Flag Overview
Meaning of the Flag
Like many other nations around the world, Hungary has a national flag that features a triband design. This triband features three different colors. The tricolor design was based on the tricolor flag of France, while the color selection was taken from the Hungarian coat of arms. According to Hungarian folklore, the colors are designed to represent virtues including strength and hope.
Today, the nation’s new constitution officially translates the meaning of the colors, which will be explained in more detail in the next section.
Colors of the Flag
As previously mentioned, the Hungarian flag features a triband design. Each horizontal band is the same size as the next. The top band is red, the center band is white, and the bottom band is green.
According to folklore, the red band stands for strength, the white band stands for faithfulness, and the green band symbolizes hope. In the new constitution, the meaning is changed slightly. While the red band stands for strength and the green band represents hope, the white band now represents fidelity.
Another interpretation of the colors of the bands are that red is for the blood that was spilled for the nation, white is for freedom, and green represents the nation’s land.
History of the Flag
The colors of the flag date back to the historical Hungarian coat of arms which was based upon the arms of the Arpads from the late 12th century. The tricolor design was based upon the French tricolor following the national freedom movement that resulted in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848.
Following the revolution, the tricolor flag was banned by the Austrian Emperor. However, the Compromise of 1867 made it again legal and also named it as the official Hungarian flag. Throughout the 20th century, there were some minor changes made to the flag. This includes the solid red banner used during the time of the Hungarian Soviet Republic.
Throughout history, the coat of arms and the minor arms have also been used on the flag. However, the plain tricolor has been in use since 1957. This was reaffirmed on June 19, 1990.
Flag Facts
The tricolor design of the Hungarian flag is based on the ideas behind the French Revolution.
For state use, the coats of arms is legally permitted to be on the flag.
