Flags of Europe - The Classics

Explanation: The blue-white-red tricolor was adopted in 1794 during the French Revolution. The colors are inspired by those of Paris (blue and red) and royal white.

Explanation: The German black-red-gold comes from the uniform colors of the volunteers who fought against Napoleon in 1813. These colors symbolize unity and freedom.

Explanation: The Spanish red and yellow ("Rojigualda") dates from Charles III in 1785. The coat of arms features the blazons of the ancient kingdoms of Spain.

Explanation: The Italian green-white-red tricolor is inspired by the French flag and was adopted in 1797. Green symbolizes hope, white faith, and red charity.

Explanation: The Union Jack combines the crosses of St George (England), St Andrew (Scotland) and St Patrick (Ireland). It took its current form in 1801.

Explanation: The Portuguese green and red was adopted after the republican revolution of 1910. The armillary sphere in the center symbolizes the great Portuguese maritime discoveries.

Explanation: The yellow Scandinavian cross on a blue background dates from the 16th century, inspired by the country's coat of arms. Sweden has one of the oldest flags in the world.

Explanation: The 9 blue and white stripes of the Greek flag represent the 9 syllables of the national motto "Eleftheria i Thanatos" (Freedom or Death). The cross symbolizes the Orthodox faith.

Explanation: The Swiss white cross on a red background is one of only two square flags in the world (along with the Vatican). It traces its origins to the Holy Roman Empire.

Explanation: Adopted in 1821, the Norwegian flag combines the Scandinavian cross with the colors of France (blue, white, red), symbols of freedom. The design was proposed by Fredrik Meltzer.

Explanation: The Dutch flag is the oldest tricolor in the world, dating from 1572. Originally orange-white-blue (colors of William of Orange), the orange stripe was replaced by red in the 17th century.

Explanation: The Polish white and red have been the national colors since the 13th century. White is on top, unlike the Indonesian flag (red on top) which is otherwise nearly identical.

Explanation: The Belgian black-yellow-red vertical stripes are inspired by the coat of arms of the Duchy of Brabant and were adopted in 1831 upon Belgium's independence.

Explanation: The Irish flag is a green, white and orange tricolour. It should not be confused with the Italian flag (green, white, red) or the Bulgarian flag (white, green, red).

Explanation: The Austrian red-white-red is one of the oldest flags in the world, dating from the 13th century. According to legend, Duke Leopold V had his tunic stained with blood after the Battle of Acre, except under the belt.