Flag of Serbia

The flag of Serbia is a tricolor consisting of three equal horizontal bands, red on the top, blue in the middle
Serbia
and white on the bottom. The same tricolor, in altering variations, has been used since the 19th century as the
flag of the state of Serbia and the Serbian nation. The current form of the flag was officially adopted on 11
November 2010.[1]

Contents
1 Design
2 Middle Ages
2.1 Flag of Stefan Vladislav Use National flag and state
2.2 Flag of Stefan Uro ensign
2.3 Flag of Stefan Deanski Proportion 2:3
2.4 Flags of Emperor Duan
Adopted 2004 (original version)
3 Revolutionary flags
2010 (current version used)
4 Modern flags
Design A horizontal tricolor of red,
5 Related flags
blue, and white; charged
6 Proper flag protocol
with the lesser Coat of arms
6.1 State flag
left of center
6.2 Civil flag
6.3 Other flags
6.4 Respect for the flag
6.5 Correct display
7 See also
8 References
9 Sources Variant flag
10 External links Use Civil flag and ensign
Proportion 2:3
Adopted 2004
Design Horizontal tricolor of red,
blue, and white

Design
The state flag bears the lesser coat of arms, centered vertically and shifted to the hoist side by one-seventh of the flag's
length.[2] The flag ratio is 2 to 3 (height/width), with three equal horizontal bands of red, blue and white, each taking
one third of the height. Recommended colors are:[3]

Scheme Red Red Blue Yellow Black

Pantone 192C 704C 280C 123C X

CMYK 0-90-70-10 0-90-70-30 100-72-0-19 4-24-95-0 X-X-X-100
RGB 198-54-60 161-45-46 12-64-118 237-185-46 33-35-30
State flag construction sheet
^ Only used on the greater arms' ermine mantling, as seen on the presidential standards.

Middle Ages

Flag of Stefan Vladislav

The son of King Stefan Vladislav (reigned 12331243),upan Desa, sent delegates from Kotor to Ragusa (Dubrovnik) to bring back part of the king's treasury held
at Ragusa, which they did on 3 July 1281; the inventory list included, among other things, "a flag of red and blue color".[4] It is described as vexillum unum de
zendato rubeo et blavo"a flag of fabric red and blue";zendato (Serbian: enda) being a type of light, silky fabric.[5] This is the oldest known attestation of colours
[4]
of a Serbian flag; the oldest known Serbian flag was red and blue.
 Flag of Vladislav I
(reigned 12331243), as
described in 1281

Flag of Stefan Uro

Hungarian King Bela IV mentioned in his charter dated 8 April 1268, that his army had defeated King Stefan Uro I (reigned 12431276), and that when he hosted
and erected it there".[4]
some foreign rulers, his magnates brought captured Serbs and "in the sign of triumph, the flag of King Uro before the court of Bela, IV

Flag of Stefan Deanski

In 1326, Deanski sent a delegate to the Mamluk Sultanate in Alexandria and sought a flag in yellow colour, to be used as a war flag.[6] The Byzantines mention
[4]
that there were several war flags hoisted by the Serbs at theBattle of Velbazhd (1330), and the yellow one was likely one of those.

Flags of Emperor Duan

The oldest known drawing of a Serbian flag is from the 1339 map made by Angelino Dulcert; Serbia, at the time ruled by King Stefan Duan, is represented by a
flag of a red double-headed eagle placed above the capital Skopje (Scopi).[7][8] Stefan Duan was crowned Emperor in 1346; Duan also adopted the Byzantine
tetragramme with four fire-steels, which afterwards became an element of the Serbian flag until today (the Serbian cross).[9] A flag in Hilandar, seen by Dimitrije
[10] Emperor
Avramovi, was alleged by the brotherhood to have been a flag of Emperor Duan; it was a triband of red at the top and bottom and white in the centre.
Duan also adopted the Imperialdivelion, which was purple and had a golden cross in the centre.[11] Another of Duan's flags was the Imperial cavalry flag, kept at
the Hilandar monastery on Mount Athos; a triangular bicolor flag, of red and yellow.[12]

Flag of the Serbian Empire Reconstructed Flag of Serbia on the map

flag of Emperor Duan of Angelino Dulcert (1339).

Revolutionary flags
During the First Serbian Uprising, various flags were used. Among the early flags, the one described by Mateja Nenadovi could be connected with today's flag and
the first Serbian flag: it was red-blue-red with aSerbian cross.[13] Regular armies of the uprising usually had light yellow flags with various symbols, while voivode
flags were often red-white, and with a superimposed black two-headed eagle. There were also flags of other colors, including red-yellow, red-white-blue and red-
blue. This variety of colors was followed by variety of symbols on the flags, most often taken from Hristofor Zhefarovich's book Stemmatographia of 1741. The
most common symbol on the flags were the Serbian cross, followed by coat of arms of Tribalia and various other crosses.[14] Most of the flags were made in
[14]
Sremski Karlovci, designed by Serbian painters Stefan Gavrilovi, Ilija Gavrilovi and Nikola Apostolovi.
 Flag of the First Serbian Serbian tricolor from the Another flag from
Uprising from 1804 First Serbian Uprising the First Serbian Uprising.

Modern flags
The 1835 Sretenje Constitution described the colors of the Serbian flag as bright red, white and elikasto-ugasita (that
could be translated as steelish-dark).[15] The constitution was criticized, especially by Russia, and the flag was
specifically singled out as being similar to the revolutionary flag of France.[16] Soon afterwards, Milo Obrenovi was
requesting to the Porte that the new constitution should contain an article about the flag and coat of arms,[5] and
subsequent ferman (1835) allowed Serbs to use their own maritime flag, which will have "upper part of red, middle of
blue, and lower of white",[17] which is the first appearance of the colors that are used today
.

The colors are the reverse of those on the flag of Russia, and various popular stories exist in Serbia which seek to
Flag of the Kingdom of Serbia
explain why. An example:[18] (18821918)

In Karaore's time, a delegation from Serbia went to Russia to seek

help, and after arrival was at a celebration. When they were asked why
don't they participate in the parade, they hastily entered and turned the
Russian flag upside down. The citizens have thus noticed that Serbs
have their flag too.
Serbia used the red, blue and white tricolor continuously from 1835 until 1918 when Serbia joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later known as
Yugoslavia.

After World War II, Yugoslavia was reformed into a socialist federal republic, composed of six republics, one of which was Serbia. Each republic was entitled to its
own flag on the condition that it contained the socialist red star.[19] Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia initially continued using the same flag; the 1990
Constitution of Serbia stated that flag and coat of arms of Serbia can only be changed by the same procedure used to change the constitution itself,[20] which
required absolute majority of voters to support it.[21] The 1992 Serbian constitutional referendum asked the voters to choose between the flag with and without the
star, with red star gaining the majority of votes, however not the absolute majority of voters. The red star was nonetheless removed from the flag in 1992 by a
recommendation by the Serbian parliament;[19][22] however, the coat of arms remained unchanged. In 2003, however, the government of Serbia issued a
recommendation on flag and coat of arms use, that preferred using different symbols from the ones in the constitution. The 2006 Constitution of Serbia stated that
state emblems would be regulated by law;[23] the recommendation remained in use until 11 May 2009, when the actual flag law was enacted.[24] On 11 November
[1]
2010, a visual redesign of the coat of arms was enacted, which is currently used on the state flag.

18351882 18821918 19411944 19461992 19922004 20042010 2010present

Related flags
Montenegro used to have a flag similar to the Serbian tricolor with varying shades of blue. It originated from Montenegrin national costume. During the second
Yugoslavia, the republics of Serbia and Montenegro had flags of the same design and colors. Montenegro changed its flag in 1993 by altering the proportion and
shade of blue in its flag and used this flag until 2004.

The Serbian tricolor was also the basis for the breakaway territories of Republic of Serbian Krajina and Republika Srpska during the Yugoslav Wars. The flag of
Republika Srpska is still the Serbian tricolor as well asFlag of Serbs of Croatia.

The Serbian tricolor defaced with a Serbian cross is used as the flag of the Serbian Orthodox Church.[25] A number of other unofficial variant flags, some with
variations of the cross, coat of arms, or both, exist.

Proper flag protocol

State flag
The state flag (de facto national flag) is constantly flown on the entrances of state organ buildings. The National Assembly flies it only when in session and during
state holidays. Organs of provinces, Vojvodina and Kosovo and Metohija, fly it only on national holidays.[26]

It can also be flown during celebrations and other solemn manifestations which mark events of importance for Serbia, and on other occasions.[27] During state
mourning, it is flown athalf mast, including by the organs of provinces, local organs, and public services.[28] The flag must be displayed in an election room during
an election for state bodies[29] and in the room of civil registry dedicated for marriage (the officiant has to carry a sash with flag colours as well).[30]

Civil flag
The civil flag of Serbia is constantly flown on the entrance of the National Assembly and organs of provinces and public services. It must be displayed in an
gans.[31]
election room during an election for provincial or local or

Also, it can be hoisted during celebrations and othercultural or sport manifestations, and on other occasions.[32]

Other flags
The President of Serbia and the President (Speaker) of the National Assembly of Serbia use their official respective standards.[33] The Serbian River Flotilla also
uses its own naval ensign.

Standard of the Standard of the Flag of the First Land Flag of the Air Force Flag of the Military
President of Serbia President of the National Brigade of the Serbian and Air Defense of the Police of the Serbian
Assembly of Serbia Armed Forces, measure: Serbian Armed Forces Armed Forces
1:1

Flag of the Guard of Flag of the River

the Serbian Armed Flotilla of the Serbian
Forces Armed Forces, measure:
2:3.

Respect for the flag

Neither the state flag nor the civil flag can be hoisted so that they touch the ground, nor be used as rests, tablecloths,
carpets or curtains, nor to cover vehicles or other objects, nor to attire speaker platforms or tables, except as table
flags.[34] They must not be used if damaged or otherwise look unsuitable for use.
[35]

[36]
The flag is not flown in bad weather conditions. Also, it is flown only in daylight, unless it is illuminated.

If the flag is flown vertically on tables or otherwise, its top field is on the left side of the viewer. If it is flown vertically
Horizontal and vertical display of
across a street or square, its top field should be on the northern side if the street has east-west orientation, and eastern
[37]
the flag.
side if it has north-south orientation or on a circular square.

Correct display
The law defines how the flag of Serbia is displayed along with other flags, making no difference between state flags and other kinds of flags. If the flag is hoisted
with another flag, it is always on the viewer's left, except during an official visit of a representative of another country or an international organization, when the
fs, its staff must be the front one.[38]
flag of the visitor is on the viewer's left. If the flag is hoisted with another on crossed staf

[38]
If the flag of Serbia is hoisted along with two flags, it must be in the middle.

If the flag is flown with multiple flags,

If the flags are flown in a circle, it must be in the centre of the circle, clearly visible;
If the flags are flown in a semicircle, it must be in itsvertex;
If the flags are flown in a column, it must be in the front of the column;
If the flags are flown in a row, it must be in the first place, that is, on the viewer's left;
[38]
If the flags are flown in a group, it must be in the front of the group.

See also
List of Serbian flags
Flag of Yugoslavia
Flag of Serbia and Montenegro

References
1. Grb Srbije: Dvoglavi orao menja perje(http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/naslovna/aktuelno.69.html:308459-Grb-Srbije-Dvoglavi-orao-menja-perje)(in
Serbian)
2. , (http://www.parlament.gov.rs/content/cir/akta/akta_detalji.asp?Id=112&t=O)(in
Serbian)
3. "Standards of Flag and Coat of Arms, Parliament of Serbia"(http://www.srbija.gov.rs/extfile/sr/142564/uredba_izvornik_grba_zastave_himne035
5_cyr.zip). (871 KiB) (in Serbian)
4. Stanojevi 1934, p. 79.
5. Samardi 1983.
6. Kosti 1960, p. 16, Stanojevi 1934, p. 79
7. Solovjev 1958, pp. 134135.
8. krivani 1979.
9. Stanojevi 1934, pp. 7980.
10. Stanojevi 1934, p. 80.
11. Milievi 1995, p. 22.
12. Atlagi 1997.
13. B. A: Principality of Serbia (18301882) FOTW(http://flagspot.net/flags/rs_pr.html)
14. Samardi 1993.
15. " . " [Chapter two. Color and Coat of Arms of Serbia](http://scc.digital.nb.rs/view/RA-ustav-1835&p=003) .
(http://scc.digital.nb.rs/document/RA-ustav-1835)[Constitution of the Princedom of Serbia] (in Serbian). Kragujevac:
Princedom of Serbia. 1835. COBISS.SR-ID 150291719 . Retrieved 2011-06-18. "3.) -,
-."
16. Mih. Gavrilovic, Suspendovanje prvog srpskog ustava februar-mart 1835 god., Arhiv za pravne i drustvene nauke, I, 1906, 410412
17. D. Matic, Javno pravo Knjazevstva Srbije, Beograd, 1851, 33
18. LJ. M. V. J. . S. (2006-08-01)."Hej, Boe pravde!" (http://www.novosti.rs/code/navigate.php?Id=1&status=jedna&vest=92154&datum=2006-0
7-25). Vecernje novosti. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
19. Branislav . Veovi: Yugoslavia during the Second World War (http://fotw.vexillum.com/flags/yu_wwii.html)
20. 1990 Constitution of Serbia, Article 5
21. 1990 Constitution of Serbia, Article 133
22. Recommendation on the use of the Flag of Serbia ("Of
ficial Gazette of Serbia", No. 49/1992.)
23. 2006 Constitution of Serbia, Article 7
24. Republic of Serbia 2009
25. Srpska pravoslavna crkva (1939). (https://books.google.com/books?id=ftUmAQAAIAAJ) .
. . p. 21. " - : --,
."
26. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 20
27. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 24
28. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 23
29. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 22
30. Family Law, article 299
31. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 28
32. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 29
33. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 25
34. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 33
35. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 6
36. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 32
37. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 31
38. Republic of Serbia 2009, article 30

Sources
Official documents

Republic of Serbia (2009)." , " [Law on look and use of the coat of arms,
flag and anthem of the Republic of Serbia]. Republic of Serbia.

Secondary sources

Atlagi, Marko (1997)."The cross with symbols S as heraldic symbols"(PDF). Batina. 8: 149158. Archived fromthe original (PDF) on May 21,
2013.
Filipovi, Duan M. (1977).Dokumenti Srpske Zastave. 2.
Filipovi, Duan M. (1980).Dokumenti Srpske Zastave. 3.
Kosti, Lazo M. (1960).O zastavama kod Srba: istoriska razmatranja. Izd. piscevo.
Milievi, Mili (1995).Grb Srbije: razvoj kroz istoriju. Slubeni glasnik.
Palavestra, Aleksandar (2010).Ilirski grbovnici i drugi heraldiki radovi. Belgrade: Dosije studio.
Samardi, Dragana (1983).Vojne zastave Srba do 1918. Vojni muzej.
Samardi, Dragana (1993). . Vojni muzej.
krivani, Gavro A., ed. (1979).Monumenta Cartographica Jugoslaviae II: . Belgrade: Narodna knjiga.

Tomovi, Gordana (1979), ..., pp. 3560

Solovjev, Aleksandar Vasiljevi (1958). Istorija srpskog grba. Srpska misao.
Stanojevi, Stanoje (1934).Iz nae prolosti. Belgrade: Geca Kon A. D.
Krklju, L. 2009, "Features and symbols during the Serbian Nationalist Movement from 1848 to 1849", Istraivanja, no. 20,
pp. 145159

External links
Serbia at Flags of the World
Historical flags and arms of Serbia(in Italian)
Flags and arms of Serbia in period times(in German)
Flags and arms of Serbia

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