# Flag anthem

A flag anthem is a patriotic song or ode dedicated to a flag, usually one of a country (in which case it is also known as a national flag anthem). It is often either sung or performed during or immediately before the raising or lowering of a flag during a ceremony. Most countries use their respective national anthems or some other patriotic song for this purpose. However, some countries, particularly in South America, use a distinct flag anthem for such purposes. Not all countries have flag anthems. Some used them in the past but no longer do, such as Iran and South Africa. Flag anthems can be officially codified in law, or unofficially recognized as such through mere custom and convention. In some countries, the flag anthem may be just another song, and in others, it may be an official symbol of the state akin to a second national anthem, such as in the Republic of China (Taiwan).

## List of flag anthems

| Country | Song | Year | Writer | Composer | Notes |
| Bolivia | "El Himno a la Bandera" | 1947 | Ricardo Mujía | Manuel Benavente | |
| Brazil | "Hino à Bandeira Nacional" | 1906 | Olavo Bilac | Francisco Braga | |
| Costa Rica | "Saludo a la Bandera" | 1946 | Porfirio Brenes Castro | José Joaquín Vargas Calvo | |
| Dominican Republic | "El Himno a la Bandera" | | Ramon Emilio Jimenez | | |
| Ecuador | "El Himno a la Bandera" | 1936 | Ángel Rivadeneira Pérez | Ángel Rivadeneira Pérez | |
| Estonia | "Eesti lipp" | 1922 (music), 1897 (lyrics) | Martin Lipp | Enn Võrk | |
| Finland | "Lippulaulu" | 1927 | V.A. Koskenniemi | Yrjö Kilpinen | Title literally means "Flag song" in English; song is also known as "Siniristilippumme". |
| Indonesia | "Berkibarlah Benderaku" | 1950 | Ibu Soed | | |
| Italy | "Onori e Inno Nazionale" | 1847 | No lyrics | Michele Novaro | Essentially an abridged version of the Italian national anthem played with ruffles and flourishes beforehand and omitting the introductory section. The song concludes where the bridge of the national anthem would otherwise begin. Alternatively known as "Alzabandiera". |
| Japan | "Hinomaru no hata" | 1911 | Takano Tatsuyuki | Teiichi Okano | |
| Malaysia | "Jalur Gemilang" | 1997 | Siso Kopratasa | Pak Ngah | |
| Netherlands | "Het Vlaggelied" | 1863 (lyrics), 1853 (music) | Jan Pieter Heije | Wilhelmus Smits | |
| North Korea | "Our National Flag" | 2019 | Lee Hui-jeong | Kim Kang-nam | |
| Norway | "Flaggappell" | ext. 2002 | | | |
| Paraguay | "Himno a la Bandera" | 1944 | Mauricio Cardozo Ocampo | Mauricio Cardozo Ocampo | |
| Switzerland | "Fahnenmarsch" | | | | |
| Republic of China | "National Flag Anthem of the Republic of China " | 1936 (music), 1937 (lyrics) | disputed | Huang Tzu | The author of the lyrics is disputed, though it is usually attributed to Tai Chi-tao. An alternate title is "青天白日滿地紅", which means "The clear blue sky, white sun, and a wholly red ground". Due to political complications, this song is often played at international sporting events involving Taiwan in place of the National Anthem of the Republic of China. |
| United States | "You're a Grand Old Flag" | 1906 | George M. Cohan | | |
| Uruguay | "Mi Bandera" | 1939 | Nicolás Bonomi | José Usera | |

### Former flag anthems

| Country | Song | Used | Writer | Composer | Notes |
| Iran | "Sorude Parcam" | Until 1979 | Mohamad Haschim Afsar [fa] | Davood Najmi Moghaddam | Title literally means "Flag song" in English; tune also used in the Iranian royal anthem and national anthem of the time. |
| South Africa | "Vlaglied" | 1961–1994 | Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven | F.J. Joubert [af] | Title literally means "Flag song" in English; also known alternatively as "Ons eie vlag". |