UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » General Awareness » Flag of Czech Republic

Flag of Czech Republic

The national flag of the Czech Republic has its roots embedded in its Bohemian heritage and has evolved throughout modern times. Read on to learn more about the flag's history and significance.

Since the middle ages, Flags have represented states, armies, and monarchies. In modern times, each country has a set of emblems to represent the state, including the National Flag. The National Flag of the Czech Republic is a young landlocked country located in central Europe. Read on to learn more about the National Flag of the Czech Republic.

National Flag of the Czech Republic-Introduction 

The Czech Republic is a country in central Europe founded on 1st January 1993. But the National Flag of the Czech Republic is much older than the country itself. Even though the National Flag of the Czech Republic has similarities to the original Czechoslovakian state, the flag’s origin goes back to the Medieval Kingdom of Bohemia.

National Flag of Czech Republic – Evolution

The coat of arms of the old Czech lands depicted a lion on a red background with a twin silver tail. The traditional colours of the Czech Republic were derived from this old coat of arms. In 1918, after the fall of Austria-Hungary and the formation of Czechoslovakia, the country kept the old flag of Bohemia which was made with two horizontal stripes of white and red. The problem arose when they realised that the flag of Czechoslovakia was very similar to that of the neighbouring country Poland. 

In 1920, the Czechoslovakian government approved a design made by Jaroslav Kursa for a new flag for Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovakian flag was made with two horizontal stripes of white and red, derived from Bohemia’s old coat and arms, and a blue chevron extended halfway. 

The new flag, designed by Jaroslav Kursa, was used continuously until the German occupation of Czechoslovakia during World War 2. The Nazi forces completely banned the Czechoslovakian flag during their rule. From 1939 until 1945, Czechoslovakia used a new flag with three horizontal and equally white, red, and blue stripes. After the fall of Nazi Germany and the end of World War 2, Czechoslovakia reverted to its old flag designed by Jaroslav Kurslav. Even after the split of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic continued to use the flag. On the other hand, Slovakia adopted a new flag of their own. However, from the Velvet Revolution of 1990, which continued in 1992, the Czech region of the larger Czechoslovakian state kept the old red and white flag of the Kingdom of Bohemia and Czechoslovakia.

Specifications of National Flag of the Czech Republic

The National Flag of the Czech Republic comprises two horizontal fields of red on the bottom and white on top and with a blue wedge located between the two fields from the hoist towards the centre of the flag. The National Flag of the Czech Republic has a width-to-length ratio of 2:3, and the length of the blue wedge at the centre is equal to half the size of the whole flag.

Facts about the National Flag of the Czech Republic

The National Flag of the Czech Republic has its symbolism derived from the ancient symbolism of heraldry, which is a system by which a coat of arms was designed in the olden days. The horizontal red stripe symbolises Moravia, and it also represents courage in battle and the bloodshed for the state’s independence. White is Bohemia’s traditional colour and signifies the contrasting virtues of honesty and peace. The blue triangle from the hoist to the flag’s centre symbolises impartiality and sovereignty. Blue is traditionally the colour of Slovakia.

One of the facts about the National flag of the Czech Republic is that it has a lot of similarities with the National Flag of the Philippines. The National Flag of the Philippines has two horizontal stripes of royal blue and crimson red with a white equilateral triangle at the flagpole, and the size ratio of the flag is 1:2. Furthermore, the National Flag of the Philippines has golden symbols on the white triangle. 

Conclusion

To understand the National Flag of the Czech Republic – Evolution, one needs to learn about the evolution of the Czech Republic after the end of World War 1 & 2 and after the splitting up of Czechoslovakia. The Czech National Flag comprises two horizontal stripes of white on top and red on the bottom, with a blue triangle between the two fields from the hoist towards the flag’s centre. The horizontal red stripe represents courage in battle. The white stripe represents contrasting virtues of peace and honesty, respectively—the blue triangle from the hoist to the middle of the flag represents impartiality and sovereignty.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

Which colours are present in the National Flag of the Czech Republic?

Answer. The Czech National Flag has two horizontal stripes of white, and it comprises a blue triangle at the hoist....Read full

Who designed the National Flag of the Czech Republic?

Answer. Jaroslav Kursa designed the National Flag of the Czech Republic.

When was the National Flag of the Czech Republic adopted?

Answer. The National Flag of the Czech Republic was adopted first in1993, and this event took place after the Czech,...Read full

What is the size ratio of the National Flag of the Czech Republic?

Answer. The size ratio of the National Flag of the Czech Republic is 2:3.

What is the symbolism of the colours of the National Flag of the Czech Republic?

Answer. The horizontal red and white stripes represent courage in battle and the contrasting virtues of peace and ho...Read full