Flag of Latvia

Flag origins

Latvia's flag is carmine, white and carmine, with the bands in a 2:1:2 relationship. The Livonian Rhymed Chronicle describes soldiers from Cesis carrying a red flag with a white band in 1279. Artist Ansis Cirulis standardized the modern design in 1917; independence followed in 1918, and legislation established the flag in 1921.

Flag story

A legend tells of a wounded leader laid on a white cloth: blood stained the sides while the middle remained white, and soldiers then carried it to victory. That story should be distinguished from the documented medieval reference. Banned following the 1940 occupation, the flag was officially restored in February 1990, before the restoration of independence.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• Latvia — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

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