Flag of Austria

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Civil Flag Ratio: 2:3

State Flag Ratio: 2:3

The flag of Austria has three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red.

[edit] History

Together with the Danish flag, the Austrian flag is said to be among the oldest national flag designs in the world.

According to legend, the flag was invented by Duke Leopold V of Austria (1157-1194) while he was involved in a fierce battle during the Crusades. After the Siege of Acre, his white battledress was completely drenched in blood, but when he removed his belt the cloth underneath was untouched by it. So taken was he by this singular sight that he adopted the colours and scheme as his banner.

In fact, the flag was designed in the 13th century by Frederick II, Duke of Austria (1210-1246; known as 'Frederick the Quarrelsome'), the last of the Babenberg dynasty. Frederick sought greater independence from the Holy Roman Emperor. To this end, he had a new coat of arms designed: a red field with a silver fess. The oldest source for the new flag is contained in a seal kept in the monastery of Lilienfeld (Lower Austria), dated November 30, 1230. However, the red and white flag did not become the national flag of Austria until 1919.

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Flags of Europe

Albania · Andorra · Armenia² · Austria · Azerbaijan¹ · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus² · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Georgia¹ · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy · Kazakhstan¹ · Latvia · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Republic of Macedonia · Malta · Moldova · Monaco · Montenegro · Netherlands · Norway · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia¹ · San Marino · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Turkey¹ · Ukraine · United Kingdom · Vatican City

Dependencies, autonomies and other territories
Abkhazia¹ · Adjara² · Åland · Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Crimea · Faroe Islands · Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey · Nagorno-Karabakh² · Nakhichevan² · Transnistria · Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus^2, 3

¹ Has significant territory in Asia. ² Entirely in West Asia, but considered European for cultural, political and historical reasons. ³ Only recognised by Turkey.

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