National Flag of the Republic of Croatia (1990)

The current Croatian national flag is based on a horizontal striped tricolour flag first adopted in 1848.

From 1918 to 1941 and again from 1945 to 1990, Croatia was part of a federation of Slavic states eventually known as Yugoslavia ('Land of the Southern Slavs').

The years between 1941 and 1945 saw an independent Croatia flying a horizontal striped tricolour flag (red, white and blue), incorporating independence and political motifs.

Following the demise of the communist led government of Yugoslavia in January 1990 and the election of a pro-independence regional government, Croatia adopted its current national flag on the 22nd of December 1990. 

Croatian independence was formally recognised in January 1992.

The Symbolic Meaning

Red and white are Croatia's national colours, with the addition of blue they form the traditional Slavic colours.

Centrally placed on the flag is Croatia's traditional red and white chequered coat of arms; on top of the coat of arms are five shields representing the different regions that make up Croatia.

Included are: the ancient arms of Croatia (golden star above a silver crescent), Dubrovnik (two red stripes), Dalmatia (three golden lions' heads), Istria (golden goat with red horns and hooves) and Slavonica (golden star above a black marten on a red stripe with silver fimbriations).

Blue, white and red are traditional Slavic colours; together they are referred to as the pan-Slavic colours.

They were initially adopted by Slavic nations in the mid-19th century at a time when many of them lacked autonomy and were influenced by the flag of Russia (which was in turn influenced by the Dutch flag), an independent Slavic country at the time.

The colours now symbolise Slavic unity and independence and can be seen in the flags of a number of the Slavic nations.