National Flag of Croatia

Proportions: 1:2 Croatian Flag Description:
The Croatian flag consists of three horizontal stripes - the top stripe is red; the middle one white; and the bottom stripe is blue. In the middle of the flag sits the Croatian coat of arms.

Croatian Flag Meaning:
The Croatian flag's colors were inherited from the country's coat of arms. An unofficial interpretation of the flag states that the colors represent the three symbols of Croatian history and people - the red represents the blood of Croatian martyrs; the white symbolizes Croatia's peaceful lamb like nature; and the blue represents Croatian devotion to God. The main area of the coat of arms is a checkerboard (chequy) that consists of 13 red and 12 silver (white) fields. The checkerboard has been a symbol of Croatian kings since at least the 10th Century. Above the checkerboard are five crowning coats which represent the historical regions from which Croatia originated.

Croatian Flag History:
The Croatian flag was adopted on December 21, 1990, making it one of the world's newer flags. Croatia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. The red, white and blue have been used as Croatia's flag since 1848.

Interesting Croatian Flag Facts:
When Croatia was part of Yugoslavia its flag was the same, except for a five-pointed red star with a yellow border in place of the coat of arms.