10 World’s Oldest Flags (Updated 2024)

Tracing the exact origins of any flag from around the world can be difficult as many of them do not have concrete histories. Several of the oldest flags have histories that are based on legends, which may not be historically accurate.

Additionally, flags often undergo several changes and its rare for a country’s flag to look the same as it did when it was first used. Despite these challenges, we have compiled a list that best represents what are widely believed to be the world’s oldest flags.

Note that while many of the flags on this list have legendary origins, we chose not to use these dates as they have been widely disputed and lack concrete historical evidence to back up these claims. Otherwise, the order of the flags on this list would be much different.

10. Japan

Like many of the oldest flags, the Japanese flag’s origin is shrouded in myths and legends. The Japanese consider 660 BCE to be the country’s founding date and they believe that the first Emperor of Japan was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. Due to this (legendary) history, the sun symbol has always been important in Japan, especially on the country’s flag.

The first recorded use of a sun-motif flag in Japan dates back to 701 — if this story is true, it would make Japan’s flag the oldest. However, this history is often disputed and outside of Japan the country’s flag is rarely considered the oldest in the world. The oldest existing Japanese flag only dates back to before the 16^th century and again, comes with legendary history that places it from the 11^th century.

Did You Know?

Of all the flags on this list, the flag of Japan is the most controversial and faces the most backlash when publicly displayed. This is due to the Rising Sun Ensign version of the Japanese flag, which was used by the Japanese Empire during World War II. The Japanese flag became seen as a symbol of ultra-nationalism and intimidation. These issues still persist today, leading to many protests and lawsuits.

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9. Netherlands

The modern Dutch flag (Netherlands) is a variation of the Prince’s Flag used by William Prince of Orange in the Dutch Revolt against King Philip II of Spain during the late 16^th century. This tricolor flag was originally orange, white, and blue.

Eventually, the top orange strip was changed to red sometime after 1630. According to the CIA World Factbook, the color change may have been due to the orange dye fading to red over time. Additionally, the CIA Factbook considers the Dutch flag to be the oldest tricolor in continuous use. This claim is helped by the fact that most of the earliest flags only used two colors.

Did You Know?

While the official Dutch flag is a red, white, and blue triband, many people prefer the original orange, white, and blue flag and it is unofficially displayed in nationalists contexts, for example sporting events and the Olympics.

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8. Sweden

The history of the Swedish flag can be hard to trace as several different stories about its origin exist. Some theories suggest that the blue and yellow of the flag have been used by the Swedish royal court since at least 1275. Another story says that the flag’s colors were inspired by the present Swedish coat of arms from 1442.

A few of the oldest preserved Swedish flags show that the early flag’s colors may have actually been blue and white. In fact, the first legal description of the flag with a yellow cross on a blue background only dates to 1562.

Did You Know?

According to legend, the golden cross against a blue background was first used by King Eric IX, who supposedly saw a golden cross appear in the sky as he landed in Finland during the First Swedish Crusade in 1157.

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7. Switzerland

The flag of Switzerland is one of only two square sovereign-state flags in the world, the other belongs to Vatican City. Although officially the flag is square, Swiss ships, boats, and non-government bodies often fly a rectangular version of the Swiss flag.

The Swiss flag’s history can be traced back to three different legends: the Theban Legion, the  Reichssturmfahne (Imperial War Banner) during the 12^th century, and the Arma Christi in the 13^th century. While all of these groups may have used a red flag with white cross, the square flag was first used sometime in the 1470s.

Did You Know?

The Red Cross symbol (a red cross on a white background) is a direct inverse of the Swiss flag. This symbol became the original protection symbol declared by the first Geneva convention and pays tribute to the founder of the Red Cross, the Swiss Henry Dunant.

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6. Albania

The imagery of a black double-headed eagle on a red background was used by noble families of Albania as far back as the Middle Ages. These families borrowed the double-headed eagle from the banner of the Byzantine Empire.

The design of Albania’s modern flag is directly traced back to the House of Kastrioti’s coat of arms. Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg used a red flag with a black double-headed eagle when he led a revolt against the Ottoman Empire resulting in Albania’s independence.

Since then, the symbol of the double-headed eagle has been re-used by Albanian nationalists each time the country has fought for its independence. The flag was formally adopted in 1912.

Did You Know?

During the 1990s, the Albanian flag was used as a symbol of the unofficial Republic of Kosova, a self-declared proto-state in Kosovo.

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5. Royal Standard of Norway

photo source: Wikimedia Commons via Ssolbergj

While the current national flag of Norway has only been in use since 1821, the Royal Standard of Norway definitively dates back to around 1318 when it was used on the seal of Duchess Ingebjørg. The flag may even go back further as Erik Magnusson is said to have flown a flag in 1280 that depicted a golden lion with a crown and axe on a red background.

Originally, the Royal Standard was only used by the King of Norway, but for a time it was used to represent the country. However in starting in the 17^th century until 1814, Norway used the same flag as Denmark as both countries were unified during this time. The Royal Standard was re-introduced in 1905 following the dissolution of the union between Sweden and Norway and once again is only used by the King of Norway.

Did You Know?

After Norway became its own kingdom again in 1905, the Royal Standard of Norway made its first appearance in several centuries on November 25^th when King Haakon VII arrived in the capital.

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4. Scotland

Many people claim that the Scottish flag, also known as the Saltire or St Andrew’s Cross, is the oldest flag in the world based on a widely cited legend dating back to 832 CE. According to the legend, King Angus Mac Fergus prayed to God for a victory against the Angles, led by Æthelstan. On the morning of the battle, clouds appeared forming a white diagonal cross (the same one that St  Andrew was martyred on) against the blue sky.

Based on this legend, many people see 832 CE as the official date that the Scottish adopted the Saltire. However, there is no real evidence or historic records that show St Andrew’s cross was used as any sort of emblem during this time period.

The earliest known use of St Andrew as a national emblem only dates back to around 1286. Additionally, St Andrew’s cross first began appearing on flags sometime in the late 14^th century. Regardless of when St Andrew’s cross was actually first used, the Scottish flag is one of the oldest flags in the world.

Did You Know?

The first definitive depiction of the Saltire as it is known today dates back to 1542 in the armorial of Sir David Lindsay.

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3. Latvia

The Latvian flag looks similar to many of the world’s oldest flags, which also have a red and white color scheme. While no one knows for sure when the red and white flag was first used in Latvia, there is historical evidence that shows the flag could have been used as early as the 13^th century. A red flag with a white stripe was first mentioned in the Rhymed Chronicle of Livonia — the flag was used in 1279 during a battle between ancient Latvian tribes from Cēsis.

The red and white flag was formally adopted in 1918 and was used until Soviet occupation of Latvia began in 1940. The flag of independent Latvia was finally restored in 1990.

Did You Know?

According to legend, the red of the Lativian flag represents the blood of a Latvian chief who was wounded in battle and wrapped in a white sheet. The white part depicts where the chief was laying while the two edges were stained with his blood.

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2. Austria

The flag of Austria is often one of the top contenders for world’s oldest flag. The red and white triband may have been used as early as 1105 and is based on the coat of arms of the medieval Babenberg dynasty. Although this predates the Danish flag by a century, the first documented official use of the  triband did not occur until 1230.

According to Austrian legend, the country’s flag was invented by Duke Leopold V of Austria as a consequence of his fighting during the Siege of Acre (1189 – 1191). While this story is probably not true, the rulers of Austria have been using red-white-red triband colors since the late 13^th century.

Did You Know?

From around 1700 – 1918, the flag of Austria was black and gold, modeled after the colors of banner of the Holy Roman Empire. The use of the black and gold colors started because, Holy Roman Emperor Francis II of the Habsburg dynasty declared his personal domain to be the Austrian Empire.

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1. Denmark

Although several countries lay claim to having the oldest flag, the flag of Denmark is widely considered to be the oldest existing flag in the world. Officially, the flag is known as Dannebrog and traces its history back to at least 1219. The flag is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest continuously used national flag.

According to legend, the flag fell from heaven during a battle in Lyndanisse, Estonia. While the legend may have appeared around 1500, there is evidence that a red flag with a white cross was being used by the Danish since around 1340 – 1370. The Dannebrog is shown in a Gelre Armorial from around this time alongside the coat of arms of the King of Denmark.

Did You Know?

Despite being a popular flag, the Dannebrog was banned from private use in 1834. However, many people disobeyed the law and still openly displayed the flag and the ban was officially lifted in 1854.