The flag of Austria, known as “die Österreichische Flagge” in German, is the national flag of the Republic of Austria. It consists of three equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) and white (middle). This simple yet distinctive design is one of the oldest national flags in the world. The flag does not contain any coat of arms or other emblems in its official form, although a variant with the federal coat of arms is used for official state purposes
| White | Red | |
| HEX | #FFFFFF | #EF3340 |
| RGB | 255, 255, 255 | 239, 51, 64 |
| CMYK | 0, 0, 0, 0 | 0, 90, 76, 0 |
| Pantone | N. A. | 032 |
| RAL | N. A. | 3024 |
Meaning
The red-white-red color scheme has been associated with Austria since the Middle Ages. According to legend, the colors originate from a battle during the Third Crusade in 1191. Duke Leopold V of Austria’s white tunic was said to have been drenched in blood after the battle, leaving only a white band where his belt had been. While this story is likely apocryphal, it reflects the deep historical roots of the flag’s design.
History
The current version of the flag was officially adopted on May 1, 1945, following the end of World War II and the reestablishment of an independent Austria. It serves as a powerful symbol of Austrian identity, resilience, and continuity through centuries of historical change.
What flags are similar to the austrian national flag?
Below are the national flags that resemble the austrian national flag.
- Flag of Latvia: The flag of Latvia also consists of three horizontal stripes, from top to bottom: red, white, and red. Though the colors and design are similar, the flags represent different nations and histories, with Austria’s flag being longer-established.