Flag of Latvia

Meaning and history of the flag of Latvia

Latvia's flag is made up of three horizontal stripes: a dark maroon (carmine-red) band at the top and bottom, and a narrower white stripe in between. The stripe proportions are 2:1:2, with the white band half as wide as the two red ones. The specific shade of red used is known as "Latvian red," a distinctive dark maroon that sets this flag apart from other European tricolors. Red symbolizes the blood shed for freedom, and white represents justice and truth.

According to legend, Latvia's flag originated in the 13th century, when a Latvian tribal leader wounded in battle was wrapped in a white sheet; his blood stained the cloth on both sides, leaving a white stripe down the middle. If the legend is true, Latvia's flag would be among the oldest in the world, predating even Denmark's. It was officially adopted on November 18, 1918, with Latvian independence, banned during the Soviet occupation, and restored on February 27, 1990.

Latvia's flag is often mistaken for Austria's, which also features a red-white-red pattern, but the two are clearly distinguished by Latvia's much darker shade of red and by different stripe proportions. It also bears some resemblance to Indonesia's flag turned upside down. It is one of the few European flags built from just two colors in such an austere design, giving it a stark elegance and a strong visual identity.

You can view the flag of Latvia in high resolution above and download it in several sizes for personal, educational or reference use. To explore more, visit the full Latvia profile, its map, or the current local time in Riga.