Austria
Shape
Europe · Central Europe
Outline not to scale
About the flag
Austria's flag is three equal horizontal stripes of red, white and red, and it is one of the oldest national flags in the world. A popular legend says Duke Leopold V's white tunic was soaked in blood during the Siege of Acre in 1191, except for a white band where his belt had been. The colours actually come from the coat of arms of the Babenberg dukes, who ruled Austria in the Middle Ages.
Often confused with
Latvia's red is a darker carmine and its white stripe is much narrower than the red ones. Equal stripes in bright red mean Austria.
Only the names are similar: Australia is the large country in the Southern Hemisphere with a blue flag full of stars.
Quizzes for Europe