Flags are essentially banners that denote some form of identity. Banners, of course, come in all shapes and sizes. So do flags. However, all but one of the world’s national flags are four-sided, and a vast majority of those are rectangular. The most common rectangular proportions for national flags are 1:2 (i.e. the flag is twice as long as it is wide) the and 2:3 (i.e. the flag is 1.5 times as long as it is wide).
The flag of Zimbabwe. A typical example of 1:2 proportion
The flag of France. A well known 2:3 proportion flag.
After conducting a quick count (and providing my arithmetic served me correctly) I calculated that approximately 45% of all countries have a 1:2 proportioned flag, whilst approximately 30% have 2:3 proportioned flags. The remaining 25% of national flags have other proportions. 3:5 is the next most common, which is a size that slots in between the two dominant sizes.
Germany’s Bundesflagge is probably the most recognisable 3:5 proportioned flag.
The Star Spangled Banner is in fact a 1:1.9 proportioned flag, which to the naked eye appears identical to a 1:2 flag (such as that of the USA’s former colonial master Great Britain). In fact, colonial ties play a remarkably influential role in the size and proportions of national flags. Many former British colonies (such as Zimbabwe, flag pictured above) adopted the flag dimensions of the Union Jack upon attaining independence. Similarly, many French colonies (of which there are numerous in central Africa) also designed new flags, but retained the Tricolor’s proportions of 2:3. (A bit of trivia is that Liberia’s flag shares the rare 1:1.9 dimensions with the US flag, given the historical relationship between these states).
Returning to the point made about banners in the opening paragraph, it is remarkable that only two national flags are square! Surely, when designing a banner (and even a flag) a square is just as viable a choice as that of a rectangle? Well, apparently not, since the only two states that have square flags are Switzerland and the Vatican City (a square flag naturally has a proportion of 1:1).
The square flag of the Vatican, adopted in 1929
The square flag of Switzerland, adopted in 1889
Of course, apart from being the only states to fly square national flags, these two states share another important historical connection, namely the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Contrary to popular belief, various European kingdoms have in fact employed Swiss Guards throughout history. Given its current per capita income (4th highest in the world) it is ironic that for much of its existence Switzerland was a relatively poor state – it is, after all, small, landlocked, mountainous and surrounded by the most powerful states in Europe. As a result of such limited economic prospects at home, young Swiss men often became soldiers of fortune in the many conflicts of post-medieval Europe (despite their current diplomatic neutrality, the Swiss have a long and illustrious military history). At one time or another, Swiss mercenaries fought for France, Spain, Napoli, and the Netherlands. At the Battle of Bailén (1808) between France and Spain both armies fielded a number of Swiss mercenaries who eventually came to blows during the battle. Their loyalty and competence as soldiers also earned them the trust of many royal courts, where the Swiss were employed as palace guards. The adoption of Swiss neutrality in 1874 put an end to this practice, with the exception of the Pontifical Swiss Guard in the Vatican, which has protected the Pope since 1506.
A member of the Swiss Guard is sworn in by reciting an oath of allegiance whilst holding the Guard standard (note the distinctive colours employed by both the uniform and flag)
To this day, the requirements for becoming a member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard are strictly adhered to, namely:
- The candidate must be a male of Swiss nationality
- He must be of catholic faith
- He must be single
- He must be at least 1.74m tall
In my opinion, it is apt that the unique relationship between the Vatican and Switzerland is also shared between the flags of these two states.
anapophist 