This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website

Switzerland

Suisse, Schweiz, Svizzera, Svizra, Confoederatio Helvetica

Last modified: 2005-09-10 by pascal gross
Keywords: switzerland | cross | europe | swiss army knive | boa | francophony |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors


[Flag of Switzerland]
by António Martins

See also:

Description of the flag

 Gules, a cross couped argent.

On a red field, a white equilateral cross whose arms are one sixth longer than their width. The relationship between the span of the cross and the width of the flag has not been established, but in practice the ratio is about 2:3 or 7:10.

Symbolism of the flag

 The Swiss cross on a red field ultimately derives from a similar banner of the Holy Roman Empire, and thus has strong Christian connotations. The Swiss flag traditionally stands for freedom, honour and fidelity. (The motto "Honor et Fidelitas" was inscribed on the cross of several Swiss mercenary flags of the 18th