Introduction
The flag of Saarland is a distinctive tricolor featuring three horizontal stripes of black, red, and gold, with the state's coat of arms centered on the red band.
This design directly links the state to the national colors of Germany, while the unique coat of arms provides its specific identity.
The arms consist of a quartered shield, with each quadrant representing a different historical territory that shaped the region.
The flag's proportions and the precise placement of the coat of arms are legally defined, ensuring a consistent and official presentation.
Meaning & Symbolism
The black-red-gold tricolor symbolizes Saarland's status as a federal state of Germany, reflecting the national flag and the democratic traditions of the country.
The quartered coat of arms represents the region's complex history: the silver lion on blue represents the County of Saarbrücken, the red cross on silver symbolizes the Electorate of Trier, the golden lion on black stands for the Duchy of Lorraine, and the red and silver pallets (stripes) represent the County of Zweibrücken.
The crown atop the shield signifies the state's sovereignty as a Bundesland within the Federal Republic.
History of the Saarland Flag
The current flag was officially adopted on July 9, 1956, following the Saar Statute referendum in 1955, where voters chose to rejoin West Germany.
Prior to this, the Saarland used different flags, including a blue-white-black horizontal tricolor under French administration from 1947 to 1956, and earlier flags reflecting its status within the German Empire and the League of Nations mandate.
Curiosities
- The Saarland flag is one of the few German state flags that places the coat of arms directly on the national tricolor, creating a clear visual link to the federal republic.
- From 1947 to 1956, the Saar Protectorate used a completely different flag (blue-white-black) and even competed under it at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
- The specific shade of gold (yellow) used in the flag is officially defined in the state constitution and corresponding regulations.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Saarland in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag follows a 3:5 proportion. The black, red, and gold stripes are of equal height. The coat of arms is centered on the red stripe, with its height measuring two-fifths (2/5) of the flag's total height.
Flags Similar to Saarland Flag
Common Misidentifications
Often confused with the national flag of Germany from a distance, before the central coat of arms becomes visible.