Berlin Flag

The flag of Berlin, the capital city of Germany, is a distinctive tricolor banner featuring three horizontal stripes of red-white-red. The central white stripe is twice the height of each red stripe. In the center of the flag lies its most iconic element: a black bear standing upright and facing left (heraldic right), known as the Berliner Bär.

The bear is depicted in a rampant posture, with its claws and tongue colored red. This design is used as both the state flag, which includes the full coat of arms, and the simpler civil flag, which features only the bear's outline. The flag's proportions and the bear's specific design are precisely defined by law.

As a symbol of the city-state, the flag flies on official buildings and is deeply ingrained in the city's identity, representing Berlin's unique history and status within the Federal Republic of Germany. Its simple yet powerful color scheme and heraldic charge make it one of the most recognizable civic flags in Europe.

The central symbol of the flag is the Berlin Bear (Berliner Bär), which has been associated with the city since at least the 13th century. The bear represents strength, resilience, and the independent spirit of Berlin. Its red claws and tongue (armed and langued gules) are traditional heraldic details that add contrast and vitality to the figure.

The red-white-red color scheme is historically linked to the Margraviate of Brandenburg, the historical precursor to the state of Brandenburg which surrounds Berlin. The colors are a common feature in the region's heraldry. Together, the bear and the colors create a flag that symbolizes both the city's long history and its enduring character.

The bear first appeared on the seals of Berlin's ruling family in the 13th century, though its adoption as the city's sole heraldic animal was a gradual process. For centuries, the bear shared symbolic duty with the Brandenburg Eagle. The modern flag's design was officially established after World War I. The current version, with the bear in its specific design on the red-white-red tricolor, was formally adopted as the state flag on May 26, 1954 by the West Berlin Senate.

This design was confirmed for the reunified city-state after the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification in 1990. The precise design of the bear has been modified several times throughout the 20th century, with the current, more naturalistic version being standardized in the latter half of the century.