Red and White Flags

Which countries have red and white flags?

In Europe, Denmark has a white Nordic cross on red, and Switzerland a white cross on a square red field. Austria and Latvia use red-white-red stripes, with Latvia's white band much narrower. Poland is white over red, Malta is white and red with a George Cross in the corner, and Georgia has a large red cross with four smaller ones. Turkey has a white crescent and star on red. Monaco has red over white, and England, Jersey, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland and Greenland also appear on the list.

In Asia, Japan is a red disc on white, Singapore has a white crescent and five stars on red above white, and Indonesia is plain red over white. Qatar and Bahrain are white and maroon-red with serrated edges. Hong Kong shows a white flower on red. North America has Canada, with a red maple leaf between two red bars. South America has Peru with red-white-red vertical bands. In Africa, Tunisia shows a white disc with a red crescent and star on red. In Oceania, Tonga and French Polynesia are listed.

Two pairs cause constant confusion. Indonesia and Monaco are both red over white, but Indonesia's flag is longer. Poland is the same two colors in the reverse order.

Why are red and white so common on flags?

Red and white are the simplest high-contrast pair. In heraldry they are among the oldest colors, and a red cross on a white field was used by crusaders and later became the cross of St George. That cross is behind the flags of England, Georgia, Jersey and others. Denmark's Dannebrog is the oldest national flag still in use, with a legend dating it to 1219.

In East and Southeast Asia, red and white are tied to sun and purity. Japan's disc represents the sun, and Indonesia's colors are linked to the old Majapahit empire. Singapore uses red for universal brotherhood and white for purity. Red and white are also easy to print and dye, and they stay readable at small sizes, which helps flags used at sea.