Flag of Switzerland

The national flag of Switzerland shows a white Greek cross in the middle of a red square background. This white cross is called the Swiss cross or federal cross. It is special because it has equal arms, and the size of the cross compared to the red background was set in 2017.

The white cross has been a symbol of Switzerland for many centuries. It was first used by soldiers from the Old Swiss Confederacy in the late 1200s or early 1300s. In 1889, leaders said it stands for both the Christian cross symbol and the old group of Swiss states.

Besides Switzerland, only Vatican City has a square flag, making the Swiss flag unique. Ships and airplanes in Switzerland often use a rectangular version of the flag with a 2:3 shape. The symbol of the Red Cross is the Swiss flag with the colors reversed, red on white.

Design

Further information: Coat of arms of Switzerland § Design

The Swiss flag shows a white cross on a square red background. The cross has arms that are all the same size and are a little longer than they are wide.

Swiss Standard German uses the word Fahne for the flag, different from the word Flagge used in Germany. The flag's name in Swiss German is Schweizerfahne.

The flag is described in English as, "Gules, a cross coupée argent."

Proportions

The way the cross looks has been fixed since 1889, but how big the cross is compared to the whole flag was not officially set until 2017.

The rule now says the space around the cross should be the same width as the arms of the cross. This makes the total height of the cross 5 parts out of 8 parts of the flag's height. This guide is also used by the Swiss Armed Forces. Many flags still use bigger crosses than this rule says, like sizes of about 77% or 71% of the flag.

For special flags used on ships, the cross is 5 parts out of 8 parts of the flag's height, making it 5 parts out of 12 parts of the flag's width.

Colors

Further information: Gules

Before 2017, the exact red colour of the flag was not written down by law. Now, the law says the flag should be a pure red, with specific colour values.

History

The white cross on the Swiss flag has several stories about where it began. Some say it comes from the Theban Legion, others from the Reichssturmfahne (Imperial War Banner) from the 1200s, and some believe it comes from the Arma Christi that were important in the three forest cantons. King Rudolph I of Habsburg allowed these cantons to use the white cross on a red flag in 1289.

The white cross was first used to help soldiers recognize each other in battle. It was first seen in the Battle of Laupen in 1339, where it was sewn onto clothing. Later, in the Battle of Arbedo in 1422, Swiss forces used a red flag with a white cross. This cross was not just for soldiers; it also appeared on flags of individual cantons.

In 1540, the Swiss mentioned using a red flag with a white cross to help their friends in Rottweil. After this, the cross became a symbol of Switzerland, even though it wasn’t the official flag yet. During times of peace, the cross was used on medals and other symbols.

When Switzerland was ruled by France, the old flags were replaced, but after independence, the white cross returned. In 1815, leaders chose the white cross in a red field as an official symbol. By 1848, when Switzerland became a federal state, the white cross was widely used, especially by troops. Today, the Swiss flag is a square red field with a white cross in the center, and this design was officially set in 2013.

Use in Switzerland

Private use

People in Switzerland often fly the flag from their homes and businesses to show love for their country, especially in the countryside. On Swiss National Day each year, August 1st, many buildings and streets are decorated with Swiss flags and banners.

The Swiss flag is now more commonly seen on clothes and products, especially with a fashion trend called "Swissness" that started in the early 2000s. The flag and coat of arms are used on many items, like high-quality goods and souvenirs. For example, the logo of Victorinox, the maker of Swiss Army knives and the only supplier to the Swiss army, is based on the Swiss coat of arms.

Official use

Public buildings at the federal, cantonal, and municipal levels do not follow a single rule for displaying the flag. Many have flagpoles for the federal, cantonal, and municipal flags, but they might only fly them part of the year or just on National Day. In Bern, the flag flies on top of the Federal Palace when the Federal Assembly is meeting.

Legal protection

Damaging or disrespecting a Swiss, cantonal, or municipal flag or coat of arms that is placed by a public authority can lead to fines or up to three years in prison, according to federal law.

Using the Swiss cross, flag, or coat of arms for business purposes was officially banned by a 1931 law, but this was not strictly enforced. Because of more commercial use, new rules called the "Swissness regulation" were introduced in 2017. The "Coat of Arms Protection Act" of 2017 now stops the commercial use of the Swiss coat of arms (shown as "a Swiss cross in a triangular shield"). Using the Swiss flag for business is allowed as long as it is not misleading or against public policy, morality, or the law. There are also rules allowing continued use of trademarks registered before 2010.

Influence

See also: Red Cross (symbol) § Relationship to the flag of Switzerland

The Red Cross symbol used by the International Committee of the Red Cross is a red cross on white. This symbol was first used at the first Geneva Convention in 1864. It was made by changing the colors of the Swiss flag to honor Switzerland, where the convention was held. The person who helped start the Geneva Convention was a Swiss man named Henry Dunant.

The modern banner of the Pontifical Swiss Guard was designed between 1912 and 1914. It uses a Swiss cross design from old flags of the Swiss Guards. It also includes the coat of arms of the pope and another important coat of arms.