List of German flags
This list of German flags details flags and standards that have been or are currently used by Germany between 1848 and the present.
National flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1949–present | National and merchant flag (Bundes- und Handelsflagge) | A tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and gold (bottom). | |
1950–present | State flag and ensign (Bundesdienstflagge) and military flag (Kriegsflagge). This flag may only be used by federal government authorities. | variant of the coat of arms of Germany) in the centre. The flag was originally used 1921–1933 in the Weimar Republic. While identical in heraldic terms to the original Weimar era flag, the modern exact design is slightly simplified. | |
National flag with coat of arms (Bundesflagge mit Bundeswappen). Unofficial version, the private use of which is not penalized. | |||
1997–present | Hanging national flag (Bannerflagge) | ||
1996–present | Hanging state flag |
Standards
[edit]Presidential standard
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1921–1926; since 1950 |
Standard of the president of Germany | The standard depicts the elements of the coat of arms. A version of the standard that is identical in heraldic terms, but with a slightly different exact design, was used 1926–1933. | |
1933–1935 (de facto up to 1934) | Standard of the president | ||
1926–1933 | Standard of the president | ||
1919–1921 | Flag of the president | ||
1955–1960 | Standard of the president of East Germany | ||
1953–1955 | Standard of the president of East Germany | ||
1951–1953 | Standard of the president of East Germany | ||
1950–1951 | Standard of the president of East Germany | ||
1949–1950 | Standard of the president of East Germany | ||
1960–1990 | Standard of the president of the State Council | ||
1935–1945 | Standard of the Führer |
Imperial family standards
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1871–1888 | German Emperor's Standard | ||
1888–1918 | German Emperor's Standard | ||
1871–1901 | Empress Augusta and Empress Victoria's Standard | ||
1888–1918 | Empress Augusta Viktoria's Standard | ||
1871–1888 | Standard of the Crown Prince | ||
1888–1918 | Standard of the Crown Prince | ||
1519–1556 | Another imperial banner of Charles V | A black double-headed eagle with an escutcheon of the coat of arms of Charles V on a yellow field. | |
1493–1556 | Banner of Maximilian I. Charles V continued using this banner. | A black double-headed eagle with the combined arms of Austria and Burgundy on a yellow field | |
1437–1493 | Banner of Emperor Frederick III | A black double-headed eagle with the coat of arms of Austria on a yellow field | |
c. 1430-1806 | Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor and state flag of the HRE | A black double-headed eagle with haloes on a yellow field | |
c. 1430–1806 | Another banner of the Holy Roman Emperor and state flag of the HRE | A black double-headed eagle without haloes on a yellow field | |
800–1401 | Banner of the Emperor of the Romans and of the King of Germany | An Imperial Eagle displayed with a halo sable armed and langued gules [1] |
Other standards
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1871–1918 | Royal Standard of the Emperor of Germany in Prussia (King of Prussia) | On a red field, an Iron Cross is shown. In the centre of the Iron Cross, the Imperial Eagle with a crown right on top of the eagle is shown. Around the eagle and crown, words spell the phrase: Gott mit uns, meaning: "God with us". | |
1844–1871 | Old Royal Standard of the Emperor of Germany in Prussia (King of Prussia) | ||
1871–1892 | Royal Standard of the Crown Prince of Prussia | The same as the previous flag, but on a white field, instead of a red one. | |
1835–1918 | Royal Standard of the King of Bavaria | ||
1903–1918 | Royal Standard of the Grand Duke of Hesse | ||
1903–1918 | Royal Standard of the Grand Duchess of Hesse | ||
?–1918 | Princely standard of Prince Reuss of Greiz | ||
?–1918 | Standard of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha | Featured the flag of the British Royal Family until George V's decision to change the house into Windsor. | |
1911-1918 | Princely standard of Schaumburg-Lippe | ||
1816-1837 | Royal Standard of the Kingdom of Hanover | Flag of the King of Great Britain in Hannover until Queen Victoria. |
Military
[edit]German Navy
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Ensigns | |||
1956– | War ensign and jack (Seekriegsflagge und Gösch) of the German Navy | A swallowtail variant of the state flag | |
1960–1990 | Naval ensign (Seekriegsflagge) of the Volksmarine | ||
1938–1945 | Naval ensign of Kriegsmarine | ||
1935–1938 | Naval ensign of Kriegsmarine | ||
1933–1935 | Reich war flag (Reichskriegsflagge) and marine jack | ||
1921–1933 | Reich war flag | ||
1919–1921 (never used) | Reich war flag (Reichskriegsflagge) | ||
1903–1918 (1921) | Reich war flag | ||
1892–1903 | Reich war flag (Reichskriegsflagge) | ||
1867–1892 | Imperial Navy war ensign (Kriegsflagge) | ||
1848–1852 | War ensign of the Reichsflotte | ||
1895–1918 | Naval ensign of Prussian Navy | ||
1819–1895 | Naval ensign of Prussian Navy | ||
1816–1819 | Naval ensign of Prussian Navy | ||
12th century | Naval ensign of the State of the Teutonic Order | ||
1650–1694 | Naval ensign of the Brandenburg Navy | ||
15th century | War flag of the Holy Roman Empire | Red swords crossed on top of one another on a field. The top of the field is black and the bottom of the field is white. | |
15th century | War flag of the Holy Roman Empire | A non-rectangular[clarification needed] flag depicting a black eagle on a yellow field with a red bar on top | |
c. 12th–early 14th centuries | War flag of the Holy Roman Empire | A non-rectangular flag depicting a white cross on a red field | |
Jacks | |||
1956– | War ensign and jack (Seekriegsflagge und Gösch) of the German Navy | A swallowtail variant of the state flag | |
1935–1945 | Jack of Kriegsmarine | ||
1933–1935 | Jack of Kriegsmarine | ||
1921–1933 | Marine jack (Kriegsgösch) | ||
1903–1918 (1921) | Marine jack | ||
1867–1903 | Marine jack (Kriegsschiffgösch) | ||
1848–1852 | Jack of the Reichsflotte | ||
Other | |||
1945–1947 | Flag of the German Mine Sweeping Administration | The signal pennant "8" |
Military and state flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Standard of the chancellor of Germany | A square variant of the Bundesdienstflagge with red border. | ||
1957– | Standard of inspector general of the Bundeswehr | ||
1964– | Troop colour (Truppenfahne) of the Bundeswehr | A variant of the Kriegsflagge with aspect ratio of 1:1. | |
1950–1994 | Flag of Deutsche Bundespost | ||
1950–1994 | Flag of the minister of Deutsche Bundespost | ||
1950–1994 | Flag of the president of Deutsche Bundespost | A swallowtail variant of the postal flag | |
1950–1994 | Flag of the state secretary of Deutsche Bundespost |
Non-Governmental flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1933–1943 | Flag of the Kyffhäuserbund | The red square with an iron cross and a Kyffhäuser Monument |
Civil ensign
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1949–present | Merchant flag | A tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and gold (bottom). | |
1973–1990 | Merchant flag of German Democratic Republic (Handelsflagge) | Tricolour of black, red, and yellow (same as West German colours), but bears the coat of arms of East Germany, consisting of a compass and a hammer encircled with rye | |
1959–1973 | Merchant flag of German Democratic Republic (Handelsflagge) | ||
1946–1950 | "C-Pennant" (C-Doppelstander) (provisional civil ensign) | Used during the Occupation Period to identify German ships according to international law. | |
1935–1945 | Merchant flag of German Reich variant with the Iron Cross | ||
1933–1935 | Merchant flag of German Reich (Handelsflagge) | A red field, with a white disc with a black swastika at a 45-degree angle. Disc and swastika are exactly in the centre.[citation needed] | |
1933–1935 | Merchant flag of German Reich variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) | ||
1933–1935 | Merchant flag of German Reich (Handelsflagge) | Black, white, and red horizontal tricolour. Used in conjunction with the Parteiflagge. | |
1921–1933 | Merchant flag of Weimar Republic variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) | ||
1919–1933 | Merchant flag of Weimar Republic (Handelsflagge) | ||
1896–1918 | Merchant flag variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) | ||
1871–1918 | Merchant flag of German Empire (National- und Handelsflagge) | ||
?–1918 | Merchant flag of Mecklenburg-Schwerin | ||
?–1864 | Merchant flag of Duchy of Holstein | ||
1816–1837 | Merchant flag of Kingdom of Hanover |
German Scouting flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
?–present | Flag of German Association of Guides and Scouts | ||
1965–present | Flag of Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg | ||
1931–1965 | Old flag of Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg | ||
1973–present | Flag of Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder | White logo on a blue background. |
Other youth organisations
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1946–1989 | Flag of Free German Youth | ||
1948–1990 | Flag and pennant of Ernst Thälmann Pioneer Organisation | ||
1955–1994 | Wiking-Jugend | ||
1932–1945 | Flag and pennant of Deutsches Jungvolk | ||
1926–1945 | Flags and pennant of Hitlerjugend | ||
1926–1935 | Pennants of Hitlerjugend | ||
1935–1945 | Pennant of League of German Girls | ||
1904–present | Socialist Youth of Germany – Falcons |
Sport flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1956, 1960 and 1964 | Flag of United Team of Germany at the Olympics | ||
1952–1990 | Flag of Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik | ||
1957–1990 | Flag of Deutscher Turn- und Sportbund | ||
1936–1945 | Flag of Sports Office of the Third Reich | ||
1934–1945 | Flag of Deutsche Jägerschaft | ||
1930's–1945 | Flag of German Bicycle Union |
-
Pennant for the German Bicycle Union (1930s–1945)
-
Pennant for the German Car Club (?–1945)
-
Pennant for the German Aeronautic Union (1933–1937)
-
Pennant for the German Canoeing Association (2008–present)
Vexillology Associations flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1995–present | Flag of the German Vexillological Association | ||
Flag of World Vexillological Research Institute |
Flags of German states
[edit]Flags of German districts
[edit]Flags of German municipalities
[edit]Most municipalities have unique flags. Like state flags, most of them are with either a bicolour or tricolour stipes with or without the emblem ("wappen").
Unofficial regional flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1952–present | Flags of Baden | ||
1990's–present | Flag of Franconia | ||
2006–present | Flag of Frisia | ||
1952–present | Flag of Mecklenburg | ||
1816–present | Flag of Palatinate | ||
1945–present | Flag of Pomerania | ||
?–present | Flag of Westphalia | ||
1945–present | Flag of Württemberg |
Political flags
[edit]Religious flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Flag of Evangelical Church in Germany | |||
former
| |||
1990s–2000s | Flag of Heathen Front | ||
1932–1945 | Flag of German Christians (movement) | ||
1900–c.1938 | Flag of Order of the New Templars | Golden background as a symbol of eternity, lilies as a symbol of (racial) purity, and the red swastika as a symbol of growing arioheroism. | |
1871–1918 | Old Church pennant |
Ethnic groups flags
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1989–present | Flag of East Frisians | ||
2004–present | Flag of North Frisians | ||
Flag of Plattdeutsch-speaking Germans | |||
1848–present | Flag of Sorbs | Official in Saxony. | |
1955–present | Flag of South Schleswig Danes | ||
Flag of Yenish people | |||
1829–1945 | Flag of Masurians |
Historical flags
[edit]Francia, Kingdom of Germany, and the Holy Roman Empire (800–1806)
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
c. 9th century | Imperial Oriflamme of Charlemagne. | A 3 pointed green banner with 8 golden crosses and 6 flowers. | |
c. 12th–early 14th centuries | War flag of the Holy Roman Empire | A non-rectangular flag depicting a white cross on a red field | |
1400–1523 | Imperial Pavilion of Holy Roman Empire | A non-rectangular flag depicting a black eagle on a yellow field with a red bar on top | |
1400s | War flag of the Holy Roman Empire | Red swords crossed on top of one another on a field. The top of the field is black and the bottom of the field is white. |
Teutonic Order State and Prussia (1226–1935)
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1226–1525 | Flag of the Teutonic Order State | A black cross on a white field. | |
1466–1772 | Flag of Royal Prussia | ||
1525–1701 | Flag of Ducal Prussia | ||
1701–1750 | First flag of the Kingdom in Prussia | A black eagle holding a rod and orb on a white field, a crown on top | |
1701–1935 | Civil flag of Prussia | A bicolour design – white and black, split horizontally. | |
1750–1801 | Second flag of the Kingdom in Prussia and first flag of the Kingdom of Prussia | A black eagle holding a sword and rod on a white field, a crown on top | |
1801–1803 | Second flag of the Kingdom of Prussia | ||
1803–1892 | Third flag of the Kingdom of Prussia | The same as the previous flag, but the crown in the top of the flag is smaller. | |
1816 | War flag of Prussia | A smaller black crowned eagle with yellow arm plates, a rod and orb, all on a white field with an Iron Cross in the upper-left corner | |
1892–1918 | Fourth flag of the Kingdom of Prussia | ||
1895–1918 | War flag of Prussia | A non-rectangular flag depicting an Imperial Eagle in the centre of a white field, and in the upper-left corner, an Iron Cross is shown. | |
1918–1933 | Flag of the Free State of Prussia | ||
1933–1935 | Service flag of the Free State of Prussia | The same as the previous flag, but the phrase Gott mit uns reappears, and the eagle is holding a sword and two lightning bolts. The eagle also has a National Socialist swastika on the chest. |
German Confederation (1815–1866)
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1848–1866 | Flag of the German Confederation, used in 1848–1849 and again in 1863–1866. First appeared within the Fürstentum Reuß-Greiz after 12 May 1778 (4:5 aspect ratio) | Also used by the Empire of Germany (1848–1849) |
North German Confederation (1866–1871)
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1867–1871 | National and merchant flag (National- und Handelsflagge) | A tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), white, and red (bottom) |
German Empire (1871–1918)
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1871–1918 | National and merchant flag (National- und Handelsflagge) | ||
1884–1918 | Colonial flag | ||
1903–1919 | War Ensign (Reichskriegsflagge) |
Weimar Republic (1919–1933)
[edit]Nazi Germany (1933–1945)
[edit]The flag with the swastika and white disc centered was used throughout (1920–1945) as the NSDAP flag (Parteiflagge).[2] Between 1933 and 1935, it was used as the mandotary party flag with the national black-white-red horizontal tricolour last used (up to 1918) by the German Empire. In 1935, the black-white-red horizontal tricolour was scrapped again, and the flag with the off-centre swastika and disc was instituted as the only national flag (and was to remain as such until 1945). The flag with the centered disc only continued to be used as the Parteiflagge after 1935.[citation needed]
Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Flags used 1933–1935 | |||
|
A red field, with a white disc with a black swastika at a 45-degree angle. Disc and swastika are exactly in the centre. | ||
1933–1935 |
|
Black, white, and red horizontal tricolour. Used in conjunction with the Parteiflagge. | |
1933–1935 | Merchant flag variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) | ||
1933 | Reich service flag (Reichsdienstflagge) of the Wehrmacht | ||
1933–1935 | Reich service flag | ||
1933–1935 | Flag of the Minister of Defence | ||
Flags used 1935–1945 | |||
|
A red field, with a white disc with a black swastika at a 45-degree angle. Disk and swastika are slightly off-centre. | ||
1933–1945 | Banner (Bannerflagge) of Germany | Banners were of various lengths, which were hung vertically on public buildings. | |
1933–1945 | Banner (Bannerflagge) for the Schutzstaffel | Banners that were also used by the national socialists (very rarely) along with the swastika. | |
1935–1945 | Merchant flag variant with the Iron Cross | ||
1935–1945 | Reich service flag (Reichsdienstflagge) | ||
1935–1938 | Flag of the Wehrmacht Commander in Chief (replaced the Minister of Defence) | ||
1935–1938 | Kriegsmarine, Heer, Luftwaffe | ||
1938–1945 | Kriegsmarine, Heer, Luftwaffe | ||
1935–1945 | Schutzstaffel (SS) | ||
1921–1945 | Sturmabteilung (SA) | ||
1935–1945 | National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK) | ||
1936–1945 | Flag of the Ordnungspolizei (OrPo) ("Order Police", the national regular police organization of National Socialist Germany) |
World War II aftermath in Germany
[edit]Allied Control Council (1945–1949) and Saar Protectorate
Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1946–1950 | "C-Pennant" (C-Doppelstander) (provisional civil ensign) | Used during the Occupation Period to identify German ships according to international law. | |
1947–1957 | Flag of Saar Protectorate | Flag of Saarland which was given by French Government. At this time period the Saar was a satellite state of France. |
East Germany (1949–1990)
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1949–1959 | State flag (Staatsflagge) | ||
1959–1990 | State flag (Staatsflagge) 1959–1990 Merchant flag (Handelsflagge) 1973–1990 |
Tricolour of black, red, and yellow (same as West German colours), but bears the coat of arms of East Germany, consisting of a compass and a hammer encircled with rye | |
1963–1990 | Hanging state flag (Bannerflagge) | ||
1955–1973 | Flag of East German Post | ||
1975–1990 | Flag of East German Post | ||
1960–1990 | Flag of the National People's Army (Nationale Volksarmee or NVA) | ||
1960–1990 | Regimental colours (Truppenfahne) of Nationale Volksarmee | ||
1962–1990 | Flag of boats of the Border Troops |
Baden-Württemberg
[edit]Baden
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1891–1918 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Baden | ||
1862–1891 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Baden | ||
1855–1862 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Baden | ||
1848–1855 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Baden | ||
1803-1848 | Flag of Electorate of Baden and Grand Duchy of Baden | ||
medieval–1803 | Banner of the Margraviate of Baden |
Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1576–1850 | Flag of the Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen |
Leyen
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1806–1814 | Flag of the Principality of Leyen | ||
until 1798 | Flag of the County of Adendorf |
Württemberg
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1817–1918 | Flag of Kingdom of Württemberg | ||
1803–1816 | Flag of Electorate of Württemberg and the first flag of the Kingdom of Württemberg | ||
medieval–1803 | Banner of Duchy of Württemberg |
Bavaria
[edit]Bavaria
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1945–1949 | Flag of American Zone | Flag of the United States | |
1918 | Flag of Bavarian Soviet Republic | Red flag | |
1805–1918 | Flag of Kingdom of Bavaria | ||
1623–1806 | Banner of Electorate of Bavaria | ||
1505–1623 | Banner of Duchy of Bavaria | ||
1392–1505 | Banner of Bavaria-Munich | ||
1353–1392 | Banner of Bavaria-Landshut |
Other countries in today's Bavarian lands
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1105–1191 | Banner of Burgraviate of Nuremberg under the Raabs | ||
1398–1791 | Hohenzollern banner of Principalitys of Ansbach and Bayreuth | ||
1803–1810 | Flag of Principality of Regensburg | ||
1805–1814 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Würzburg |
Brandenburg
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1660–1750 | Flag of Margraviate of Brandenburg | ||
c. 1684 | Flag of Margraviate of Brandenburg | ||
1340–1657 | Banner of Margraviate of Brandenburg-Küstrin |
East Frisia
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
?–1835 | Flag of Lordship of Kniphausende | ||
1702–1751 | Flag of Lordship of Kniphausen | ||
1689–1702 | Banner of Lordship of Kniphausen |
Hesse
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1919–1923 | Flag of Free State of Bottleneck | ||
1806–1918 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Hesse | ||
1806–1866 | Flag of Duchy of Nassau | ||
?–1806 | Flag of Nassau-Usingen | ||
?–1866 | Flag of Free City of Frankfurt | ||
1810–1813 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Frankfurt | ||
1806–1815 | Flag of County of Isenburg | ||
1807–1813 | Flag of Kingdom of Westphalia |
Lower Saxony
[edit]Brunswick
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1830–1918 | Flag of Duchy of Brunswick | ||
1814–1830 | Flag of Duchy of Brunswick |
Hanover
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1946 | Flag of State of Hanover | ||
1814–1866 | Flag of Kingdom of Hanover | ||
1692–1814 | Flag of Electorate of Hanover |
Oldenburg
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1815–1918 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Oldenburg | Flag proportions: 3:5 Cross proportions: 9-6-9:12-6-22 | |
1810–1815 | Flag of First French Empire | ||
1774–1810 | Flag of Duchy of Oldenburg | Flag proportions: 3:5 Cross proportions: 9-6-9:17-6-17 | |
?–1774 | Flag of County of Oldenburg |
Schaumburg-Lippe
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1647–1918 | Flag of Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe |
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1813–1918 1864–1918 |
Flag of Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz | ||
1630–1815 | Flag of Swedish Pomerania | Flag of Sweden |
North Rhine-Westphalia
[edit]Lippe
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1880–1918 | Flag of Principality of Lippe | ||
c.1858–1880 | Flag of Principality of Lippe | ||
1811–1814 | Flag of department of Lippe | Flag of France |
Other
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1945–1949 | Flag of British occupation zone in Germany | Union Flag | |
1923 | Flag of Rhenish Republic | ||
1806–1808 | Flag of Grand Duchy of Berg | ||
1803–1810 | Flag of Arenberg | ||
1803–1806 | Flag of County of Dülmen | ||
1798–1811 | Flag of County of Dülmen | ||
1797–1802 | Flag of Cisrhenian Republic | ||
1770–1803 | Flag of Prince-Bishopric of Münster | ||
1166–1801 | Flag of Free Imperial City of Aachen |
Rhineland-Palatinate
[edit]Palatinate
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
before 1604–1776 | Flag of Electorate of the Palatinate | ||
1604–? | Flag of Electorate of the Palatinate |
Mainz
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
medieval–1803 | Banner of the Electorate of Mainz |
Trier
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
medieval–1801 | Banner of the Electorate of Trier |
Saarland
[edit]Palatinate
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1947–1956 | Flag of Saar Protectorate | ||
1920–1935 | Flag of Territory of the Saar Basin | ||
1798–1814 | Flag of department of Sarre | Flag of France |
Saxony
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1945–1949 | Flag of Soviet occupation zone of Germany | Flag of the Soviet Union | |
1815–1918 | Flag of Kingdom of Saxony | ||
1356–1806 | Electoral flag of Electorate of Saxony | ||
10th cent.–1806 | State flag of Electorate of Saxony | ||
around 950 | Saxon flag by the House of Ascania; associated for the Saxon Ostmark and battleflag for the Saxon Eastern March |
Saxony-Anhalt
[edit]Anhalt
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1806–1918 | Flag of Duchy of Anhalt |
Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1252–1468, 1603–1863 1396–1561, 1603–1863 1396–1562, 1603–1853 |
Flag of Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen |
Schleswig-Holstein
[edit]Heligoland
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1945–1952 | Flag of British occupation zone in Germany | Union Flag | |
1807–1890 | Flag of British Heligoland | ||
1807–1890 | Government Ensign of British Heligoland | ||
1807–1890 | Flag of the Lieutenant-Governor of British Heligoland |
Holstein
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
?–1864 | Civil Ensign of Duchy of Holstein |
Lübeck
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
medieval–1918 | Flag of Free City of Lübeck |
Saxe-Lauenburg
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1814–1876 | Flag of Saxe-Lauenburg |
Schleswig
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
?–1866 | Flag of Duchy of Schleswig |
Thuringia
[edit]Reuss
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1806–1918 | Flag of Principality of Reuss-Gera | ||
1778–1918 | Flag of Principality of Reuss-Greiz |
Saxe-Altenburg
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1893–1918 | Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg |
Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1911–1920 | Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | ||
?–1826 | Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Hildburghausen |
Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1680–1826 | Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg |
Saxe-Meiningen
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1826–1918 | Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen |
Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1897–1918 | Flag of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach | ||
1813–1897 | Flag of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach |
Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1599–1918 | Flag of Principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen |
Other
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1989–1990 | Defaced state flag | Used by supporters of German reunification in East Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. | |
1924–1933 1953 |
Flag of the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold | The Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold was an unofficial republican paramilitary organization dominated by social democrats, liberals, and members of the Catholic Centre Party, to defend the Weimar Republic against National Socialists, communists, and monarchists. Refounded in 1953 as an association for political education. | |
1914-1919 | Spartacus League | ||
1816 | Flag of Urburschenschaft | ||
1609–1635 | Banner of the Catholic League | ||
1539 | Banner of the Peasants' army | ||
medieval | Banner of the Swabian League |
Historic flag proposals
[edit]Note: Ottfried Neubecker's proposal of 1919 and those of Josef Wirmer in 1944 and of his brother Ernst in 1948 are clearly modeled on the Nordic Cross flags used in all Nordic countries – the flags of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland all having the same horizontal cross, though differing in colour.
Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1817 | German unification flag at Wartburg Festival | ||
1832 | German unification flag at Hambach Festival | ||
1926 | Ottfried Neubecker's Proposal | ||
1944 | Proposal for the flag of Germany after 1944 military coup d'état by Josef Wirmer; later considered for adoption by the Constitutional Convention at Herrenchiemsee (Wirmer flag) | ||
1948 | Proposal for the flag for West Germany, based on Josef Wirmer's 1944 design, created by his brother, Ernst | ||
1948 | Proposal for the flag for West Germany by Paul Wentzcke, based on 1848 republican designs | ||
1948 | Proposal for the flag for West Germany by Edwin Redslob | ||
1948 | Proposal for a national flag, by Robert Lehr |
Nazi Germany occupations (1939–1945)
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1940 | Proposal flag for General Government of occupied Poland | Flag proposal for the newly General Government, known only from the description.[4] | |
1939–1945 | Unofficial flag of New Swabia | Flag of Reichskolonialbund and common flag for all German colonies during the Nazi period, in practice only for the New Swabia. |
German colonial empire (1884–1918)
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1914 | Proposal for German East Africa | The flags of the German overseas colonies were first proposed in 1914, but were never implemented due to the breakout of World War I. | |
Proposal for German Kamerun | |||
Proposal for German New Guinea | |||
Proposal for German Samoa | |||
Proposal for German South-West Africa | |||
Proposal for German Togoland |
House Flags
[edit]German shipping company
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Aug. Bolten Wm. Miller’s Nachfolger | |||
?–present | Bossler shipping companies | ||
1819–present | F. A. Vinnen & Co.de | ||
1871–present | Hamburg Süd | ||
1920–present | Hugo Stinnes Schiffahrt | ||
1901–present | Johann M. K. Blumenthalde | ||
1903–present | Leonhardt & Blumbergde | ||
1920–present | Ludwig & Jakob Götzde | ||
1928–present | Reederei Baltrum-Liniede | ||
1900–present | Reederei Warringsde | ||
1982–present | Rickmers Group | ||
?–present | Schiffswerft Philipp Ebert und Söhnede | ||
1890–present | Unterweser Reedereide | ||
1946–present | Waibel KGde | ||
1885–present | Wyker Steamship Shipping Company Föhr-Amrumde | ||
1896–1922 | Argo Reedereide | ||
1899–1969 | A. Kirstende | ||
1875–2018 | Cassens-Werftde | ||
1872–1926 | Deutsche Dampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft Kosmosde | ||
1890–1942 | Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linie | ||
1881–1980 | DDG Hansa | ||
1873–1974 | D. G. Neptunde | ||
1821–1918 | D. H. Wätjen & Co.de | ||
1889–1970 | Deutsche Levante-Liniede | ||
1898–1931 | Emil R. Retzlaff | ||
1970s | Fendel-Stinnes | ||
1958–1973 and 1991–1997 | Hamburg Atlantic Line | ||
1847–1970 | Hamburg America Line | ||
1887–1939 | Hamburg-Bremen-Africa-linede | ||
1907–1920s | Hugo Stinnes Linien GmbH | ||
1884–1914 | Jantzen & Thormählen | ||
1850–1879 | Liniendienst von Joh. Ces. Godeffroy & Sohn | ||
1924–1990 | Lübeck Liniede | ||
1808–? | Mathias Stinnesde | ||
1857–1970 | Norddeutscher Lloyd | ||
1882–2018 | Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs-Rhedereide | ||
1869–1967 | Reederei Robert Meyhoeferde | ||
1905–1959 | Roland-Liniede | ||
1885–1942 | Woermann-Linie |
German Chartered company
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1882–1898 | German New Guinea Company | ||
1884–1920 | German East Africa Company | ||
1884–1885 | |||
1885–1903 | German West African Company | ||
1875–1939 | Hernsheim & Co | ||
1887 | Jaluit Societyde | ||
1888–? | |||
1878–1887 | German trading and plantation company from the South Sea Islands |
Other companies
[edit]Flag | Date | Use | Description |
---|---|---|---|
1935–1937 | Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei | ||
1904–? | East African Railway Society |
German yacht clubs
[edit]Flag | Club |
---|---|
Academic Sailing Club in Kielde | |
Blankeneser Segel-Clubde | |
Flensburger Segel-Clubde | |
Seebrucker Regatta-Verein | |
Segelclub Rhe | |
Segler Verein Wörthsee | |
Segler-Gemeinschaft Utting e.V. | |
Seglervereinigung 1903 Berlin | |
Spandauer Yacht-Clubde | |
Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee | |
Württembergischer Yacht Club | |
Yacht-Club Bad Wiessee e.V. | |
The German Sea Sports Association HANSAde | |
AYC-StAGde | |
Hamburger Segel-Club | |
Kaiserlicher Yacht Club | |
Kieler Yacht-Club | |
Lübecker Yacht-Club | |
Marine-Regatta-Verein | |
Norddeutscher Regatta Verein | |
Yacht-Club Nürnbergde | |
Segel-Club Oberhavelde | |
Sailing Fellowship "The Coat of Arms of Bremen"de | |
Segel-Motorboot-Club Friedrichshafende | |
Stander ASV zu Halle | |
Segel-Club "Ahoi"de | |
Sailing club "Weser"de | |
Water Sports Club 1921de | |
Weser Yacht Club Bremerhavende | |
Yacht-Club von Deutschland (Burgee) | |
National Socialist Flyers Corps (NSFK) | |
Feldgendarmerie (Field Military Police) | |
Yacht-Club von Deutschland (Ensign) |
References
[edit]- ^ "Flags of the Holy Roman Empire", Wikipedia, 2020-09-24, retrieved 2021-01-25
- ^ a b c (in German) Herzfeld, Andreas (June 2001). "Einige unbekannte Flaggenänderungen 1933–1945". Der Flaggenkurier (in German) (13). Hennigsdorf: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Flaggenkunde: 17–23. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17.
- ^ Nazi German merchant ensign (1935-1945)
- ^ "German-Occupied Territories 1939-1945".