German Flag

Black, Red, and Gold: The colors represent national unity and bourgeois freedom, linking to the movement for unity and freedom as well as the values of Germany's first republic. While the origins cannot be identified with certainty, they were attributed to the uniforms of the Lützow Volunteer Corps who fought against Napoleon - black uniforms with red piping and golden buttons. The colors symbolize Germany's democratic values, openness to the world, and its commitment to unity and freedom. In modern times, they represent a shared national identity and history that Germans unite under during moments of national pride.

The origins trace back to the Wars of Liberation in 1815, attributed to the Lützow Volunteer Corps uniforms. The colors gained popularity through the Jena Original Student Fraternity flag, which included many Lützow Corps veterans. National symbolism began largely because Germans mistakenly believed they represented the old German Empire. Widespread adoption started with the Hambach Festival in 1832, where participants carried black-red-gold flags. They became associated with national unity and bourgeois freedom during the 1848/49 Revolution, when both the Frankfurt Federal Diet and German National Assembly officially declared them colors of the German Confederation. After 1866, Otto von Bismarck introduced black, white and red (Prussia's black-white plus Hanseatic red) under German unification. During the Weimar Republic, debate was divisive - black, red and gold became official Reich colors, but the national ensign featured black, white and red with Reich colors in the upper hoist quarter. East Germany (GDR) also adopted black, red and gold but added a hammer and compass emblem in 1959. After reunification, these colors became the emblem of united Germany.

Three equal horizontal stripes arranged from top to bottom: Black stripe (top), Red stripe (middle), Gold stripe (bottom). The design follows a simple tricolor horizontal pattern with equal proportions for each stripe. The colors create a distinctive and recognizable national symbol that has evolved through different periods of German history while maintaining its core identity.

The flag serves as a symbol of shared German identity and history, particularly visible during moments of national pride such as the football World Cup when Germans unite under these colors. Standard flag protocol applies for respectful display and handling. The flag represents Germany's democratic values and international standing as an open, democratic nation. It should be displayed with dignity befitting its status as the official national flag of reunified Germany, embodying the country's commitment to unity, freedom, and democratic principles established in the Basic Law.