Deutsche Fahne or the German flag is a combination of three colours, black, red and gold and these are presented in three equal parts. The colours on display are also recognised as the national colours of Germany and this particular composition was first adopted as a national flag during the time of the Weimer Republic in 1919.
Throughout the history of Germany there have been two particularly competing traditions in the context of these national colours. They have either been in the sequence of black-red-gold or black-white-red. Both of these combinations have played a significant role in the modern history of Germany. In the case of the first, the black-red-gold, this combination was created in the early parts of the 19th century and its prominence scaled new heights at the time of the 1848 revolution. When the Frankfurt Parliament was constituted between 1848 and 1850, for the first time a proposition was made as per which the black-red-gold combination was to become the flag of the democratically united Germany. Furthermore, with the conclusion of the World Wars both East Germany and West Germany by 1949 had adopted their own tri coloured flags. However both these flags till about 1959 remained identical. That same year the flag of East Germany was fused with the Coat of Arms of East Germany. When the reunification process came through with its realisation on the 3rd of October, 1990, this all new Germany went on to adopt the black-red-gold tricolour to be their national flag.
In the year 1866 when the Austro-Prussian War was underway, the North German Confederation which was dominated by the Prussians, they adopted black-white-red combination as their flag. Moreover, with the German unification in 1871 this very flag became the flag of the German Empire. It remained the flag of the empire till 1918. Then when the Nazi’s took over in 1933, the colours: black, white, and red were brought forward again as the national colours of Germany. They then were reintroduction as the national colours of Germany and replaced the initial German republican colours with the imperial colours till the Second World War came to an end.
Modern German flag and its colours is representative of the original republican democracy which had existed prior to the beginning of World War I, furthering the states spirit of unity and freedom. During the phase of the Weimer Republic, the black, red and gold colours were emblematic of the democratic, centrist, and republican political parties. This was also evident from the Black, Red, and Gold Banner of the Reich (Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold). It was an organisation which was formulated during the time of the Weimar Republic itself by the constitution of the members of the Social Democratic, the Centre, and the Democratic parties while they stood in defence of the republic in response to the extremism on the part of the right and the left winged parties. Their aim was to maintain the sacrosanct nature of the parliamentary democracy against the subversive and extreme nature of the others and also to enlighten the population so that they begin to respect the new Republic and honour the flag along with the constitution.
Origin stories and the History
Germany and its association with the colours: black, red, and gold came about during the radical period of the 1840’s. At that point in time the black, red and gold flag was in use and it symbolised the movement in opposition to the Conservative European Order which was established when Napoleon was defeated. The colours – black, red and gold were declared as the official colours of German Confederation by the Frankfurt Parliament.
The Frankfurt Parliament was one which was freely elected for the whole of Germany on the 1st of May 1848. It came into existence primality because of the resultant consequences of the March Revolution which was in operation in the states of the German Confederation. Moreover, as far as the German Confederation is concerned it wasn’t properly formulated either. It was more so a loose association of 39 German states that were located in Central Europe by the decree of the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The Congress of Vienna held discussion for almost a year between November 1814 and June 1815. Their objective was to put forward a long term peace plan for Europe as a whole by settling certain issues of critical importance which came about during and after the Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. It was also aimed to realise the main powers so that balance of power could be attained and matters of conflict minimised. The German Confederation as an institutional body was meant to replace the Holy Roman Empire along with arranging coordination’s between the German speaking countries.
The declaration of the Parliament of Frankfurt concerning the colours came in consideration and context of all of the above histories. The black, red and gold thus became the official hues. Among the three, the red was used in reference to the Hanseatic League. On the other hand, the gold and the black were symbolic of the Austrian Empire. However, there are speculations also floating around with respect to the origins of the colour scheming as was seen in the flag of 1848. Certain proposition suggests that this particular scheming of colours were in-fact taken from the Jena Student’s League.
As per the various stories, it was actually the banner of the radically minded group called: Burschenschaften. Burschenschaften was a part of the traditional Studentenverbindungen or student fraternities hailing from Germany. Their origins go back to the 19th century and were an association of the University students. The student bodies of that time were extremely influenced by the liberal and nationalistic ideals. Also, thus they began to get involved in the various revolutionary activates. More prominently was their involvement in the March Revolution along with the Unification of Germany. Such groups and associations faced a life crisis after the formation of the German Empire in 1871 simply because their main political objective came into existence. In the due course of time many such organisations sprouted and then also got dissolved mainly by the decree of the National Socialist Regime in 1935 and in the following year of 1936 as well. By the 1950’s with some scope they re-established themselves in West Germany but were back again in the crisis mode a few decades down the line, during the 1960’s and 1970’s. This was mainly because of the left-ward inclination of the political outlook of the German Students Movements. Today, one can find about 160 Student Fraternities in Germany and Austria.
One of the other claims concerning the schema of the colours of the flag comes from uniforms that were worn by the Lützow Free Corps. It comprised of mainly black with red facings and golden buttons. This group again comprised of university students which was constituted during the period of Napoleonic occupation. Amidst all these turmoil’s the colours somehow became the national colours of Germany and particularly when they were reinstated in the Weimar Regime. In the context of today’s interpretations they symbolise liberalism in general.
The Many Flags of Germany
- Civil Flag: Bundesflagge or the national German flag is composed of the trio: black, red and gold. Its introduction dates back to the year 1949 which was a part of the West German Constitution. Eventually, the many governments along with the usage of separate military flags during the later years, the plain tricolour began to be used as the German civil flag and civil ensign. Furthermore, non-federal bodies also tend to use this very flag to symbolise their link with the federal government. It can be observed that the many German states and their authorities use the German national flag along with their own flag for this very purpose.
- Government Flag: The official governments flag of Germany is called the Dienstflagge der Bundesbehörden or the state flag of the federal authorities. It was inducted in the year 1950 and it can be distinguished from the others as it is the civil flag which has been defaced with the Bundesschild or the Federal Shield. The Federal Shield overlaps about 1/5th of the black and gold bands of the flag and is a variant of the coat of arms of Germany. The Bundesschild also carries illustration of the eagle and has been designed to appear in the shape of a shield. That is, the Bundesschild has a rounded base and the standardised coat of arms appears to be pointed. As far its usage is concerned, it is deemed to be only used by the authorities of the Federal Government of Germany and its usage otherwise, by civilians that is, is a matter of a punishable offence.
- Vertical Flag: Many of the public buildings in Germany in addition to the usual horizontal format of the flags also carry a vertical version. It has been observed that the flags of the numerous town halls can only exist in their vertical format. However, there is no particular declaration that deems it to be so. In the year 1996, the vertical layout of the government flag was established as per which: the Bundesschild or the Federal Shield has to be placed exactly in the centre and also will overlap 1/5th of the black and gold bands, as is in the case of the usual horizontal flag. When this vertical flag is hung, it is mandatory that the black band be on the left side and in case it is hung on a flag staff then the black must face the staff itself.
- Military Flag: The armed forces of Germany are regarded as a federal authority. They use the Bundesdienstflagge as the German war flag on land. The naval flag on the other hand carries a nay jack.
The Design
German constitutions article 22 decrees the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany. It further states that the federal flag should be black, red and gold with respect to the specifications that were set by the West German government in the year 1950. As per these specification, the flag must display three colour bars which should be of equal width. Its length to width ration should be 3:5. Interestingly, the tricolour which was in use during the time of the Weimar Republic, it had a ratio of 2:3.
As per a federal decree dated 22nd March 2005 the flag can only and must be flown from all public buildings, particularly on the following dates:
- 27 January: It is the Commemoration Day for the Victims of National Socialism or Tag des Gedenkens an die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus. The reason for the celebration is that it marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp in the year 1945. This particular day is also observed by the United Nations as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day a half-mast is maintained.
- 1 May: It is the International Workers’ Day or Tag der Arbeit. This day was marked for the German labour unions. On this day the workers demonstrate for the cause of workers’ welfare.
- 9 May: This day is marked to be known as Europe Day or Europatag. It also is meant to celebrate Schuman Declarations anniversary which led to the formation of European Union in the year 1950.
- 23 May: This day is known as the Basic Law Day and is meant to celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of the German Basic Law in 1949.
- 17 June: On this day the Germans celebrate the anniversary of the Uprising of 1953 in East Germany.
- 20 July : This day marks the anniversary of the July 20 plot. It was a failed plot by Claus von Stauffenberg in 1944 to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
- 3 October: This day is celebrated as German Unity Day or Tag der Deutschen Einheit marking German reunification in the year 1990.
- The 2nd Sunday before Advent: This day is celebrated as the National day of mourning or Volkstrauertag. It is meant to be in the memory of all those who were killed during the time of the World Wars.