Wikipedia

List of German flags

See also: Flag of Germany

This list of German flags details flags and standards that have been or are currently used by Germany between 1848 and the present.

National flags

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Flag Date Use Description
  1949–present National and merchant flag (Bundes- und Handelsflagge) A tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and gold (bottom).
  1950–present State flag and ensign (Bundesdienstflagge) and military flag (Kriegsflagge). This flag may only be used by federal government authorities. variant of the coat of arms of Germany) in the centre. The flag was originally used 1921–1933 in the Weimar Republic. While identical in heraldic terms to the original Weimar era flag, the modern exact design is slightly simplified.
  National flag with coat of arms (Bundesflagge mit Bundeswappen). Unofficial version, the private use of which is not penalized.
  1997–present Hanging national flag (Bannerflagge)
  1996–present Hanging state flag

Standards

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Presidential standard

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Flag Date Use Description
  1921–1926;
since 1950		 Standard of the president of Germany The standard depicts the elements of the coat of arms. A version of the standard that is identical in heraldic terms, but with a slightly different exact design, was used 1926–1933.
  1933–1935 (de facto up to 1934) Standard of the president
  1926–1933 Standard of the president
  1919–1921 Flag of the president
  1955–1960 Standard of the president of East Germany
  1953–1955 Standard of the president of East Germany
  1951–1953 Standard of the president of East Germany
  1950–1951 Standard of the president of East Germany
  1949–1950 Standard of the president of East Germany
  1960–1990 Standard of the president of the State Council
  1935–1945 Standard of the Führer

Imperial family standards

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Further information: House of Hohenzollern
Flag Date Use Description
  1871–1888 German Emperor's Standard
  1888–1918 German Emperor's Standard
  1871–1901 Empress Augusta and Empress Victoria's Standard
  1888–1918 Empress Augusta Viktoria's Standard
  1871–1888 Standard of the Crown Prince
  1888–1918 Standard of the Crown Prince
  1519–1556 Another imperial banner of Charles V A black double-headed eagle with an escutcheon of the coat of arms of Charles V on a yellow field.
  1493–1556 Banner of Maximilian I. Charles V continued using this banner. A black double-headed eagle with the combined arms of Austria and Burgundy on a yellow field
  1437–1493 Banner of Emperor Frederick III A black double-headed eagle with the coat of arms of Austria on a yellow field
  c. 1430-1806 Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor and state flag of the HRE A black double-headed eagle with haloes on a yellow field
  c. 1430–1806 Another banner of the Holy Roman Emperor and state flag of the HRE A black double-headed eagle without haloes on a yellow field
  800–1401 Banner of the Emperor of the Romans and of the King of Germany An Imperial Eagle displayed with a halo sable armed and langued gules [1]

Other standards

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Further information: House of Hohenzollern
Flag Date Use Description
  1871–1918 Royal Standard of the Emperor of Germany in Prussia (King of Prussia) On a red field, an Iron Cross is shown. In the centre of the Iron Cross, the Imperial Eagle with a crown right on top of the eagle is shown. Around the eagle and crown, words spell the phrase: Gott mit uns, meaning: "God with us".
  1844–1871 Old Royal Standard of the Emperor of Germany in Prussia (King of Prussia)
  1871–1892 Royal Standard of the Crown Prince of Prussia The same as the previous flag, but on a white field, instead of a red one.
  1835–1918 Royal Standard of the King of Bavaria
  1903–1918 Royal Standard of the Grand Duke of Hesse
  1903–1918 Royal Standard of the Grand Duchess of Hesse
  ?–1918 Princely standard of Prince Reuss of Greiz
  ?–1918 Standard of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Featured the flag of the British Royal Family until George V's decision to change the house into Windsor.
  1911-1918 Princely standard of Schaumburg-Lippe
  1816-1837 Royal Standard of the Kingdom of Hanover Flag of the King of Great Britain in Hannover until Queen Victoria.

Military

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German Navy

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Flag Date Use Description
Ensigns
  1956– War ensign and jack (Seekriegsflagge und Gösch) of the German Navy A swallowtail variant of the state flag
  1960–1990 Naval ensign (Seekriegsflagge) of the Volksmarine
  1938–1945 Naval ensign of Kriegsmarine
  1935–1938 Naval ensign of Kriegsmarine
  1933–1935 Reich war flag (Reichskriegsflagge) and marine jack
  1921–1933 Reich war flag
  1919–1921 (never used) Reich war flag (Reichskriegsflagge)
  1903–1918 (1921) Reich war flag
  1892–1903 Reich war flag (Reichskriegsflagge)
  1867–1892 Imperial Navy war ensign (Kriegsflagge)
  1848–1852 War ensign of the Reichsflotte
  1895–1918 Naval ensign of Prussian Navy
  1819–1895 Naval ensign of Prussian Navy
  1816–1819 Naval ensign of Prussian Navy
  12th century Naval ensign of the State of the Teutonic Order
  1650–1694 Naval ensign of the Brandenburg Navy
  15th century War flag of the Holy Roman Empire Red swords crossed on top of one another on a field. The top of the field is black and the bottom of the field is white.
  15th century War flag of the Holy Roman Empire A non-rectangular[clarification needed] flag depicting a black eagle on a yellow field with a red bar on top
  c. 12th–early 14th centuries War flag of the Holy Roman Empire A non-rectangular flag depicting a white cross on a red field
Jacks
  1956– War ensign and jack (Seekriegsflagge und Gösch) of the German Navy A swallowtail variant of the state flag
  1935–1945 Jack of Kriegsmarine
  1933–1935 Jack of Kriegsmarine
  1921–1933 Marine jack (Kriegsgösch)
  1903–1918 (1921) Marine jack
  1867–1903 Marine jack (Kriegsschiffgösch)
  1848–1852 Jack of the Reichsflotte
Other
  1945–1947 Flag of the German Mine Sweeping Administration The signal pennant "8"

Military and state flags

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Flag Date Use Description
  Standard of the chancellor of Germany A square variant of the Bundesdienstflagge with red border.
  1957– Standard of inspector general of the Bundeswehr
  1964– Troop colour (Truppenfahne) of the Bundeswehr A variant of the Kriegsflagge with aspect ratio of 1:1.
  1950–1994 Flag of Deutsche Bundespost
  1950–1994 Flag of the minister of Deutsche Bundespost
  1950–1994 Flag of the president of Deutsche Bundespost A swallowtail variant of the postal flag
  1950–1994 Flag of the state secretary of Deutsche Bundespost

Non-Governmental flags

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Flag Date Use Description
  1933–1943 Flag of the Kyffhäuserbund The red square with an iron cross and a Kyffhäuser Monument

Civil ensign

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Flag Date Use Description
  1949–present Merchant flag A tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and gold (bottom).
  1973–1990 Merchant flag of German Democratic Republic (Handelsflagge) Tricolour of black, red, and yellow (same as West German colours), but bears the coat of arms of East Germany, consisting of a compass and a hammer encircled with rye
  1959–1973 Merchant flag of German Democratic Republic (Handelsflagge)
  1946–1950 "C-Pennant" (C-Doppelstander) (provisional civil ensign) Used during the Occupation Period to identify German ships according to international law.
  1935–1945 Merchant flag of German Reich variant with the Iron Cross
  1933–1935 Merchant flag of German Reich (Handelsflagge) A red field, with a white disc with a black swastika at a 45-degree angle. Disc and swastika are exactly in the centre.[citation needed]
  1933–1935 Merchant flag of German Reich variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz)
  1933–1935 Merchant flag of German Reich (Handelsflagge) Black, white, and red horizontal tricolour. Used in conjunction with the Parteiflagge.
  1921–1933 Merchant flag of Weimar Republic variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz)
  1919–1933 Merchant flag of Weimar Republic (Handelsflagge)
  1896–1918 Merchant flag variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz)
  1871–1918 Merchant flag of German Empire (National- und Handelsflagge)
  ?–1918 Merchant flag of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
  ?–1864 Merchant flag of Duchy of Holstein
  1816–1837 Merchant flag of Kingdom of Hanover

German Scouting flags

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Flag Date Use Description
  ?–present Flag of German Association of Guides and Scouts
1965–present Flag of Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg
  1931–1965 Old flag of Deutsche Pfadfinderschaft Sankt Georg
 
 1973–present Flag of Verband Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen und Pfadfinder White logo on a blue background.

Other youth organisations

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Flag Date Use Description
  1946–1989 Flag of Free German Youth
 
 		 1948–1990 Flag and pennant of Ernst Thälmann Pioneer Organisation
  1955–1994 Wiking-Jugend
 
 		 1932–1945 Flag and pennant of Deutsches Jungvolk
 
 
 		 1926–1945 Flags and pennant of Hitlerjugend
 
 
 
 		 1926–1935 Pennants of Hitlerjugend
  1935–1945 Pennant of League of German Girls
  1904–present Socialist Youth of Germany – Falcons

Sport flags

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Flag Date Use Description
  1956, 1960 and 1964 Flag of United Team of Germany at the Olympics
  1952–1990 Flag of Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik
  1957–1990 Flag of Deutscher Turn- und Sportbund
  1936–1945 Flag of Sports Office of the Third Reich
  1934–1945 Flag of Deutsche Jägerschaft
  1930's–1945 Flag of German Bicycle Union
  •  
    Pennant for the German Bicycle Union (1930s–1945)
  •  
    Pennant for the German Car Club (?–1945)
  •  
    Pennant for the German Aeronautic Union (1933–1937)
  •  
    Pennant for the German Canoeing Association [de] (2008–present)

Vexillology Associations flags

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Flag Date Use Description
  1995–present Flag of the German Vexillological Association
  Flag of World Vexillological Research Institute

Flags of German states

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Main article: Flags of German states

Flags of German districts

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Main article: List of district flags of Germany

Flags of German municipalities

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Main article: Lists of German municipal flags

Most municipalities have unique flags. Like state flags, most of them are with either a bicolour or tricolour stipes with or without the emblem ("wappen").

Unofficial regional flags

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Flag Date Use Description
 
 		 1952–present Flags of Baden
  1990's–present Flag of Franconia
  2006–present Flag of Frisia
  1952–present Flag of Mecklenburg
  1816–present Flag of Palatinate
  1945–present Flag of Pomerania
  ?–present Flag of Westphalia
  1945–present Flag of Württemberg

Political flags

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Flag Date Party Description
current
  1991–present Social Democratic Party of Germany
  2023–present Christian Democratic Union of Germany
  2016–present Christian Social Union in Bavaria
  2015–present Free Democratic Party
  1952–1968
  1993–present Alliance 90/The Greens "New" flag from 2023 with a change of colours to a darker shade of green and a slightly desaturated yellow.
  2021–present Alternative for Germany
  2007–present Die Linke
  2004–present South Schleswig Voters' Association
  2013–present National Democratic Party of Germany
  1964–? Still appearing in street demonstrations.
  2013–present The III. Path
  2012–present Ecological-Left Liberal Democratic Party
  2012–present The Right – Party for Referendum, Sovereignty and Homeland Protection
  2011–present Marxist–Leninist Party of Germany
  2005–present Bergpartei, die "ÜberPartei"
  2004–present Front Deutscher Äpfel
  2000s–present Identitarian movement
  1990–present Communist Party of Germany
  2021–present Free Saxony
former
  1870–1933 Centre Party Used before the Nazi period.
  1998–2005 Deutsche Heidnische Front
  1979–1995 Free German Workers' Party
  1977–1983 Action Front of National Socialists/National Activists
  1968–1986 Communist Party of Germany/Marxists–Leninists
  1949–1952 Socialist Reich Party
  1943–1945 National Committee for a Free Germany Also used the Flag of Germany (1867–1918) without the heading
  1930–1933 Black Front
  1920–1924 Union of Upper Silesians
  1920–1945 National Socialist German Workers' Party
 
 		 1919–1946 Communist Party of Germany (obverse and reverse)
  1918–1933 German National People's Party Flag of Germany (1867–1918)
East Germany
  1946–1989 Socialist Unity Party of Germany
  1945–1990 Christian Democratic Union
  1945–1990 Liberal Democratic Party of Germany
  1948–1990 Democratic Farmers' Party of Germany
  1948–1990 National Democratic Party of Germany
  1945–present People's Solidarity
  1945–1994 Peasants Mutual Aid Association
  1947–1990 Democratic Women's League of Germany
  ?–1990 Cultural Association of the GDR
other
  1990s–present Antifa
  1933–1935 Der Stahlhelm, Bund der Frontsoldaten
  1918–1933
  1932 Iron Front's Anti-Nazi Demonstration Flag
  1928–1933 Rural People's Movement
  1919–1921 Freikorps Roßbach

Religious flags

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Flag Date Use Description
  Flag of Evangelical Church in Germany
former
  1990s–2000s Flag of Heathen Front
  1932–1945 Flag of German Christians (movement)
  1900–c.1938 Flag of Order of the New Templars Golden background as a symbol of eternity, lilies as a symbol of (racial) purity, and the red swastika as a symbol of growing arioheroism.
  1871–1918 Old Church pennant

Ethnic groups flags

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Flag Date Use Description
  1989–present Flag of East Frisians
  2004–present Flag of North Frisians
  Flag of Plattdeutsch-speaking Germans
  1848–present Flag of Sorbs Official in Saxony.
  1955–present Flag of South Schleswig Danes
  Flag of Yenish people
  1829–1945 Flag of Masurians

Historical flags

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Francia, Kingdom of Germany, and the Holy Roman Empire (800–1806)

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Further information: Francia, Kingdom of Germany, and Holy Roman Empire
Flag Date Use Description
  c. 9th century Imperial Oriflamme of Charlemagne. A 3 pointed green banner with 8 golden crosses and 6 flowers.
  c. 12th–early 14th centuries War flag of the Holy Roman Empire A non-rectangular flag depicting a white cross on a red field
  1400–1523 Imperial Pavilion of Holy Roman Empire A non-rectangular flag depicting a black eagle on a yellow field with a red bar on top
  1400s War flag of the Holy Roman Empire Red swords crossed on top of one another on a field. The top of the field is black and the bottom of the field is white.

Teutonic Order State and Prussia (1226–1935)

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Further information: State of the Teutonic Order and Prussia
Flag Date Use Description
  1226–1525 Flag of the Teutonic Order State A black cross on a white field.
  1466–1772 Flag of Royal Prussia
  1525–1701 Flag of Ducal Prussia
  1701–1750 First flag of the Kingdom in Prussia A black eagle holding a rod and orb on a white field, a crown on top
  1701–1935 Civil flag of Prussia A bicolour design – white and black, split horizontally.
  1750–1801 Second flag of the Kingdom in Prussia and first flag of the Kingdom of Prussia A black eagle holding a sword and rod on a white field, a crown on top
  1801–1803 Second flag of the Kingdom of Prussia
  1803–1892 Third flag of the Kingdom of Prussia The same as the previous flag, but the crown in the top of the flag is smaller.
  1816 War flag of Prussia A smaller black crowned eagle with yellow arm plates, a rod and orb, all on a white field with an Iron Cross in the upper-left corner
  1892–1918 Fourth flag of the Kingdom of Prussia
  1895–1918 War flag of Prussia A non-rectangular flag depicting an Imperial Eagle in the centre of a white field, and in the upper-left corner, an Iron Cross is shown.
  1918–1933 Flag of the Free State of Prussia
  1933–1935 Service flag of the Free State of Prussia The same as the previous flag, but the phrase Gott mit uns reappears, and the eagle is holding a sword and two lightning bolts. The eagle also has a National Socialist swastika on the chest.

German Confederation (1815–1866)

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Further information: German Confederation
Flag Date Use Description
  1848–1866 Flag of the German Confederation, used in 1848–1849 and again in 1863–1866. First appeared within the Fürstentum Reuß-Greiz after 12 May 1778 (4:5 aspect ratio) Also used by the Empire of Germany (1848–1849)

North German Confederation (1866–1871)

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Further information: North German Confederation
Flag Date Use Description
  1867–1871 National and merchant flag (National- und Handelsflagge) A tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), white, and red (bottom)

German Empire (1871–1918)

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Further information: German Empire and Flag of the German Empire
Flag Date Use Description
  1871–1918 National and merchant flag (National- und Handelsflagge)
  1884–1918 Colonial flag
  1903–1919 War Ensign (Reichskriegsflagge)

Weimar Republic (1919–1933)

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Further information: Weimar Republic
Flag Date Use Description
  1919–1933 National flag (Nationalflagge)
  1921–1933 State flag (Dienstflagge zu Land)
  1921–1926 State ensign (Dienstflagge zur See)
  1926–1933 State ensign (Dienstflagge zur See)
  1919–1921 Flag of Defence Minister
  1921–1933 Flag of Defence Minister

Nazi Germany (1933–1945)

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See also: Nazi Germany, Flag of Nazi Germany, and Blutfahne

The flag with the swastika and white disc centered was used throughout (1920–1945) as the NSDAP flag (Parteiflagge).[2] Between 1933 and 1935, it was used as the mandotary party flag with the national black-white-red horizontal tricolour last used (up to 1918) by the German Empire. In 1935, the black-white-red horizontal tricolour was scrapped again, and the flag with the off-centre swastika and disc was instituted as the only national flag (and was to remain as such until 1945). The flag with the centered disc only continued to be used as the Parteiflagge after 1935.[citation needed]

Flag Date Use Description
Flags used 1933–1935
 
  • 1920–1945
A red field, with a white disc with a black swastika at a 45-degree angle. Disc and swastika are exactly in the centre.
  1933–1935
  • National flag (Nationalflagge)
  • Merchant flag (Handelsflagge)
 Black, white, and red horizontal tricolour. Used in conjunction with the Parteiflagge.
  1933–1935 Merchant flag variant with the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz)
  1933 Reich service flag (Reichsdienstflagge) of the Wehrmacht
  1933–1935 Reich service flag
  1933–1935 Flag of the Minister of Defence
Flags used 1935–1945
 
  • 1935–1945
  • 1935–1945
  • National flag[2]
  • Marine jack (Gösch)
  • Merchant ensign (Reichshandelsflagge[3])
 A red field, with a white disc with a black swastika at a 45-degree angle. Disk and swastika are slightly off-centre.
 
 1933–1945 Banner (Bannerflagge) of Germany Banners were of various lengths, which were hung vertically on public buildings.
 
 1933–1945 Banner (Bannerflagge) for the Schutzstaffel Banners that were also used by the national socialists (very rarely) along with the swastika.
  1935–1945 Merchant flag variant with the Iron Cross
  1935–1945 Reich service flag (Reichsdienstflagge)
  1935–1938 Flag of the Wehrmacht Commander in Chief (replaced the Minister of Defence)
  1935–1938 Kriegsmarine, Heer, Luftwaffe
  1938–1945 Kriegsmarine, Heer, Luftwaffe
  1935–1945 Schutzstaffel (SS)
  1921–1945 Sturmabteilung (SA)
  1935–1945 National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK)
  1936–1945 Flag of the Ordnungspolizei (OrPo) ("Order Police", the national regular police organization of National Socialist Germany)

World War II aftermath in Germany

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Allied Control Council (1945–1949) and Saar Protectorate

Flag Date Use Description
  1946–1950 "C-Pennant" (C-Doppelstander) (provisional civil ensign) Used during the Occupation Period to identify German ships according to international law.
  1947–1957 Flag of Saar Protectorate Flag of Saarland which was given by French Government. At this time period the Saar was a satellite state of France.

East Germany (1949–1990)

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See also: East Germany and Flag of East Germany
Flag Date Use Description
  1949–1959 State flag (Staatsflagge)
  1959–1990 State flag (Staatsflagge) 1959–1990
Merchant flag (Handelsflagge) 1973–1990		 Tricolour of black, red, and yellow (same as West German colours), but bears the coat of arms of East Germany, consisting of a compass and a hammer encircled with rye
 
 1963–1990 Hanging state flag (Bannerflagge)
  1955–1973 Flag of East German Post
  1975–1990 Flag of East German Post
  1960–1990 Flag of the National People's Army (Nationale Volksarmee or NVA)
  1960–1990 Regimental colours (Truppenfahne) of Nationale Volksarmee
  1962–1990 Flag of boats of the Border Troops

Baden-Württemberg

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Baden

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Flag Date Use Description
  1891–1918 Flag of Grand Duchy of Baden
  1862–1891 Flag of Grand Duchy of Baden
  1855–1862 Flag of Grand Duchy of Baden
  1848–1855 Flag of Grand Duchy of Baden
  1803-1848 Flag of Electorate of Baden and Grand Duchy of Baden
  medieval–1803 Banner of the Margraviate of Baden

Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen

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Flag Date Use Description
  1576–1850 Flag of the Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen

Leyen

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Flag Date Use Description
  1806–1814 Flag of the Principality of Leyen
  until 1798 Flag of the County of Adendorf

Württemberg

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Flag Date Use Description
  1817–1918 Flag of Kingdom of Württemberg
  1803–1816 Flag of Electorate of Württemberg and the first flag of the Kingdom of Württemberg
  medieval–1803 Banner of Duchy of Württemberg

Bavaria

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Bavaria

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Flag Date Use Description
  1945–1949 Flag of American Zone Flag of the United States
  1918 Flag of Bavarian Soviet Republic Red flag
  1805–1918 Flag of Kingdom of Bavaria
  1623–1806 Banner of Electorate of Bavaria
  1505–1623 Banner of Duchy of Bavaria
  1392–1505 Banner of Bavaria-Munich
  1353–1392 Banner of Bavaria-Landshut

Other countries in today's Bavarian lands

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Flag Date Use Description
  1105–1191 Banner of Burgraviate of Nuremberg under the Raabs
  1398–1791 Hohenzollern banner of Principalitys of Ansbach and Bayreuth
  1803–1810 Flag of Principality of Regensburg
  1805–1814 Flag of Grand Duchy of Würzburg

Brandenburg

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Flag Date Use Description
  1660–1750 Flag of Margraviate of Brandenburg
  c. 1684 Flag of Margraviate of Brandenburg
  1340–1657 Banner of Margraviate of Brandenburg-Küstrin

East Frisia

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Flag Date Use Description
  ?–1835 Flag of Lordship of Kniphausende
  1702–1751 Flag of Lordship of Kniphausen
  1689–1702 Banner of Lordship of Kniphausen

Hesse

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Flag Date Use Description
  1919–1923 Flag of Free State of Bottleneck
  1806–1918 Flag of Grand Duchy of Hesse
  1806–1866 Flag of Duchy of Nassau
  ?–1806 Flag of Nassau-Usingen
  ?–1866 Flag of Free City of Frankfurt
  1810–1813 Flag of Grand Duchy of Frankfurt
  1806–1815 Flag of County of Isenburg
  1807–1813 Flag of Kingdom of Westphalia

Lower Saxony

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Brunswick

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Flag Date Use Description
  1830–1918 Flag of Duchy of Brunswick
  1814–1830 Flag of Duchy of Brunswick

Hanover

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Flag Date Use Description
  1946 Flag of State of Hanover
  1814–1866 Flag of Kingdom of Hanover
  1692–1814 Flag of Electorate of Hanover

Oldenburg

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Flag Date Use Description
  1815–1918 Flag of Grand Duchy of Oldenburg Flag proportions: 3:5
Cross proportions: 9-6-9:12-6-22
  1810–1815 Flag of First French Empire
  1774–1810 Flag of Duchy of Oldenburg Flag proportions: 3:5
Cross proportions: 9-6-9:17-6-17
  ?–1774 Flag of County of Oldenburg

Schaumburg-Lippe

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Flag Date Use Description
  1647–1918 Flag of Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

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Flag Date Use Description
  1813–1918
1864–1918		 Flag of Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
  1630–1815 Flag of Swedish Pomerania Flag of Sweden

North Rhine-Westphalia

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Lippe

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Flag Date Use Description
  1880–1918 Flag of Principality of Lippe
  c.1858–1880 Flag of Principality of Lippe
  1811–1814 Flag of department of Lippe Flag of France

Other

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Flag Date Use Description
  1945–1949 Flag of British occupation zone in Germany Union Flag
  1923 Flag of Rhenish Republic
  1806–1808 Flag of Grand Duchy of Berg
  1803–1810 Flag of Arenberg
  1803–1806 Flag of County of Dülmen
  1798–1811 Flag of County of Dülmen
  1797–1802 Flag of Cisrhenian Republic
  1770–1803 Flag of Prince-Bishopric of Münster
  1166–1801 Flag of Free Imperial City of Aachen

Rhineland-Palatinate

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Palatinate

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Flag Date Use Description
  before 1604–1776 Flag of Electorate of the Palatinate
  1604–? Flag of Electorate of the Palatinate

Mainz

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Flag Date Use Description
  medieval–1803 Banner of the Electorate of Mainz

Trier

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Flag Date Use Description
  medieval–1801 Banner of the Electorate of Trier

Saarland

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Palatinate

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Flag Date Use Description
  1947–1956 Flag of Saar Protectorate
  1920–1935 Flag of Territory of the Saar Basin
  1798–1814 Flag of department of Sarre Flag of France

Saxony

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Flag Date Use Description
  1945–1949 Flag of Soviet occupation zone of Germany Flag of the Soviet Union
  1815–1918 Flag of Kingdom of Saxony
  1356–1806 Electoral flag of Electorate of Saxony
  10th cent.–1806 State flag of Electorate of Saxony
  around 950 Saxon flag by the House of Ascania; associated for the Saxon Ostmark and battleflag for the Saxon Eastern March

Saxony-Anhalt

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Anhalt

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Flag Date Use Description
  1806–1918 Flag of Duchy of Anhalt

Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen

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Flag Date Use Description
  1252–1468, 1603–1863
1396–1561, 1603–1863
1396–1562, 1603–1853		 Flag of Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen

Schleswig-Holstein

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Heligoland

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Flag Date Use Description
  1945–1952 Flag of British occupation zone in Germany Union Flag
  1807–1890 Flag of British Heligoland
  1807–1890 Government Ensign of British Heligoland
  1807–1890 Flag of the Lieutenant-Governor of British Heligoland

Holstein

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Flag Date Use Description
  ?–1864 Civil Ensign of Duchy of Holstein

Lübeck

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Flag Date Use Description
  medieval–1918 Flag of Free City of Lübeck

Saxe-Lauenburg

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Flag Date Use Description
  1814–1876 Flag of Saxe-Lauenburg

Schleswig

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Flag Date Use Description
  ?–1866 Flag of Duchy of Schleswig

Thuringia

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Reuss

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Flag Date Use Description
  1806–1918 Flag of Principality of Reuss-Gera
  1778–1918 Flag of Principality of Reuss-Greiz

Saxe-Altenburg

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Flag Date Use Description
  1893–1918 Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg

Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

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Flag Date Use Description
  1911–1920 Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
  ?–1826 Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Hildburghausen

Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg

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Flag Date Use Description
  1680–1826 Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg

Saxe-Meiningen

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Flag Date Use Description
  1826–1918 Flag of Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen

Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach

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Flag Date Use Description
  1897–1918 Flag of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
  1813–1897 Flag of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach

Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

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Flag Date Use Description
  1599–1918 Flag of Principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

Other

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Flag Date Use Description
  1989–1990 Defaced state flag Used by supporters of German reunification in East Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  1924–1933
1953		 Flag of the Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold The Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold was an unofficial republican paramilitary organization dominated by social democrats, liberals, and members of the Catholic Centre Party, to defend the Weimar Republic against National Socialists, communists, and monarchists. Refounded in 1953 as an association for political education.
  1914-1919 Spartacus League
  1816 Flag of Urburschenschaft
  1609–1635 Banner of the Catholic League
  1539 Banner of the Peasants' army
  medieval Banner of the Swabian League

Historic flag proposals

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Note: Ottfried Neubecker's proposal of 1919 and those of Josef Wirmer in 1944 and of his brother Ernst in 1948 are clearly modeled on the Nordic Cross flags used in all Nordic countries – the flags of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland all having the same horizontal cross, though differing in colour.

Flag Date Use Description
  1817 German unification flag at Wartburg Festival
  1832 German unification flag at Hambach Festival
  1926 Ottfried Neubecker's Proposal
  1944 Proposal for the flag of Germany after 1944 military coup d'état by Josef Wirmer; later considered for adoption by the Constitutional Convention at Herrenchiemsee (Wirmer flag)
  1948 Proposal for the flag for West Germany, based on Josef Wirmer's 1944 design, created by his brother, Ernst
  1948 Proposal for the flag for West Germany by Paul Wentzcke, based on 1848 republican designs
  1948 Proposal for the flag for West Germany by Edwin Redslob
  1948 Proposal for a national flag, by Robert Lehr

Nazi Germany occupations (1939–1945)

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Flag Date Use Description
  1940 Proposal flag for General Government of occupied Poland Flag proposal for the newly General Government, known only from the description.[4]
  1939–1945 Unofficial flag of New Swabia Flag of Reichskolonialbund and common flag for all German colonies during the Nazi period, in practice only for the New Swabia.

German colonial empire (1884–1918)

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See also: Coats of arms of German colonies
Flag Date Use Description
  1914 Proposal for German East Africa The flags of the German overseas colonies were first proposed in 1914, but were never implemented due to the breakout of World War I.
  Proposal for German Kamerun
  Proposal for German New Guinea
  Proposal for German Samoa
  Proposal for German South-West Africa
  Proposal for German Togoland

House Flags

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German shipping company

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Flag Date Use Description
  Aug. Bolten Wm. Miller’s Nachfolger
  ?–present Bossler shipping companies
  1819–present F. A. Vinnen & Co.de
  1871–present Hamburg Süd
  1920–present Hugo Stinnes Schiffahrt
  1901–present Johann M. K. Blumenthalde
  1903–present Leonhardt & Blumbergde
  1920–present Ludwig & Jakob Götzde
  1928–present Reederei Baltrum-Liniede
  1900–present Reederei Warringsde
  1982–present Rickmers Group
  ?–present Schiffswerft Philipp Ebert und Söhnede
  1890–present Unterweser Reedereide
  1946–present Waibel KGde
  1885–present Wyker Steamship Shipping Company Föhr-Amrumde
  1896–1922 Argo Reedereide
  1899–1969 A. Kirstende
  1875–2018 Cassens-Werftde
  1872–1926 Deutsche Dampfschiffahrtsgesellschaft Kosmosde
  1890–1942 Deutsche Ost-Afrika Linie
  1881–1980 DDG Hansa
  1873–1974 D. G. Neptunde
  1821–1918 D. H. Wätjen & Co.de
  1889–1970 Deutsche Levante-Liniede
  1898–1931 Emil R. Retzlaff
  1970s Fendel-Stinnes
  1958–1973 and 1991–1997 Hamburg Atlantic Line
  1847–1970 Hamburg America Line
  1887–1939 Hamburg-Bremen-Africa-linede
  1907–1920s Hugo Stinnes Linien GmbH
  1884–1914 Jantzen & Thormählen
  1850–1879 Liniendienst von Joh. Ces. Godeffroy & Sohn
  1924–1990 Lübeck Liniede
  1808–? Mathias Stinnesde
  1857–1970 Norddeutscher Lloyd
  1882–2018 Oldenburg-Portugiesische Dampfschiffs-Rhedereide
  1869–1967 Reederei Robert Meyhoeferde
  1905–1959 Roland-Liniede
  1885–1942 Woermann-Linie

German Chartered company

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Flag Date Use Description
  1882–1898 German New Guinea Company
  1884–1920 German East Africa Company
  1884–1885
  1885–1903 German West African Company
  1875–1939 Hernsheim & Co
  1887 Jaluit Societyde
  1888–?
  1878–1887 German trading and plantation company from the South Sea Islands

Other companies

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Flag Date Use Description
  1935–1937 Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei
  1904–? East African Railway Society

German yacht clubs

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Flag Club
  Academic Sailing Club in Kielde
  Blankeneser Segel-Clubde
  Flensburger Segel-Clubde
  Seebrucker Regatta-Verein
  Segelclub Rhe
  Segler Verein Wörthsee
  Segler-Gemeinschaft Utting e.V.
  Seglervereinigung 1903 Berlin
  Spandauer Yacht-Clubde
  Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee
  Württembergischer Yacht Club
  Yacht-Club Bad Wiessee e.V.
  The German Sea Sports Association HANSAde
  AYC-StAGde
  Hamburger Segel-Club
  Kaiserlicher Yacht Club
  Kieler Yacht-Club
  Lübecker Yacht-Club
 
 		 Marine-Regatta-Verein
  Norddeutscher Regatta Verein
  Yacht-Club Nürnbergde
  Segel-Club Oberhavelde
  Sailing Fellowship "The Coat of Arms of Bremen"de
  Segel-Motorboot-Club Friedrichshafende
  Stander ASV zu Halle
  Segel-Club "Ahoi"de
  Sailing club "Weser"de
  Water Sports Club 1921de
  Weser Yacht Club Bremerhavende
  Yacht-Club von Deutschland (Burgee)
  National Socialist Flyers Corps (NSFK)
  Feldgendarmerie (Field Military Police)
  Yacht-Club von Deutschland (Ensign)

References

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  1. ^ "Flags of the Holy Roman Empire", Wikipedia, 2020-09-24, retrieved 2021-01-25
  2. ^ a b c (in German) Herzfeld, Andreas (June 2001). "Einige unbekannte Flaggenänderungen 1933–1945". Der Flaggenkurier (in German) (13). Hennigsdorf: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Flaggenkunde: 17–23. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17.
  3. ^ Nazi German merchant ensign (1935-1945)
  4. ^ "German-Occupied Territories 1939-1945".
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