National Flag of Austria

Austrian Flag Description:
The Austrian flag consists of three equal horizontal strips. The top and bottom stripes are red and the middle stripe is white.

Austrian Flag Meaning:
Legend has it that Duke Leopold V. of Austria (1157-1194) was involved in a battle during the Crusades, and after the fight his white battledress was soaked in blood. When he removed his belt, though, the cloth underneath was still white. That very sight is said to have inspired the red, white and red stripes on the Austrian flag.

Austrian Flag History:
The Austrian flag originated when Duke Friedrich II (1210-1246) wanted Austria to become more independent of the Roman Empire so he and adopted the red-white-red flag in 1230. The empire of Austria was founded in 1806. In 1938 it became a province of Nazi Germany. The allies occupied Austria after the Second World War until it became fully independent in 1955, on the condition that it remained neutral. The current version of the Austrian flag was adopted on April 27, 1984.

Interesting Austrian Flag Facts:
The Austrian and Danish flags are believed to be among the oldest national flag designs in the world.

The Austrian flag wasn't used during Austria's unification with Nazi Germany in 1938 until it gained independence in 1945.