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| Flag of Croatia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Flag of Croatia |
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adoption | 21 December 1990 |
| Design | Three horizontal bands of red, white and blue with the coat of arms in the centre |
| Designer | unknown |
Flag of Croatia The national banner of the Republic of Croatia is a tricolour with a central coat of arms adopted during the late 20th century. It functions as a state symbol alongside the Coat of arms of Croatia, the National anthem of Croatia, and other insignia used by institutions such as the President of Croatia, the Croatian Parliament, and the Government of Croatia. The flag appears in international contexts including the United Nations, the European Union, and bilateral events with countries like the United States and the Russian Federation.
The flag consists of three equal horizontal bands: red (top), white (middle) and blue (bottom), with the national Coat of arms of Croatia centred on the white band. The tricolour draws on Pan-Slavic tones similar to flags of Russia, Slovakia, and Slovenia, while the checkerboard shield (chequy) evokes medieval heraldry seen in regions such as Dalmatia, Istria, and Zagreb. The shield is surmounted by a crown made of five smaller shields representing historic regions: the oldest arms associated with Croatia proper, the arms for Dubrovnik, the symbol for Dalmatia, the emblem of Istria County, and the motif linked to Slavonia. Official dimensions and colour codes are specified in legislation passed by the Croatian Parliament and administered by state bodies like the Ministry of Public Administration.
Croatia's vexillological history spans medieval heraldry, Habsburg-era banners, and modern national movements. The chequy appears in seals for medieval dukes and kings linked to the Kingdom of Croatia and the Kingdom of Hungary; iconography shows in artifacts related to rulers such as King Tomislav and later monarchs. Under the Austro-Hungarian Empire and during the reign of the Habsburg Monarchy, regional banners coexisted with imperial standards used in conflicts like the Napoleonic Wars and in institutions such as the Austrian Empire. In the 19th-century era of the Illyrian Movement, tricolour motifs featured in uprisings and events involving figures like Ante Starčević and Josip Juraj Strossmayer. The 20th century saw variants during the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the Independent State of Croatia, and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, with contributions from political actors such as Franjo Tuđman during the 1990s independence period and the Croatian War of Independence, which intersected with institutions like the European Community and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The red-white-blue tricolour aligns Croatia with Slavic symbolism used by nations including Czech Republic and Serbia while distinguishing national identity through the chequy and crown. The checkerboard pattern has been associated with dynasties and noble houses connected to regions like Dalmatian coast cities (for example, Split and Zadar) and inland centers such as Osijek and Rijeka. The five small shields reference historical entities including the maritime republics and medieval counties tied to treaties and assemblies such as the Pacta conventa and royal coronations in Biograd na Moru. Interpretations of colours and motifs have been debated during cultural discussions involving institutions like the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts and public figures in media outlets such as HRT.
Official variants include civil, state, and naval ensigns used by bodies like the Croatian Navy, the Ministry of Defence, and municipal governments such as the City of Zagreb. Presidential and parliamentary standards incorporate the coat of arms with additional emblems linked to offices like the President of Croatia and the President of the Croatian Parliament. Protocol for display follows rules applied at state events, diplomatic missions such as Croatian embassies accredited to the European Union and United Nations headquarters, and sporting events involving teams like the Croatia national football team at competitions organized by bodies including FIFA and UEFA. Flag-raising and half-mast procedures refer to legislation debated in the Sabor and enforced by agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior.
Legal definitions, adoption dates, and protection are established by statutes enacted by the Croatian Parliament and enforced by courts such as the Constitutional Court of Croatia when disputes arise. Official promulgation occurred in 1990 during the presidency of leaders including Franjo Tuđman, with subsequent regulations issued by ministries responsible for public symbols. Use on public buildings, diplomatic premises like embassies in Washington, D.C. or Brussels, and on military installations is codified; misuse can lead to administrative action guided by laws comparable to those debated in other states like Italy and Germany. Manufacturing standards reference vexillological practice discussed in forums such as the International Federation of Vexillological Associations.
Public reception has ranged from widespread support during independence movements to disputes over variant designs tied to historical periods such as the Independent State of Croatia and the socialist era. Controversies have involved political parties, NGOs, and cultural institutions including the Croatian Helsinki Committee and museums in cities like Dubrovnik concerning commemorations, displays at sporting events like matches against Serbia national football team, and interpretations raised in media by outlets such as Jutarnji list and Večernji list. International incidents have occasionally involved diplomatic interactions with states such as the Bosnia and Herzegovina and actions at multinational organizations including the United Nations Security Council.
Category:National symbols of Croatia