From grueling battles on the battlefield to finally being represented in the United Nations — the oldest flags in the world have survived it all. We aren’t talking here about the red flags in people. A flag can represent a nation without saying a single word. They tell years of history through visual aspects. However, not every flag has survived the test of time. When it comes to the label of the oldest flag, design and meaning to the nation play an important role in survivability.
The design of the flag is the first thing that catches the eye. The catchier the flag — the longer it will stay as a flag. The oldest flag in the world, Denmark’s, practically pioneered the use of the Nordic cross in 1219. This design, simple yet unique in a way, was later adopted by other Nordic countries, like Sweden and Finland. Denmark has stuck to this flag since 1625 when it was officially adopted. However, the design has changed due to the flag's meaning. The perfect example of it would be the Stars and Stripes of the United States. Adopted in 1777, this national flag was changed slightly over the years. As the nation grew, the flag got filled with more stars. Yet, the main design and meaning of it stayed the same.
Want to find out more about the oldest country flag, a.k.a Denmark’s Nordic cross, or see who survived the test of time? We’ve got you covered. We have compiled some of the oldest national flags used today in the list below. Some of them are more eye-catching than others, so be sure to upvote the ones you liked. Since the flags are rich in history, share your knowledge in the comments below.
#1 Denmark (First Used 1219)
Holding the record for being the longest continuously used flag, this one likely pioneered the Nordic cross. With a white cross on a red background, the flag represents battle and the peace that comes after it. Also, the flag is said to be first used in the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219, when it fell on the Danish.
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#2 Japan (First Used 701)
The land of the rising sun, Japan, is perfectly captured in the national flag known as Hinomaru. While the symbolism of the rising sun was used since the 7th century, the flag version was only used later. According to some Japanese history books, the Hinomaru was first used by Emperor Monmu during the New Year celebrations.
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#3 Scotland (First Used 13th Or 14th Century)
Whereas the Northern countries prefer to use a cross horizontally on their flags, Scotland uses it another way. The Scottish national flag utilizes a white diagonal cross on a blue background. The design dates back as early as the 13th century. It is also an important element of the Union Jack.
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#4 Austria (First Used 1230)
Austria's flag, the second oldest in use, was used firstly as a symbol of the Babenberg dynasty. However, in the middle ages when the Habsburgs took over the region, the Austrian flag of white and red was left in use. Its meaning was so closely associated with Austria that no matter what dynasty ruled it, the flag stayed in place
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#5 Ukraine (First Used 1848)
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#6 Netherlands (First Used 1572)
The Netherlands flag represents the change from a monarchy system to a more democratic one. Besides being the oldest continuous flag to use the tricolored design, it also inspired other nations, like France and Russia. Since the 16th century, the flag has seen some changes, color-wise, like changing the top from orange to red.
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#7 Nepal (First Used 1743)
Nepal has one of the strangest and most unique flags in the world. Combining two pennons, the flag of Nepal can stand out among the sea of rectangles by its design alone. First used in 1743, it was only officially adopted in 1962, when the new constitutional government was formed in Nepal.
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#8 Sweden (First Used 1562)
According to mythology, the flag of Sweden we know today appeared to King Eric IX when he landed in Finland during the First Swedish Crusade. Seems like the Swedish stole the story from the Danish, or was it the other way around? Nevertheless, the golden cross in a blue field has been used since the 1560s by the royalty of the kingdom.
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#9 Latvia (First Used 1279)
Latvia’s flag came to fruition due to a war the Latgalians were involved in. As the legend goes, when the Latgalians chief got wrapped in a white sheet, the sides got soaked in his blood, and the middle was left untouched. The national flag was officially adopted in 1921, and it symbolizes the readiness of the Latvian people.
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#10 Italy (First Used 1796)
It seems like the French did a lot to help create the Italian flag that they use even today. Drawing inspiration from the French tricolor design scheme, the Italians added their color into the mix. They replaced the blue color with green. In 1796, the colors of the 1789 tricolor cockade were used to design an official flag.
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#11 Albania (First Used 1443)
While the design might have changed over the years, the meaning of the Albanian flag stayed the same… for the most part. While the red represents bravery and blood, the blackbird in the middle symbolizes Albania as a country. While it was used in 1443, it was officially adopted in 1912, when Albania freed itself from the Ottoman Empire.
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#12 Switzerland (First Used 1470)
The Swiss flag is as neutral as the country itself — a white cross in the field of red. The design was used by the Old Swiss Confederations as far back as 1470. The flag symbolizes Christianity (hence the cross) and pays homage to the old confederation. The Swiss flag is one of the only two to be square.
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#13 United Kingdom (First Used 1801)
The Union Jack is the perfect example of a coalition of symbols. First used in 1801, when the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland united, the Union Jack represented all of the essential members of the Empire. The saltires of St Patrick and St Andrew represent Ireland and Scotland, while the red cross of Saint George symbolizes England and Wales.
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#14 Georgia (First Used 1008)
The flag of Georgia plays into the religious elements perfectly, especially with the crosses. Their flag, known for its five crosses, was used since 1008 with the formation of the Kingdom of Georgia. As time passed, the design changed slightly, and the 1008 version, albeit changed, is still in use by the Georgia nation.
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#15 Spain (First Used 1785)
Since the Spanish were known for their armada, it was only natural for their navy to play a role in the creation of the flag. The Bandera de España was first used as a naval ensign in 1785. Initially, Antonio Valdés y Bazán presented Charles III of Spain with 12 designs, one of which was the current flag we know today.
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#16 France (First Used 1794)
While the Netherlands might have pioneered the tricolor scheme, it was the French that popularized it in the world. With blue, white, and red colors, the flag symbolizes the rebellion against the autocratic standards of the past. This tricolor scheme design was first used in 1794 as a naval ensign.
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#17 Greece (First Used 1822)
Before it was officially accepted by the government, the Greek flag was used as a naval ensign since 1822. The flag consists of nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white and a blue square with a white cross inside. The stripes are usually associated with the sky and sea of Greece.
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#18 Poland (First Used 1831)
Consisting of two white and red bands, the Polish flag looks very similar to the Indonesian one, only reversed. These colors were associated with Poland since the middle ages and were officially adopted in 1831. When the nation gained its independence, the flag design was again used.
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#19 Tonga (First Used 1674)
Before even becoming a country, Tonga already had a flag of theirs in the form of the English Red Ensign. This flag, a white rectangle with a cross in the corner of a red background, was first used in 1674. In 1875, the flag design was made official in the constitution, and it was not allowed to change.
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#20 Russia (First Used 1696)
Borrowing the design from the Dutch, the Russian flag was first used by merchant ships in 1696. In 1896, the white, blue, and red tricolor flags replaced the black, yellow, and white design of the Russian Empire until 1923. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the flag was once again returned to use in 1991.
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