Flag of Switzerland

Meaning and history of the flag of Switzerland

Switzerland's flag is one of only two square national flags in the world, the other being Vatican City's. It features a white cross of equal-armed proportions centered on a bold red background. The arms of the cross are one-sixth longer than they are wide, and unlike the crosses on Scandinavian flags, they do not reach the flag's edges.

Its origins trace back to the 14th century, when soldiers of the Swiss Confederation wore a white cross as a battle emblem at the Battle of Laupen in 1339. The white cross on red was formally adopted as the national flag in 1841. Red and white symbolize the Christian faith and the country's neutrality. The Swiss flag directly inspired the emblem of the International Red Cross, founded in 1863 by Geneva native Henry Dunant, who simply reversed the Swiss flag's colors to create the universal symbol of humanitarian aid. The square shape remains a singular trait that sets Switzerland apart wherever national flags are displayed alongside one another.

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