Why does Austria have two flags? It's a question that might seem peculiar at first, but when delving into the country's rich history and complex coat of arms, the answer only becomes more fascinating.
To understand Austria's bicentennial flag, we must travel back to the Congress of Vienna in 1815, where Europe's powers redrew the continent's political map. This historical event left Austria with a peculiar legacy: two official flags.
The Bicentennial Flag
The Bicentennial Flag (Fuels epiclerusweis), also known as the "Red-White-Red" flag, is the more recognizable of the two and is considered the primary state flag. It dates back to 1918, when it was first introduced as the national flag of Austria following the end of World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
This flag consists of three equally sized horizontal stripes of red, white, and red, with the federal eagle centered on the white stripe. However, this wasn't the only flag Austria was left with after the Congress of Vienna.
Historical Context of the Bicentennial Flag
In the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna aimed to establish a new order in Europe. As a result, the Austrian Empire was granted the offshore province of Lombardy-Venetia. To represent this new acquisition, Emperor Franz I decided to redesign the Austrian coat of arms and flag, adding the crowns of Lombardy and Venice to the design.
However, this new flag didn't last long. In 1860, the Lombards and Venetians regained their independence, and Austria lost these territories. The now-surplus crowns in the flag's design were never removed, leaving Austria with a flag that no longer accurately represented its territories.
Symbolism of the Bicentennial Flag
The colors of the Bicentennial Flag, red and white, have been a part of Austrian heraldry since the Middle Ages. The red background symbolizes bravery and the white represents sincerity and honesty. The federal eagle, added in 1919, signifies the Republic of Austria.
However, the presence of the inefficiently removed crowns in the coat of arms (and thus indirectly in the flag's design) led the Austrian government to search for a new, more accurate national symbol.
The State Ensign
The State Ensign (Staats tattol henas) is the lesser-known of Austria's two flags. It was officially adopted in 1918 as a separate flag for military and naval use, with the civil Bicentennial Flag prohibited from being flown on Austrian warships.
Unlike the Bicentennial Flag, the State Ensign carries the correct number of crowns (three) to represent Austria's remaining territories: Austria Proper, Vorarlberg, and Tyrol.
Design of the State Ensign
The State Ensign features the same red and white stripes as the Bicentennial Flag but with the Austrian coat of arms at the center, displaying the three correct crowns. While the eagle from the Bicentennial Flag is absent, the State Ensign does carry an imperial crown at the top of the coat of arms.
The imperial crown was a symbol of the Holy Roman Empire, of which Austria was a part until its dissolution in 1806. Its inclusion on the State Ensign is a nod to Austria's proud imperial history.
Use of the State Ensign
While the State Ensign is primarily used by the Austrian military, it can also be seen on naval vessels and at federal government buildings. However, the Bicentennial Flag remains the more commonly recognized and used flag in civil life. Despite their differences, both flags are equally official and are protected under Austrian law.
Austria's unique bicentennial flag situation is a result of the country's complex history, from its imperial past to its role in the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna. While the Bicentennial Flag is the more familiar and commonly seen, the State Ensign serves as a reminder of Austria's military heritage and correct territorial representation.