Flag of Austria
Civil Flag Ratio: 2:3
State Flag Ratio: 2:3The Flag of Austria has three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red.
The flag was adopted by Frederick II of Austria the Quarrelsome, the last of the Babenberg dynasty, as Duke of Austria in the 13th century.
According to legend, Duke Leopold V of Austria (1157-1194) was involved in a fierce battle during the Crusades. After the battle of Acre his white battledress was completely drenched in blood. When he removed his belt the cloth underneath was untouched by the blood. So taken was he by the singular sight he adopted the colours and scheme as his banner.
In reality it was Duke Frederick II (1210-1246) who 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.
Together with the Danish flag the Austrian flag is said to be among the oldest national flag designs in the world.
External links
- Flags of the World: Austria (http://atlasgeo.span.ch/fotw/flags/at.html)
- The Symbols of Austria (http://peter-diem.at/default_e.htm)
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de:Flagge Österreichs
et:Austria lipp
fr:Drapeau de l'Autriche
it:Bandiera austriaca
he:דגל אוסטריה
ja:オーストリアの国旗
pt:Bandeira da Áustria
ro:Steagul Austriei