OVERVIEW

 

The flag of Germany features three horizontal stripes of equal size in black, red, and gold. The flag is highly symbolic and represents the unity and strength of the German people. The origins of the German flag can be traced back to the 19th century. The black, red, and gold colors were also used during the Revolution of 1848/49 as a symbol of the struggle for freedom and unification in Germany.

In 1919, after World War I, the Weimar Republic adopted the black, red, and gold flag as the national flag of Germany. However, during the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945, the flag was replaced with the swastika flag. After World War II, the black, red, and gold flag was officially adopted by the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, and since then, it has become one of the most recognizable and respected flags in the world.

KEY POINTS:

  • The origin of the black, red and gold German flag goes back to the Lützow Free Corps
  • The German Empire used the black, white and red flag
  • The black, red, and gold flag as it is flown today held for the first time an official status during the years of the Weimar Republic
  • The Swastika represented the German Empire from 1933 to 1945
  • Today's flag is protected by law (flag law)

A SYMBOL OF DEMOCRACY AND STRENGTH

The black, red, and gold flag was first raised during the Hambach Festival in 1832 as a symbol of German patriotism and a call for democratic freedoms and national unity. This flag's colors date back to Major Ludwig Adolf Wilhelm von Lützow, whose Lützow Free Corps was a Prussian volunteer force during the Liberation Wars from 1813 to 1815. Initially, the colors had a practical purpose only, with black being the color of the volunteers' uniforms to equalize their appearance, and red chosen for the sleeves' badge. However, after the war, student unions across German-speaking countries began using black, red, and gold as a symbol of democracy and civil rights.

 

The German Tricolore held official national flag status for the first time due to the National Assembly's resolution on March 9, 1848. Despite the failure of the German Revolution of 1848 and the subsequent replacement of the flag with the Reich's Flag, the Weimar Republic reestablished the black, red, and gold banner as a symbol of democracy. This move was supported by loyalists, veterans, and members of moderate parties who formed the Reichsbanner association to promote democracy's values. In contrast, monarchists and right-wing parties supported the Reich's Flag, which was associated with opposition to Germany's first democracy.

 

Following the dark period of National Socialism, policymakers in 1948 proposed a new version of the German flag, incorporating the black, red, and gold banner to connect with the values and ideals of the Weimar Republic. Today, waving the black, red, and gold flag with pride is a testament to Germany's enduring commitment to democracy and civil rights, and a symbol of hope for a better future. 

 

THE MEANINGS OF THE COLORS

 

The colors of the German flag, black, red, and gold, did not have any specific symbolic meaning when they were first introduced. In fact, their origin can be traced back to the uniforms of the freedom fighters during the liberation wars against Napoleon. It was not until later that these colors took on a greater symbolic meaning.

 

Today, the colors black, red, and gold represent some of the most important values and ideals of the German nation.

 

BLACK: Black is associated with strength, authority, and seriousness. It also symbolizes the country's determination to overcome the darker chapters of its history and move towards a brighter future.

 

RED: Red represents the sacrifices and courage of the fighters who fought for Germany's freedom and independence.

 

GOLD: Gold is associated with prosperity, success, and hope, and it represents Germany achievements and contributions to the global community. 

 

Today, the national colors serve as a powerful symbol of the country's strength, resilience, and determination to create a better future for all Germans. Therefore the answer to the question if you should raise the flag should be an easy one - absolutely!

 

FLAG LAW

 

Like in the United States, there is a special code of treatment for the flag in Germany. However, the difference is that this code is anchored in law. Germans can rightfully be proud of the long-standing history of their black, red, and gold flag and what it stands for. The official German Tricolor is widely supported by moderate forces as a democratic symbol of identity and unification in daily life. For instance, disparaging a German flag can result in a financial penalty or jail time, even for private citizens. Furthermore, spreading misinformation or right-wing propaganda in combination with codes of Nationalism is fully indictable on German soil (Source: § 90a StGB).