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History of the German flag

The three colors of the flag of the Federal Republic of Germany, black, red and gold, have long symbolized the Pan-German ambitions for unity, independence and sovereignty. Among them, black represents seriousness and solemnity; red symbolizes the burning flame, which inspires people’s enthusiasm for freedom; gold symbolizes the brilliance of truth, which will never be buried in the sand of history.

Establish a course

The black, red and gold colors of the German flag first appeared among the people in 1818, created by public opinion in the struggle for democratic freedom and national unity. It symbolizes freedom and democracy.

In 1948, in the process of drafting the “Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany” in the Federal Republic of Germany, all walks of life agreed that the black, red and gold tricolor flag, which symbolized freedom and unity, should be restored.

On May 23, 1949, after the merger of the United States, Britain and France, the Federal Republic of Germany (abbreviated as the Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany) was established in the occupied area of ​​western Germany. On the same day, the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany came into effect. The red and gold tricolor flag officially became the national flag of the Federal Republic of Germany; the German Democratic Republic (referred to as the GDR or East Germany), which was established on October 7 of the same year, positioned the black, red, and gold tricolor flag and the national emblem of the GDR in East Germany. flag.

On October 3, 1990, the GDR officially joined the Federal Republic of Germany, the two Germanys were unified, and the black, red and gold tricolor flag continued to be the national flag of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In 1996, Germany released specifications for hanging government flags.

Flag Specifications

The flag of the Federal Republic of Germany consists of three horizontal rectangles of equal width, black on the top, red in the middle, and gold on the bottom, with a height-to-length ratio of 3 to 5. Flags can also be used as flags. The flag of the Federal Republic of Germany consists of three vertical rectangles of equal width, black on the left, red in the middle, and gold on the right.

Principles of use laws and regulations

The 1919 “German Weimar Constitution”, Part 1, Chapter 1, Article 3 stipulates that the colors of the German Federal flag are black, red and gold, and the commercial flag is black, white and red, and the inner corner of the flag is inlaid with the national flag.

In 1975, Germany stipulated in Article 22 [capital, national flag] of the Criminal Code of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chapter II [Federal and State], that “Berlin is the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany. In the capital, the Federation shall represent the entire country as a whole. . The specific details are prescribed by federal law. The federal flag consists of black, red, and gold.” In addition, Germany has no national flag law, national anthem law, national emblem law, etc. for national symbols.

Even so, in order to maintain the sanctity and dignity of national symbols, the German Criminal Code stipulates the crime of “defaming the state and its symbols” in Article 90a. Whoever publicly denigrates the symbols, flags, national emblems or national anthems of the Federal Republic of Germany or its states in an assembly or by distributing documents shall be sentenced to imprisonment of not more than three years or a fine.

If the flag of the Federal Republic of Germany or its cantons is displayed in public, or the emblems of the national dignity of the Federal Republic of Germany or its cantons that are publicly installed by the government are demolished, destroyed, destroyed, rendered inoperable or unrecognizable or insulted, the penalty shall be punished. Free punishment or a fine for not more than three years; those who fail to commit this crime shall also be punished.

According to the Federal Law of the Federal Republic of Germany of March 22, 2005, the Federal Republic of Germany government buildings must fly the national flag on several days, which also stipulates the days when the flag is lowered at half mast. Every year on January 27th, the Holocaust Remembrance Day (Tagdes Gedenkensandie Opferdes Nationalsozialismus), the national flag is flown at half mast. The national day of mourning (Volkstrauertag) is two Sundays before the first Sunday of Advent, the annual Christian religious holiday, when flags are flown at half-mast to commemorate all those who died in the war.

Special provisions

The tricolor flag of the Federal Republic of Germany may be flown at airports, hotels, banquet halls and other occasions. When major events occur, it is often required to fly the flag at half-staff, which is usually announced publicly by the Ministry of the Interior of the Federal Republic of Germany. On duty-driven vehicles, the flag should be affixed to the right wing.