Red, White and Light Blue Flags

Which countries have red, white and light blue flags?

Luxembourg is the single exact match. Its flag has three horizontal stripes of red, white and light blue (often called sky blue or azure). The colors come from the red lion on a blue and white striped shield in the grand-ducal coat of arms.

People often confuse it with the Netherlands, which has the same layout and a very similar red and white but a deep cobalt blue. Two things separate them. Luxembourg's blue is clearly lighter, and the flag is longer, with a 3:5 ratio against the Dutch 2:3. If the bottom stripe looks pale, you are looking at Luxembourg.

Several other flags contain red, white and light blue but add more colors or a coat of arms. Fiji has a light blue field with the Union Jack and a shield. Tuvalu also has a light blue field with the Union Jack and nine yellow stars. Montserrat carries a harp emblem on a blue ensign, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon shows a ship and heraldic symbols. Mozambique and South Sudan are striped flags that use these colors along with green, black or yellow.

Why are red, white and light blue so rare on flags?

Dark navy or royal blue is far more common on national flags, partly because it was easier to produce with stable dyes and partly because it contrasts well with white. Light blue appears mainly in flags tied to the sea, the sky, or older heraldic traditions, which is why it shows up in places like Fiji, Tuvalu and Argentina but is hard to pair with red.

Luxembourg's version is a direct case of heraldry. The red, white and blue stripes were taken from the family arms of the rulers, and the flag has been in use since the 19th century. The light blue shade was officially defined to keep the flag distinct from the Dutch tricolor that it so closely resembles.