Switzerland Flag - All about Swiss Flag - colors, meaning, information & history WORLD FLAGS Switzerland National Flag - Information The national flag of Switzerland consists of a white cross on a red field. The four arms of the white cross should be of equal length and one and a sixth times as long as they are wide Switzerland Flag - Colors - meaning and symbolism Red represents blood spilled to uphold the faith White cross symbolizes Christianity Switzerland Flag - History, Facts & information for kids In 1291, three cantons - Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden - joined together to form the Swiss confederacy. Schwyz used a flag that is based on the imperial war flag of the Holy Roman Empire, which bore a white cross on red. The Swiss Confederation began using Schwyz's flag during and after the Battle of Laupen (1339) Though the flag was being used as the Swiss national flag for over 500 years, it was officially established as the national flag on December 12, 1889 War flag of the Holy Roman Empire Switzerland Flag - History, Facts & information for kids Following the heraldic tradition, Swiss flags on land are square in proportion.

Switzerland Flag is one of only two square sovereign-state flags in the world (the other being the flag of Vatican City) When used on water (at sea or on the vessels plying in Swiss lakes), the ratio of the size of the cross to the height is 5:8, and to the length is 5:12 and the flag can be of rectangular proportion with 2:3 or 7:10 dimensions Switzerland Flag - Red Cross Symbol The Red Cross symbol used by the International Committee of the Red Cross, a red cross on white background, was the original protection symbol declared at the first Geneva Convention, the Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field of 1864. According to the ICRC the design was based on the Swiss flag by reversing of the colours of that flag, in order to honor Switzerland, where the first Geneva Convention was held, and its inventor and co-founder, the Swiss Henry Dunant. Switzerland Flag - Red Cross Symbol Switzerland Flag pictures Switzerland This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website Switzerland Description of the flag Gules, a cross couped argent.

On a red field, a white equilateral cross whose arms are one sixth longer than their width. The relationship between the span of the cross and the width of the flag has not been established, but in practice the ratio is about 2:3 or 7:10. The relative dimensions of the cross are defined in Article 1 of Federal Order #111 on the arms of the Helvetic Confederation (12 December 1889). Unlike most flags of the world, the Swiss flag is square. This was an issue when Switzerland joined the UN in 2002, as all the flags displayed on UN Plaza should have the same size. The UN first had a rectangular flag, but the Swiss mission protested. Eventually the UN accepted a Swiss square flag. But, in order to have a flag that is not too small, the flag displayed on UN Plaza has the same area of a rectangular flag. Pascal Gross Source: [ pay00 ] (left), [ neu39 ] (right) The ratio between of the cross span to the flag width is not established by law, but these two layouts show how common practice may have changed over time.

The flag on the left (from Album 2000 [ pay00 ]) has a ratio of 20�32=62.5%, while the flag on the right (from Flaggenbuch 1939 [ neu39 ]) has a ratio of 80�110=72.7%. In both cases, the 6:7 ratio specified in 1889 that defines the relative dimensions of the white cross is retained. The divisions along an edge of the 2000 version (6-7-6-7-6) are the same as those along the shorter axis of the Swiss naval ensign , whose construction details were set by law in 1953. Željko Heimer, 30 January 2003 The protocol manual for the London 2012 Olympics ( Flags and Anthems Manual London 2012 ) provides recommendations for national flag designs. Each NOC was sent an image of the flag, including the PMS shades, for their approval by LOCOG. Once this was obtained, LOCOG produced a 60 x 90 cm version of the flag for further approval.

So, while these specs may not be the official, government, version of each flag, they are certainly what the NOC believed the flag to be. For Switzerland: PMS 485 red. The vertical flag is simply the horizontal version turned 90 degrees clockwise (in 3:5 / 5:3 format, of course, like all Olympic flags). Ian Sumner, 10 October 2012 Symbolism of the flag The Swiss cross on a red field ultimately derives from a similar banner of the Holy Roman Empire, and thus has strong Christian connotations. The Swiss flag traditionally stands for freedom, honour and fidelity. (The motto "Honor et Fidelitas" was inscribed on the cross of several Swiss mercenary flags of the 18th century.) In modern times, through association with consistent Swiss policy, the flag has also come to denote neutrality, democracy, peace and refuge. See also an article from Constuire , reporting views of Swiss citizens on the meaning of the national flag. History of the flag While Swiss independence and democracy traditionally dates from 1291, people are often surprised to learn that the national flag in its current form dates only from 1889.

Modern variations of the flag can be said to go back to 1815, and the original Confederate white cross on a red field dates from the 15th century. Its inspiration perhaps goes back to the 4th century. Some have postulated that the Swiss flag owes its origin to the vexillum of the Theban Legion of the ancient Roman empire, but any such connection is pretty tenuous. In 302 Mauritius and his Christian legionnaires were executed in Valais for refusing to sacrifice to the Emperor and suppress the local Christians. Long after his death St. Maurice was granted arms of a white cross bottony on a red field (symbolising the shed blood of the legion's martyrs), and the arms of his namesake city (whose monastery was founded in 515) consist of the same cross on a field per pale azure and gules (see relative page ). The arms of Sts. Victor and Ursus, patron saints of Geneva and Solothurn and officers of the Theban Legion, also feature the white cross bottony. (Medieval iconography sometimes depicts St. Maurice's flag and arms as a red cross on a white field, very similar to St.

George's.) Most of the Swiss cantons first earned sovereignty within the Holy Roman Empire, and were granted their banners by the Emperor. Later they banded together in a Confederation which grew from three members in 1291 to thirteen in 1513. By the Peace of Basel in 1499 ending the Swabian War, the Swiss threw off the last vestiges of imperial obligations, and their full independence was recognised in 1648 by the Treaty of Westphalia ending the Thirty Years' War (a war in which the Swiss actually had no part). The Holy Roman Empire had three banners. The personal banner of the emperor was a black eagle on a yellow field (the eagle evoking continuity with ancient Rome), and these colours can be seen as the inspiration for several cantons (Uri, Bern, Schaffhausen, Geneva). The flag of the Empire was a white cross extending to the edges of a red field, and symbolised the Emperor's role as the protector of Christianity. This eventually became the Empire's war flag, and inspired many other flags in the German and Italian states.

A third plain red banner (Blutbann) was displayed when the Emperor administered justice, and thus symbolised his power over life and death. During investitures of vassals, the Emperor granted this flag as a sign that they were empowered to exercise life-and-death justice in the name of the Emperor. When the Emperor granted sovereignty to a city-state, a red flag -- sometimes with white cross -- signified freedom and independence from all temporal powers other than the emperor. This influence can be seen in the flags of Unterwalden, Solothurn, and most notably Schwyz. The Schwyz flag was originally an unadorned red banner, and the assumption that the modern Swiss flag derives from it is incorrect since the Swiss cross was in use by the Confederation about a century before Schwyz added it to its flag. Some cantonal war flags bore a schwenkel, or long pennant, usually granted by the Emperor as a symbol of sovereignty and high rank within the empire. Zurich's in particular is significant since it was red with a small white cross near the hoist (derived from the imperial banner).

This schwenkel was granted in 1273, and Zurich eventually became the most powerful member of the Swiss Confederation, with her military commander holding supreme command over Confederate forces. The schwenkel may have influenced the development of the Swiss cross, but it would be a mistake to assume that other cantons had a red schwenkel or that Zurich's signified its membership in the Swiss alliance. While the cantons of the Swiss Confederation went to war flying their individual banners, they soon recognised the need for a common recognition sign, and as early as 1339 at the battle of Laupen, troops wore a long-armed narrow white linen cross stitched on their breasts, sleeves and thighs. Soon afterwards, cantonal detachment started putting this white cross on their cantonal banners. Besides its familiar bear flag, powerful Bern had a red over black guidon, and white cross on the red part of their banner became a major sign of recognition. At the battle of Arbedo in 1422 and quite regularly thereafter, mixed levies from more than one Canton carried red triangular guidons with a white cross (see image ).

The last time this triangular guidon appeared in battle was in 1540, by which time it was already evolving into a full four-sided flag. All these uses of the Confederate cross became increasingly important since Confederation armies were likely to meet other Swiss mercenary troops in the employ of enemies. But 1540 was also the last time a Swiss confederate army was called out until the French invasion of 1798, so the white cross on a red field disappeared from use. The Confederation remained the loosest and most decentralised of governments, and while it had no flag there remained a state seal recognised throughout Europe as the insignia of the Thirteen Cantons. It was a white cross "traversante" on a red shield, and it came to be known in Switzerland as the "federal cross". Swiss prowess on the battlefield put them in high demand as mercenaries. The Swiss signed "capitulations" with other countries, enlisting whole regiments of mercenaries. Many of these regiments in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially those in French service, carried flags with the white cross traversante.

The quarters created by this cross were not red, but rather filled with all sorts of devices -- usually "flames" in the colours of the colonel's arms. In many ways Switzerland entered the modern era when the French overthrew the flag-less Swiss Confederation in 1798. Switzerland had recalled its French regiments in 1792 when the Swiss Guard was massacred in Paris, but they were disarray six years later, and only Bern resisted the invasion. When France imposed the Helvetic Republic on the Swiss in 1798, they also recruited a Helvetic Legion of four regiments to fight France's wars. While the regiments carried flags with an image of William Tell -- the seal of the Republic -- these flags bore no resemblance to previous Swiss iconography. When the regiments returned home after the fall of Napoleon they became border troops, and the restored Swiss Confederation in 1815 presented each of them with an honorary flag (see image ). These flags were an important development in that they represented the first prototype of a modern federal flag. They consisted of a long narrow white cross, couped near the edges of the flag, on a red field.

This cross was essentially the centuries-old "confederate" cross, but in its slightly truncated form it prefigured the forthcoming federal cross. Spanning the vertical arms of the cross was a sword wrapped in a laurel vine. The obverse of the horizontal arms featured the motto "Fu"r Vaterland und Ehre" (For Fatherland and Honour) while the reverse contained the text "Schweizerische Eidgenosschenschaft" (Swiss Confederation). The cantons remained all-powerful and raised their own armies, but since they had their own varied flags and uniforms, a federal armband consisting of a short white cross on a red field was introduced for all troops. This 1815 armband was in effect the precursor of the stocky white cross which would soon appear on the federal flag. Also in 1815 the government of the restored Confederation designed a state seal consisting of the short white cross on a red shield and surrounded by the arms of the twenty-two cantons. (Thus the seal also necessarily "finalised" the form of the cantonal arms.) The cross on the pre-1798 seal had extended to the edges of the shield.

General Henri-Guillaume Dufour, charged with training a small federal cadre of troops in 1817, simultaneously championed the idea of a federal flag for Switzerland. He argued that cantons flying the same flag were more likely to feel fraternity and come to each other's aid in times of crisis (which they had failed to do in 1798). This flag (see image ) first flew at nationwide military maneuvers in 1821, and gradually caught the popular imagination. It appears to have been in fairly widespread unofficial use by the 1830s. In 1833 Aargau -- one of the new cantons created in 1803 -- scrapped its cantonal war flag in favour of the new federal flag. Other cantons, especially the older ones, resisted surrendering centuries of history to this new federal identity. In 1840 the Diet ruled that the federal flag would replace cantonal war flags for all of Switzerland's armed forces. This flag went to war for the first and only time with Dufour's federal army as it suppressed the Sonderbund forces in the short civil war of 1847.

The federal flag consisted of a stocky white cross, made up of five equal squares on a red field. This transformation of the old Confederate cross was probably adopted to avoid confusion with Savoy. The flag was enshrined in the Constitution of 1848, which in effect transformed Switzerland from a loose Confederation into a unitary federal state. So well did it catch on that when the Constitution was rewritten in 1874 no further mention was made of a federal flag. While it took several decades to adopt the now familiar federal flag, it took a few more to refine it. It was widely criticized as being ugly, and beginning in 1880 a sometimes vehement debate broke out in the press. Finally in 1889 the Federal Assembly ruled that Switzerland was keeping its white cross, but that it would be changed from the five equal squares to one in which the arms were one sixth longer than they were wide. This last change in the flag actually brought it into conformity with the cross on the state seal of 1815. It is evident from its history that the Swiss national flag evolved from war flags, which is why it is square.

That distinction among the world's nations is shared only with the Vatican, which is ironically the only state for which Switzerland still permits mercenary service. Switzerland has no Presidential flag, but during national crises the Federal Assembly appoints an overall commanding general with extraordinary emergency powers. As a sign of this authority, the general receives a special standard. It is an unadorned national flag with red and white fringe, identical to a cavalry guidon. The last such flag was carried by General Henri Guisan during the mobilisation of 1939-1945. T.F. Mills, 14 November 1997 Another postulated explanation for the origin of the Swiss flag is that during the resistance against the Austrians, the early Swiss (mostly peasants in arms) used to stitch two stripes of white fabrics on their clothes to recognize each other during combat. From this, the white cross became the symbol of the Swiss. The red color (imperial color) came later, as it was "granted" by the Austrian Emperor. Jacques F.

Baud, 7 December 2002 Protection of the Swiss flag Federal Law from 5 June 1931 protects the federal cross, the arms and the Swiss flag against "any abusive use". Penalties are possible, but the law is usually enforced with flexibility. The most important point is "not to offend the Swiss emblems" (Swiss penal code, article #70). During the April 1998 session, the national Council investigated a petition asking to mention explicitly the cross and the flag in the first article of the Constitution as "the highest symbols of the country". The Commission for revision of the federal Constitution did not follow up because neither a political party nor an organisation had requested the modification. Ivan Sache, 20 September 2000 The public damaging of private flags is not culpable in Switzerland (i.e. everyone has the right to destroy a flag or any other object, so long as it is one's own). However all emblems (esp. flags and coats of arms) that have been put up by an authority are protected by federal law. Stealing, damaging and insulting acts against them are penalized with prison or fine. The same applies to official emblems of foreign countries.

The extent of the sentence is not specified by federal law because in case of an offence, the respective cantonal authorities determine it individually. Martin Karner, 9 April 2004 In regards to protection of the Swiss flag from commercial misuses, there are additional laws to protect it from misuse in relation to the Red Cross symbol. According to: "Model law concerning the use and protection of the emblem of the Red Cross or Red Crescent" (31-08-1996 International Review of the Red Cross no 313, p.486-495 or ), Section III, Article 12 reads, "Owing to the confusion which may arise between the arms of Switzerland and the emblem of the red cross, the use of the white cross on a red ground or of any other sign constituting an imitation thereof, whether as a trademark or commercial mark or as a component of such marks, or for a purpose contrary to fair trade, or in circumstances likely to wound Swiss national sentiment, is likewise prohibited at all times; offenders shall be punished by payment of a fine of...

(amount in local currency)." Orville Eastland, 19 January 2005 images by Pascal Gross Flaggen are vertically hoisted from a crossbar in the manner of gonfanon, in ratio of about 2:9, with a swallowtail that indents about 2 units. The chief, or hoist (square part) usually incorporates the design from the coat of arms - not from the flag. The fly part is always divided lengthwise, usually in a bicolour, triband or tricolour pattern (except Schwyz which is monocolour, and Glarus which has four stripes of unequal width). The colours chosen for the fly end are usually the main colours of the coat of arms, but the choice is not always straight forward. Knatterfahnen are similar to Flaggen, but hoisted from the long side and have no swallow tail. They normally show the national, cantonal or communal flag in their chiefs. Željko Heimer, 16 July 2000 What is the meaning of Switzerland's national flag? The Legend of the Flag with a Cross But what are the origins of the white cross on the coat of arms of Schwyz?

During the middle ages, Switzerland was first part of Charlemagne's great continental European empire (around A.D. 800). His sons split the empire in three parts, the eastern part (including Italy, the Alps and Germany) was called Holy Roman Empire of German Nation. When the German emperor once went to Italy around 1230, soldiers from Schwyz accompanied him. It is reported that he was very pleased about the support they gave him and granted them the privilege to add a white cross to their red banner. An old legend says that one of the last Roman emperors, Constantin, used a banner with a cross symbol when he defeated his rival Maxentius in 312. It is very likely that the cross symbol was taken over by Charlemagne and his successors as a sign of their leadership over the "Christian continent".

The privilege to use the Emperor's cross on their banner was not exclusively granted to the people of Schwyz, however, and so you may find many other political entities using a similar coat of arms, for example the Dukes of Savoy or the city of Vienna (capital of Austria) and Danmark - all showing not only the same symbol (white cross on red background) but even in the same colors, while Finnland and Sweden use different colors and the United Kingdom's Union Jack and the Dominican Republic have different colours and some additional features in their flags. Who "Founded" Switzerland's National Flag? The answer depends on the focus: If you go right back to the very origins of Swiss troops using the white cross on red banners, this was a privilege granted by German emperor Friedrich II., so you would suggest that he "founded" the Swiss flag.

But if you are asking for the person who convinced a majority of Swiss politicians to use a common national flag instead of a variety of cantonal banners in 1840, when the white cross on a red square emblem was officially introduced as the Swiss army flag, this was Guillaume Henri Dufour, who later became general of the federal troops in the short Sonderbundskrieg (civil war) in 1847 and co-founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1864. Of course, it was also Guillaume Henri Dufour who proposed the red cross on white ground as the emblem and name for the Red Cross. Facts about Switzerland's Flag History of Switzerland's Flag History of Switzerland's Flag Swiss flag on the Rï¿½tli where the history of the Old Swiss Confederacy started in 1291 according to the legend. The flag of a country is more than just an practical symbol for a country to be used in everyday life. It stands for the country and its people and is therefore of emotional importance - at least with people, for whom people and homeland represent important values. Switzerland is a federal republic situated in central Europe.

Today it consists of 26 federal states called Cantons. Each canton has its own coat of arms or flag. The history of Switzerland as a nation began in 1291, when three cantons in central Switzerland decided to defend their rights against the counts of Habsburg and to help each other in doing so. This is the beginning of the Old Swiss Confederacy . Until 1513 several members joined the confederacy. Origin of the Swiss flag Where does the cross on the Swiss flag come from? The Old Swiss Confederacy (1291 - 1515) was so loose a federation of autonomous regions, that Switzerland had no common field sign nor uniforms, not even a common high commander during most of its history. When swiss troops went to war (and they did so quite often back in late middle ages), they carried the flags of their region with them. Nevertheless, the characteristic white cross and the red background of Switzerland's flag have their origin in late middle ages. Until 1648, Switzerland was still part of the German Empire.

The member states of the Old Swiss Confederacy did not try to build a nation, they just wanted to get rid of the counts of Habsburg that had tried to strengthen their influence. In the 13th century, the German emperor carried with him a flag with the cross as a holy sign, understanding himself as a protector of christianity. Besides, he also carried a blood-red flag as a sign of his power over life and death. Occasionally, he granted the right to carry such flags as a special honor to single cities or regions. (The Dukes of Savoy and the City of Vienna bear a white cross on red ground on their coat of arms. The Scandinavian countries and Great Britain as well have a cross on their flags.) Often the right to bear a cross on one's coat of arms and on a flag was granted together with other privileges, like direct immediacy [direct subordination under the emperor's jurisdiction without jurisdiction of counts].

The region of Schwyz in central Switzerland, one of the three founding members of the Old Swiss Confederacy, and the one, whose name was later in history used to denote the confederacy as a whole, was granted immediacy in 1240 and carried a red flag from the middle of the 13th century on (yet still without the white cross). In 1289 they supported King Rudolf of Habsburg in a war against Burgundy and received as a recognition the right to represent the crucifixion of Christ and the tools used to torture him in the upper right field on their flag. Originally they painted this symbol on parchment and fastened it on the banner. Only later the cross symbol was painted directly on the banner. The larger the old confederacy became, the more they had a problem with inconsistently clothed troops that were hardly able to recognize their allies on the battlefield. In descriptions of the battle of Laupen (1339), white stripes forming crosses are mentioned for the first time as a joint recognition sign of confederate troops. The white stripes were fastened on the soldier's breast, back, shoulders, arms, leg, hats or weapons.

In the middle of the 15th century, the white cross was integrated into the flags of the member states of the confederacy. Originally, the cross reached to the edge of the banner also in Switzerland, like in the scandinavian flags. The Tricolour of the Helvetic Republic only a short episode in history Some people think Switzerland was the first modern democracy in history. This is only half of the truth, actually. While people in some cantons and cities could indeed participate in the political process, a majority of Switzerland's inhabitants had no political rights at all until the Swiss Revolution of 1798 eliminated the old structures and replaced them with a centralistic democracy according to the model of the French Revolution (1789).

Corresponding to the revolutionary fashion, the Helvetic Republic also had a tricolor, that is a flag in three colors: Green (the color of nature, symbolizing freedom and/or revolution), with a little freedom hat red: traditional color in many Swiss cantonal coat of arms yellow: traditional color Switzerland Flag - World Flags 101 - Switzerland Flags Proportions: 1:1 Swiss Flag Description: The flag of Switzerland consists of a white cross in the center of a red squared background. Swiss Flag Meaning: The white cross on the red base represents faith in Christianity. The Swiss flag traditionally stands for freedom, honor and fidelity. In modern times the Swiss flag has also come to represent neutrality, democracy, peace and refuge. Advertiser Links [ what's this? ] Swiss Flag History: The current Swiss flag was adopted on December 12, 1889, making it one of the world's oldest flags. Under the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, European countries recognized Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire, where the flag has its roots, and its status as a neutral country.

In the late 14th century Swiss soldiers going into battle started wearing emblems that featured a white cross on a red base as a sign of their Christian faith and to distinguish themselves from their enemies. In 1814, a white cross on a red base appeared on the seal of the country and in 1848 the flag was adopted as the nation's military flag. It was then adopted as the national flag in 1889. Interesting Swiss Flag Facts: The flag of Switzerland is square shaped with its length being equal to the width. In 1906, the humanitarian organization called the Red Cross reversed the colors of the Swiss flag to create the Red Cross flag. This was to honor the nationality of the founder of the Red Cross, Swiss citizen Henri Dunant. World FlagsAlphabetical list of all world flags. S Switzerland Coloring Page | crayola.com Color Online > Add to favorites Use Crayola® crayons, colored pencils, or markers to color the flag of Switzerland. Color the background red. The cross should be white. Did you know? Switzerland is located in central Europe, east of France. The nation remains committed to neutrality, which means that they do no want to participate in any wars.

Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. More + Less - Flag of Switzerland South America Flag of Switzerland At first glance, you might say that the flag of Switzerland looks like the flag of the Red Cross because it has the exact same design. The only difference is that in the Red Cross flag, the cross is colored red while the background is colored white. On the other hand, the flag of Switzerland has a white cross on the center and the background is colored red. Both flags have the cross but it does not extend to the edges of the flag; it only stays at the center. However, you should know that the flag of Switzerland was adopted since the 1800s. It is also very interesting to note that the flag symbolizes neutrality to all its neighboring countries, as can be experienced during the Second World War whereby Switzerland remained neutral. It did not take sides among the warring countries. Switzerland was the rest and recreation area among the soldiers of the countries at war during World War II and its flag shows that the white cross at the middle of the flag symbolizes peace and love, while the red color on the background refers to blood or war.

People say that the flag can be interpreted this way: that Switzerland prefers to be at peace with its neighbors as it is definitely against bloodshed. Some historians also say that the white cross was actually adopted from the Confederates and dates way back during the 1500s. The country is very rich when it comes to history because it is one of the oldest countries in Europe. One response to “Flag of Switzerland” Switzerland: the meaning of the flag This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website Switzerland: the meaning of the flag Suisse, Schweiz, Svizzera, Svizra, Confoederatio Helvetica this article in French Le sens du drapeau / The meaning of the flag. From a special issue of the magazine 'Construire', put online by Migros, a major supermarket chain in Switzerland. The issue was released on 27 July 2000, a few days before the Swiss National Day (1st August). All texts are in French, and I have translated below the most relevant parts. I have added my own comments between square brackets when required for a better understanding. Words between double squared brackets are original French words.

A few selected 'important" Swiss citizens have been asked the question: "Which meaning should we give to our national flag?" Note that all interviewed people come from French-speaking Switzerland. Original interviews were made by Joel Guillet. Nelly Wenger, general manager of Expo.02: "I am fond of our Swiss flag, and I would not like it to be changed. Moreover, red is one of my preferred colours. The flag is also one of the main elements of Expo.02 logo. Its shape and colours evidently reminds me the Red Cross flag and its humanitarian calling. I also appreciate its abstract style of drawing, which allows several interpretations." Georges-Andre Chevallaz, former President of the Confederation: "A flag cannot be changed the same way a frontage or a coachwork is repainted, according to fad or weird impulses. Among the turbulence of a rapidly changing world, the uncertainties and conflicts in this day and age, the flag must remain a durable emblem uniting the community of the country.

[...] The flag incarnates the continuity of our history, but also cohesion and political firmness which should allow us to build the future of a country and a world showing more solidarity and respect of our liberties." Patrice Mugny, National Councillor [MP elected for 4 years] (Greens, canton of Geneva): "The national flag does not inspire me with any feeling. In fact, I like very much my country, even if I criticize it. But flags in general do not thrill me. They are rallying symbols, with nationalist connotations. I consider them more or less as brass band costumes. They are neither ridiculous nor inspired. I understand that some people are fond of them, even if they don't thrill me. If need be, as a believer Christian, I could put up with the religious symbol of the cross. However, I support a strict separation between Church and State, and I would instead prefer a symbol able to rally all citizens without exception." Francois Cherix, President of Renaissance Suisse-Europe: "Regarding the Swiss flag as a visual object, my feelings are rather neutral. Indeed, I always imagine it hoisted on the top of a scenic green mountain.

For me, it evokes with certainty the drawing [[dessin]] of a country whose plan [[dessein]] I cannot perceive. Neat, clear, precise, balanced, its simple and strong design talks about order, stability and Christian tradition. But I also want to believe that its central cross can be read as a forum for ideas and cultures. If I remember correctly, the national flag is a by-product of the cantonal shield of Schwyz. It bears therefore a heavy heritage, as to be reduced [[reduit]] to be descended from the Alpine recess [[reduit]], until the Swiss Alps will get their vocation of heart of Europe back." [Cherix's position illustrates the strong antagonism between pro and anti-Europeans in Switzerland. The so-called "forest cantons" (Waldst�tte) Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden are considered as emblematic of the Swiss anti-European feelings and withdrawal on the "Alpine recess". They are mostly rural areas living from a highly subsidized traditional agriculture, with a small population but a strong political power.

The European debate is a major item of the strong dispute between French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland.] Lova Golotchiner, actor and presentor for TSR [Television-Suisse-Romande /French-speaking Television]: "Finally, I find it quite convenient and handy. First, it is easier to memorized than three-striped tricolour flags. With those flags, you never know if green is in the top, red in the middle, or the opposite. The problem for us is the white cross. Do all of us identify with this very present [[presente]], indeed even burdensome [[pesant]] cross? I would suggest to add a charge somewhere. For example a few blue stars on the edges [Probably a "disguised" pro-European statement.] Due to changes in people's attitudes and globalization, there are unfortunately less and less symbol in our current flag. Beforehand, the flag was at least associated with Swissair and the Swiss Bank Union. Nowadays, it is less and less faithful to reality, even if this does not prevent me to be patriotic when required. I feel therefore some fear for its future.

Actually, I imagine it will inescapably join Christophe Blocher's toolbox." [Blocher is a (extreme-)right-wing politician from Zurich. His anti-European and xenophobic program is largely supported in German-speaking Switzerland, especially by the economical establishment - another source of dispute between French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland. Blocher uses the same kind of populist toolbox as Haider or Bossi elsewhere.] Corps Commander Jacques Dousse, Head of the Land Forces: "The national flag is a symbol of belonging to a nation, a country, a motherland! It is an emblem of rallying and cohesion, especially important in Switzerland, a country with 26 cantons and four languages! Through the national flag and anthem, I carry on, with pride and conviction, to have... Switzerland in my ideas [Pun difficult to translate: "avoir de la suite dans les idees" means to be single-minded (literally, to follow his ideas), and Dousse uses: "avoir de la Suisse dans les idees".] Official since 1848, our flag finds its origin in the army standards. This origin explains its square shape: with the Vatican flag, it is the single square-shaped flag!

If I remember correctly, the white cross on the red field appeared for the first time during the battle of Laupen in 1339. The poet Gonzague de Reynold, from Fribourg, describes our flag as "this banner riddled during the battles of yesteryear, square banner of sovereign peoples, scarlet standard couped with a white cross" [["cette banni�re trouee des batailles d'antan, banniere carree des peuples souverains, l'ecarlate etendard que coupe une croix blanche."]] Other symbol: for liberty and independence of our Switzerland, our forefathers' blood has been shed.

Moreover: our fatherland has always been under God's protection, as recalled for us in the first words of the 1291 Pact: "In the name of Almighty God..." [The everlasting Pact concluded by people from Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden cantons on the meadow of Rutli in 1291 is considered as the birth act of the Confederation.] Jacques-Simon Eggly, History teacher and National Councilor [MP elected for 4 years] (Liberals, canton of Geneva): "The Swiss flag inspires me an identity feeling, and, during certain official events, some emotion. I like it because it recalls for me - even if the relations of cause and effect are not evident - my Christian roots and the Red Cross, as well as the country's history[...]" Yvette Jaggi, President of Pro Helvetia: "I like in the Swiss flag the fact that its charge and field can be treated in two colours, but always evoke peace and humanity. White on a red field, this is the Swiss cross.

Red on a white field, this is Red Cross [...] I like to search - and especially to find - the Swiss flag among a forest of national emblems, like in Strasbourg, in front of the Council of Europe. Its presence symbolizes our belonging to the international community." [Another political statement. There is currently in Switzerland a great debate about adhesion to international institutions such as UNO, with always the same opposition between French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland.] Rene Scheidegger, Romand [French-speaking] coordinator for ASIN (Association pour une Suisse independante et neutre / Association for an independent and neutral Switzerland): "Being attached to my country and having been living about 20 years abroad, the Swiss flag inspires me with pride, respect, and gratitude. Pride to belong to a nation which has been able to find itself an envied place in the world; respect for an independent and neutral country, whose open-mindedness is proved by a high rate of foreigners, an important humanitarian activity and an extensive community abroad. The red colour is the blood shed by the Swiss mercenaries abroad.

And the white cross - reference to Christ cross - is the symbol of neutrality (there is a similarity in design with the Red Cross flag.) I like this flag, simple and respected worldwide, whatever may say some rootless "globalists" [[mondialistes]] to follow fashion. It is the symbol rallying citizens [female and male - "citoyennes et citoyens"] sharing the same values." [Another anti-Blocher position, even if Blocher is also against globalization. The high rate of foreigners, as elsewhere, is principally motivated by economical reasons and lack of indigenous arms. Blocher and al. have proposals to restrict by law the rate of foreigners allowed to live in Switzerland.] Ivan Sache, 19 September 2000

Question: What colour is the cross on the flag of Switzerland?
Answer: White