Brandenburg Flag

The flag of Brandenburg is a horizontal tricolor of red, white, and red with the state's coat of arms centered on the white stripe. This design is a classic example of a civil flag derived from traditional regional colors, known as the Landesfarben. The central placement of the coat of arms distinguishes the official state service flag from the simpler civil flag, which consists only of the three stripes.

The coat of arms is a complex heraldic device featuring a red eagle with golden accents on a white shield. The eagle's wings are adorned with golden clover stems, and it displays a golden escutcheon on its chest. This central emblem is the flag's most distinctive and intricate visual element, immediately identifying it with the state of Brandenburg.

The flag's proportions and the specific design of the eagle are precisely defined by law, ensuring uniformity in its official display. Its colors and symbols are deeply rooted in the region's history, dating back to the Margraviate of Brandenburg and its role in the formation of the German state of Prussia.

The red and white colors are the traditional Landesfarben of Brandenburg, historically associated with the Margraviate. These colors are derived from the red eagle on a silver (white) field of the ancient coat of arms, symbolizing the region's long-standing identity and sovereignty.

The central red eagle is the primary heraldic symbol of Brandenburg, used by its rulers since the 12th century. The golden clover stems (Kleestengel) on its wings are a distinctive embellishment that developed over time. The small golden escutcheon on the eagle's breast is a later addition, sometimes interpreted as representing the Archoffice of the Holy Roman Empire, a title held by the Margraves of Brandenburg.

The red eagle on a white field has been the symbol of the Margraves of Brandenburg since approximately the 12th century. The modern flag, combining these colors with the coat of arms, was formally established after World War II. Following German reunification, the state of Brandenburg was reconstituted and officially readopted its traditional symbols.

The current design was legally codified in the Constitution of the State of Brandenburg, which came into effect on August 21, 1991. A more detailed law governing the display and specifications of the state flag, the Hoheitszeichengesetz (State Symbols Act), was passed on January 30, 1991, solidifying its status as an official symbol of the re-established federal state.