Flags
The Prussian national and merchant flag was originally a simple black-white-black flag issued on May 22, 1818, but this was replaced on March 12, 1823 with a new flag. The revised one (3:5) was parted black, white, and black (1:4:1), showing in the white stripe the eagle with a blue orb bound in gold and a scepter ending in another eagle. On its breast were the intertwined initials 'FR' for 'Fridericus Rex'. The axis of the eagle is at 2/5 of the flag's total length.
The Prussian war flag (3:5), adopted November 28, 1816, was originally swallowtailed for one fifth of the total length; the tail was later abandoned. At two fifths it showed the Prussian eagle (two thirds of the flag's height). In the canton the Iron Cross was placed (one third of the flag's height).
The Iron Cross was established in 1813 during the war against Napoleon I as a decoration for courageous common soldiers. It was renewed in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and in World War I. It also appeared in the canton of the war flag of the German Empire.
The royal standard of Prussia showed the Iron Cross charged with the shield and crown of the small state arms surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Black Eagle. On the blades of the cross is the motto Gott mit uns. Between the arms were Prussian eagles along the edges and a royal crown in carré with them, all on a purple or red background.
After the German Revolution of 1918–1919, the Prussian state was slow to adapt its heraldry to republican forms. Only July 11, 1921 new arms were decreed by the Prussian prime minister. The 'gothic' eagle made way for the more natural-looking flying one and lost all its garments.
On December 12, 1921, the Ministry of State decreed that the Prussian flag was to be only black and white.
On February 24 and April 23, 1922, the ministry issued a service flag similar to the national flag of the 19th century - black borders above and below, being 1/6 of the total height of the flag, with the new eagle.
The Germany national football team home dress has always been a white jersey and black shorts, the colors of the Prussian flag.
Read more about this topic: Flag Of Prussia
Famous quotes containing the word flags:
“The flags are natures newly found.
Rifles grow sharper on the sight.
There is a rumble of autumnal marching,
From which no soft sleeve relieves us.
Fate is the present desperado.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“Gentlemen, those confederate flags and our national standard are what has made this union great. In what other country could a man who fought against you be permitted to serve as judge over you, be permitted to run for reelection and bespeak your suffrage on Tuesday next at the poles.”
—Laurence Stallings (1894–1968)
“Still, it is dear defiance now to carry
Fair flags of you above my indignation,”
—Gwendolyn Brooks (b. 1917)