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Flag of Germany facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The flag of Germany (German: Bundesflagge) is a very important symbol for the country. It was first used in its current design in 1919. Then, it was officially adopted again with Germany's new constitution in 1949.

This flag has three equal horizontal stripes. The top stripe is black, the middle one is red, and the bottom one is gold. These colors have a lot of history and meaning for the German people.

The Service Flag

Germany also has a special flag called the Dienstflagge, or service flag. This flag is used by the government. It looks like the national flag but has the German coat of arms in the middle.

Ships in the German Navy use a version of this service flag. Their flag has a small triangle cut out of the end. This special flag is called an ensign. Some German states also use the national flag with their own state coat of arms on it.

A Look Back in Time

Between 1933 and 1945, when the Nazi government was in power, Germany used a very different flag. This flag had a swastika on it. Today, it is against the law to display this flag in Germany.


Images for kids

  • Flag of Germany

    The national flag of Germany.

  • Naval ensign of Germany

    The Dienstflagge der Seestreitkräfte der Bundeswehr, which is the ensign used by the German Navy.

  • Berlin reichstag CP

    The German Unity Flag flies in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin. This flag is a national memorial to German reunification, raised on October 3, 1990.

  • MuensterStadtweinhaus

    The Stadtweinhaus in Münster with flags showing mourning after the death of former German president Johannes Rau in 2006.

  • Hambacher Fest 1832

    The Hambach Festival in May 1832, shown in a picture from that time.

  • Hambach Fest 4 Fahne.JPG

    The original flag from the 1832 Hambach Festival.

  • Image Germania (painting)

    Germania. This painting was in the Paulskirche where the Frankfurt Parliament met.

  • Maerz1848 berlin

    Revolutionaries in Berlin during March 1848.

  • Bundesarchiv Bild 183-34861-0007, Caroli, Langhammer, Nitzschke, Motzkus

    The flag of East Germany (GDR) at a boxing event in 1955.

  • World Cup 2006 German fans at Bochum

    German football fans during a match in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Many flags were seen, some with the federal coat of arms.

  • 2010 Thorpe Cup 20

    The flag of unified Germany from 1990 until today.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bandera de Alemania para niños

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Flag of Germany Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.