Flag of Monaco

The national flag of Monaco has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; it is similar to the flag of Indonesia, which is longer, and the flag of Poland, which is white (top) and red. Red and white have been the heraldic colors of the House of Grimaldi since 1339 at least, but the design of the flag has changed with time.

Related Topics:
Flag - Monaco - Flag of Indonesia - Flag of Poland - Heraldic - House of Grimaldi - 1339

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Monaco's original flag (below left), which was similar to its current State Flag but bore an older version of its coat of arms, was in use from the principality's early days (except during its annexation to France from 1793 to 1814) until the present, simpler design was adopted on April 4, 1881.

Related Topics:
State Flag - Coat of arms - France - 1793 - 1814 - April 4 - 1881

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another design (below right), consisting simply of lozenges in the Grimaldi family colors (in heraldic terms "lozengy argent and gules"), was used at various times, particularly in the 1600s, as an unofficial flag, and still appears in some royal photographs; however, it has no designated use, and does not represent any Monegasque official in particular.

Related Topics:
Lozenge - Argent - Gules - 1600s

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~