National Flag and Civic Flag of the Republic of Austria (1945)
Republik Österreich

Following the defeat and break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of First World War, the Republic of Austria was established on the 12th of November 1918.  

The new Republic of Austria adopted a simple red-white-red horizontal striped pattern as its national flag. The red-white-red stripes had already been in use on flags in the region from late in the 18th century.  

During German occupation from 1938-1945, use of the Austrian flag was banned, however, the Republic was re-established at the end of the Second World War, in 1945 and the red-white-red flag was reinstated.

The current civil flag dates from the 1st of May 1945.

The State Arms appear on the state flag, centred on the white stripe and entering the fields of red, above and below. 

The current state flag dates from the 27th of April 1984.

The Symbolic Meaning

The use of red and white is linked to the shield of the Austrian coat of arms and can be traced back to at least the early part of the 13th century. 

Different accounts are given to explain the history of the colours, some noting the red as symbolic of the blood of the people in conflict and the white symbolic of purity or the snow on the Alps.  

One legend credits the adoption of the red-white-red stripes to Duke Leopold V in the late 12th century. Losing his battle standard in conflict, the Duke is said to have raised his bloodied white tunic on a staff. 

The tunic was reddened with blood except across the waist band where his belt left the tunic unstained and white.