The flag of Alsace (
Alsatian: ' or ', "red and white") is the original red and white
flag
A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design empl ...
of the region, and can be traced to the red and white
banner of
Gerard, Duke of Lorraine
Gerard ( – 14 April 1070), also known as Gerard the Wonderful, was a Lotharingian nobleman. He was the count of Metz and Châtenois from 1047 to 1048, when his brother Duke Adalbert resigned them to him upon his becoming the Duke of Upper Lorr ...
in the 11th century.
Particularly since the introduction of new
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
region
Grand Est, the traditional ' flag of
Alsace has been widely promoted by the advocates of the
Alsace autonomous movement.
History
' (from the 11th century)
The original flag of Alsace, the ', dates back to the red and white
banner of
Gerard, Duke of Lorraine
Gerard ( – 14 April 1070), also known as Gerard the Wonderful, was a Lotharingian nobleman. He was the count of Metz and Châtenois from 1047 to 1048, when his brother Duke Adalbert resigned them to him upon his becoming the Duke of Upper Lorr ...
in the 11th century.
Red and white colours are commonly found on the coat of arms of Alsatian cities such as
Strasbourg
Strasbourg (, , ; german: Straßburg ; gsw, label=Bas Rhin Alsatian, Strossburi , gsw, label=Haut Rhin Alsatian, Strossburig ) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the Eu ...
,
Mulhouse and
Sélestat, and additionally of many
Swiss
Swiss may refer to:
* the adjectival form of Switzerland
* Swiss people
Places
* Swiss, Missouri
* Swiss, North Carolina
*Swiss, West Virginia
* Swiss, Wisconsin
Other uses
*Swiss-system tournament, in various games and sports
*Swiss Internation ...
cities, especially in the region of
Basel-Landschaft.
Departmental and regional flags
Perhaps as the ' marks the
Germanic roots of Alsace, it was replaced in 1949 by a new flag, representing the union of the two ' of and , however without real historical relevance. It was subsequently modified to a slightly different appearance, yet also representing the two departments. The flag is currently used by the
European Collectivity of Alsace created in January 2021.
File:Banner of the Prince-Bishopric of Strassbourg I (1^1).svg, Prince-Bishopric of Strasbourg (982–1803)
File:Dienstflagge Elsaß-Lothringen Kaiserreich.svg, Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine (1871–1918)
File:Flag of the Republic of Alsace-Lorraine.svg, Alsace-Lorraine Soviet Republic
November 1918 was the period of transition when the region of Alsace- Lorraine passed from German to French sovereignty at the end of World War I. During this month, international events were linked to domestic troubles, particularly the German ...
(1918)
File:Flag of Alsace (old).svg, The official flag of Alsace 1949–2008, representing the two of and
File:Flag of Alsace.svg, The official flag of Alsace 2008–present
File:Flag of the former Region of Alsace.svg, Flag of the former Region of Alsace 2011-2016
File:Logo of Alsace.png, Official logo of the European Collectivity of Alsace 2021–present
Recognition
There is controversy around the recognition of the Alsatian flag.
With the purpose of "Francosizing" the region, the ' has not been recognised by the French government. Some French politicians have erroneously called this a "
Nazi invention" — while the ' is still known as the real historical
emblem of the region by most of the population and the departments' parliaments.
Subsequently, the ' has been widely used during protests against the creation of a new "super-region"
Grand Est, gathering
Champagne-Ardennes,
Lorraine and Alsace, namely on
Colmar's statue of liberty.
See also
*
Coat of arms of Alsace
References
11th-century introductions
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design empl ...
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design empl ...
Red and white flags
Flags of France
Flags of Germany
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