So, now that the August 1st festivities are over for a year, let’s talk about the Swiss Flag. It’s the number one symbol of Switzerland, well, if you don’t include the mountains, chocolate, cowbells or Heidi. Around this time of the year you see a lot of Swiss flags waving in the wind. Still, Americans have the Swiss beat when it comes to flags. Everyone hangs out their flags on July 4th, truly everyone. Americans have an unbelievable love affair with the US flag. You pledge allegiance to it and hang it out every chance you get, that’s just the way it is. The Swiss are more laid back about their flag.
So, as you know the Swiss Confederacy began back in 1291. But Alas, the Confederacy was so loose a federation there was no common flag. This could be and probably was very problematic on the battlefield. And during this period of history there was a lot of battling going on. Men without consistent telltale signs on their clothes of who they were fighting for didn’t make recognition easy. You certainly didn’t want to kill your allies. I’ll bet at some point they realized that killing men in their own troops wouldn’t win battles. They decided to do something about it. I believe it was in1339 during the battle of Laupen that confederate troops first wore white strips forming crosses. By the way, they won that battle. The white cross was born.
A Flag for Eternity
Or maybe not. In 1798 Napoleon designed a tricolor flag for his newly formed Helvetic Republic. Three horizontal stripes, the top green, symbolizing freedom, or maybe revolution. The middle stripe was red because that was in so many of the Swiss cantonal coats of arms. The bottom color was yellow because that was a traditional color, or possibly a favorite color of Napoleons. Who knows why yellow. Undoubtedly Napoleon was good at many things but designing flags wasn’t at the top of the list.
The Swiss have always liked their elbow room, so centralism didn’t work well. The Helvetic Republic didn’t live long. In 1803 Switzerland returned to their beloved federalistic system and they abandoned the rather horrid tricolor flag. They did, however keep Napoleon’s revolutionary principles of freedom, equality and solidarity.
It took a while, but in 1840 the Swiss flag as we know it was introduced for all armed forces. Switzerland was on its way to identifying itself as a nation. It became official in 1889 when the parliament ruled what the dimensions of the white cross were to be. Since 2007 the official shade of red used in the Swiss flag is Pantone 485. Some things just take time in Switzerland and putting a white cross on a red background is one of them.
Being A Square
Switzerland is only one of two countries to have a square flag the other being the Vatican. Technically the Vatican City is independent but not sovereign. So Switzerland is basically alone. Being square in a rectangular world is tough and the Swiss flag knows that.
In 2015 the European Union hoisted a rectangular flag in Brussels. Oops! Back to square one. After they were notified about their booboo they changed it immediately avoiding an international incident.
Of course, Switzerland does make exceptions to the rule. In keeping with the other nations, the Swiss flag at the Olympics has the 2:3 proportions. Being that the Olympics seeks equality among all nations no one would want Switzerland to have an undue advantage. A square flag might make the Swiss athletes better.
The other place you will see a rectangular Swiss flag is on seafaring merchant ships and maritime yachts. Of course the boats inland wave the square flag proudly.
Swiss Flag Laws
If you meddle with the Swiss flag on any public building, or any cantonal flag for that matter, you could face a hefty fine or up to five years imprisonment. So, if you feel the need to touch it, burn it or in some way mess with it, just don’t.
There’s been some confusion over how exactly the Swiss flag can be used. According to the 1931 Federal Act for the protection of public coats of arms and other public insignia, the use of the Swiss flag for commercial purposes is illegal. So, now you’re thinking that nice Swiss-flag piggy bank you bought is actually illegal contraband. Well, not exactly. If it is being used for decorative purposes and not for commercial intent you’re off the hook.
“So, what’s the best thing about the Swiss flag?”
“I’m not really sure, but I know it’s a huge plus.”
Now if only the Swiss would initiate a law banning Swiss flag jokes we’d all be the better for it.
-
-