The
Flag of Switzerland - Description of the Swiss Flag
As the
above picture of the Swiss Flag indicates the overall
background is Red
The description of
the Swiss Flag is as follows:
Red square with a
bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend
to the edges of the flag
According to
Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated
with colors. The colors on the Swiss flag represent the
following:
White -
peace and honesty
Red -
hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
The
basic style shown in the picture of the Swiss flag is
described as a Cross reflecting the
central design of the flag pattern
All Flag
pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view,
from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Swiss flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the
height )
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side )
is called the Hoist
The upper
left quarter of the flag is called the Canton
The right
half of the flag is called the Fly
The Meaning & History of the Swiss Flag
The flag is based
on that of the Canton of Schwyz which derive from the Holy Roman
Empire
The Swiss flag
traditionally stands for freedom, honour and fidelity
The Swiss flag was
adopted in 1889
Flag
Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description
uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear
with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called
Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a
Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the
Flag Quiz
Flag History &
Evolution:
The idea of
flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and
the battlefield
Shields were
painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors
needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying
a pole was adopted
An emblem
such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the
pole for identification
The emblems
were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats
of Arms were born
These
emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans
were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and
fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of
fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict
rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and
creating a modern flag
Swiss
Flag Etiquette
Swiss Flag etiquette is very strict and is is
essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag
Etiquette applies to all nations, including Swiss as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of
precedence for the flag
National Flag of
Swiss
State Flag of Swiss
Military Flag of
Swiss (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Swiss
The United Nations uses alphabetical order
when presenting a national flag including the Swiss Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures
that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's
flag
The National flag of
Swiss should never be flown
above another national flag on the same staff as this would
suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or
Nation, over another
The Swiss flag should never be allowed to drag
along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of
Swiss should be removed
and replaced with a new flag
Due care and
consideration must be taken to ensure that the Swiss flag is
always
flown the correct way up
A Flag of Swiss, when in such
condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display,
should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in
private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Swiss Flag display
Hoist - the
act or function of raising the Swiss flag, as on a rope
Half Staff
or Half Mast - the Swiss flag is hoisted to half of the potential
height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed
by first raising the Swiss flag to the top, then lowering the
Swiss Flag halfway
Distress -
denoted by flying the Swiss flag upside-down
Manner of
hoisting - The Swiss flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously
No
disrespect should be shown to the Swiss flag
The Swiss flag
should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a
manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in
any way
The Swiss
flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it,
nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure,
design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The
Swiss flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Swiss
Flag usage forbids the
display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation
in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and
information regarding Swiss Flag Etiquette has provided a useful
resource
Switzerland
Location:
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Land Size of
Switzerland : 39,770 sq km
Climate / Weather
of Switzerland : temperate, but varies with altitude; cold,
cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers
with occasional showers
Swiss Population :
7,450,867 (July 2004 est.)
Swiss Capital City:
Bern
Swiss GDP: $239.8
billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries :
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments
Bronze and Iron Age - The emergence
of the Celts across Europe
400BC - By this time the ancient
culture of the Celts had settled in many European countries
including Austria, Britain, France, Holland, Belgium,
Switzerland, Western Germany, Northern Spain, Turkey and Hungary
The Celts were people from various
tribes and were called Galli by the Romans and Galatai or Keltoi
by the Greeks. These terms all had one meaning in common -
barbarian
It is from the greek Keltoi that
Celt is derived
Despite the name of Barbarian the
Celtic society was based almost entirely on pastoralism and the
raising of cattle or sheep
15 BC The Romans had begun to
extend their empire. Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Roman name
for the region of Europe occupied by the Celts. The word Gaul
commonly refers to a Celt inhabitant of that region in ancient
times
224 - 220 BC - Rome conquered the
Celts
390 BC - The Celts sacked Rome
280 BC - The Celts sacked many
Greek cities
390 BC - The Celts sacked Rome
50-100AD - The spread of
Christianity
476 AD The Roman Empire collapsed
Middle Ages - Various different
cultures emerged in the lands of the Celts and the history of
each country changed accordingly
The above information provides a
concise background to the Ancient Austrian civilisations
Concise History of
Switzerland & its Flag
The Holy
Roman Empire dates from 1157 and its territories originally
included Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland,
eastern France, the Low Countries, and parts of Italy. The
rulers of the Empire were primarily German
1200s The
Habsburg family gained control of much of Switzerland
1499 Swiss
forces defeated the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Switzerland
won its complete independence from the empire
Early 1500s
The Swiss established a policy of not taking sides in European
wars
1798 French
Revolution and the French armies set up the
Helvetia Republic
1863 Jean
Henru Dunant founded the Red Cross in Geneva
1914 - 1918
World War I - Switzerland declared its neutrality
1939 - 1945
World War II - Switzerland declared its neutrality
"Around the World in 80
minutes!"
A combination of information
regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events
provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this
concise information with specific facts will improve your
overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource
accessed from the Index
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minutes!"
The
Swiss Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts
and information regarding the Swiss Flag and Country has
provided a useful educational resource. To improve your
knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the
Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our
interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and
it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the
right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
