Flag of Berlin
Encyclopedia
The flag of Berlin
has three stripes of red-white-red, the two outer stripes each occupying a fifth of its height, the middle the remaining three fifths. It is defaced with a bear in the case of the civil flag, and the coat of arms of Berlin
on the state flag.
The civil flag of West Berlin
was adopted on 26 May 1954. Designed by Ottfried Neubecker
, it came in second in the contest of 1952, the winner being rejected by the Senate
. The emblem of the bear is apparently a pun on the city's name (Bär meaning Bear), and there have been suggestions that it is a little bear (Bärlein bearing a resemblance to Berlin). The bear is placed slightly to the left. It became the flag of the whole city after the reunification of Germany in 1990.
The state flag replaces the bear with the full coat of arms
, with escutcheon. Being the state flag for West Berlin, it similarly became the flag for unified Berlin in 1990. Previously to that, it had also been a naval ensign on the basis that neither German one could be used. It is in the proportion 3:5.
, was used as both a civil and state flag, under successive Brandenburg then Prussian rule.
Between 1861 and 1912, a horizontal tricolour
of black, red and white was used in the proportion 2:3. It was designed by Ernst Fidicin based in the Brandenburg
colors following the coronation of Wilhelm I on 19 December 1861.
Between 1913 and 1954, the civil flag was similar to the current one, except the design of the bear was different. Until 1935, the emblem itself was not fixed.
After 1955, the West Berlin flag was that adopted for the whole of Berlin after 1990; East Berlin
had the addition of two white stripes taking the outside halves of the upper and lower red stripes, and a slightly different design for the bear inside an escutcheon, topped with a crown.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
has three stripes of red-white-red, the two outer stripes each occupying a fifth of its height, the middle the remaining three fifths. It is defaced with a bear in the case of the civil flag, and the coat of arms of Berlin
Coat of arms of Berlin
The coat of arms of Berlin is used by the German city state as well as the city itself, while Berlin's various boroughs use their own emblems. The bear was not the original symbol of the city, but instead had to 'struggle' to establish its place as such...
on the state flag.
The civil flag of West Berlin
West Berlin
West Berlin was a political exclave that existed between 1949 and 1990. It comprised the western regions of Berlin, which were bordered by East Berlin and parts of East Germany. West Berlin consisted of the American, British, and French occupation sectors, which had been established in 1945...
was adopted on 26 May 1954. Designed by Ottfried Neubecker
Ottfried Neubecker
Ottfried Neubecker was a German vexillologist and heraldist.-Early life and education:He was born 22 March 1908 in Berlin-Charlottenburg in Germany, into the family of a university teacher...
, it came in second in the contest of 1952, the winner being rejected by the Senate
Senate of Berlin
The Senate of Berlin is the executive body governing the city of Berlin, which at the same time is a state of Germany. According to the Constitution of Berlin the Senate consists of the Governing Mayor of Berlin and up to eight Senators appointed by the Governing Mayor, two of whom are appointed ...
. The emblem of the bear is apparently a pun on the city's name (Bär meaning Bear), and there have been suggestions that it is a little bear (Bärlein bearing a resemblance to Berlin). The bear is placed slightly to the left. It became the flag of the whole city after the reunification of Germany in 1990.
The state flag replaces the bear with the full coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
, with escutcheon. Being the state flag for West Berlin, it similarly became the flag for unified Berlin in 1990. Previously to that, it had also been a naval ensign on the basis that neither German one could be used. It is in the proportion 3:5.
Historical flags
Between 1618 and 1861 a bicolour of black over white, opposite to that of SienaSiena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
, was used as both a civil and state flag, under successive Brandenburg then Prussian rule.
Between 1861 and 1912, a horizontal tricolour
Tricolour
A tricolour is a flag or banner more-or-less equally divided into three bands of differing colours...
of black, red and white was used in the proportion 2:3. It was designed by Ernst Fidicin based in the Brandenburg
Brandenburg
Brandenburg is one of the sixteen federal-states of Germany. It lies in the east of the country and is one of the new federal states that were re-created in 1990 upon the reunification of the former West Germany and East Germany. The capital is Potsdam...
colors following the coronation of Wilhelm I on 19 December 1861.
Between 1913 and 1954, the civil flag was similar to the current one, except the design of the bear was different. Until 1935, the emblem itself was not fixed.
After 1955, the West Berlin flag was that adopted for the whole of Berlin after 1990; East Berlin
East Berlin
East Berlin was the name given to the eastern part of Berlin between 1949 and 1990. It consisted of the Soviet sector of Berlin that was established in 1945. The American, British and French sectors became West Berlin, a part strongly associated with West Germany but a free city...
had the addition of two white stripes taking the outside halves of the upper and lower red stripes, and a slightly different design for the bear inside an escutcheon, topped with a crown.