Luxembourg Flag

Red signifies courage and sacrifice, white stands for purity and openness, and light blue conveys the sky, loyalty, and the Luxembourgish spirit. The palette derives from the ducal coat of arms used since medieval times.

The tricolor was first used around the Belgian Revolution of 1830 and officially defined in 1845. Though widely understood, official law confirming its status only passed in 1972, distinguishing its lighter hues from the Dutch flag. A grand-ducal decree in 1993 clarified permitted ratios and formalized the civil ensign featuring the heraldic red lion, known as ‘Roude Léiw’.

A horizontal banner in red-white-light‑blue stripes. The national ratio is 3:5, though a 1:2 version may be used. The colors are defined precisely to prevent confusion with similarly designed national flags. Luxembourg also officially uses a civil ensign—the ‘Roude Léiw’—comprised of ten alternating blue-white stripes overlaid with a crowned red lion, in a 5:7 ratio.

While no formal Flag Day is codified, Luxembourg flies its flag in full form on National Day (23 June), alongside European Union and regional flags. National law prohibits substitution of the tricolor for official functions without government approval. The civil ensign is permitted for maritime and sporting events but cannot replace the national flag as the sovereign emblem.