It’s Hip To Be Square, Aka Why The Swiss Flag is Square

The Swiss adopted the design of the white cross on a red background as the national flag (the design is older and in 1863 it was used for the basis of the Red Cross’s flag) in 1889.  The current version consistently appeared over the years.

It was first used by Swiss mercenaries in the Middle Ages. Prior to 1889, each canton (the Swiss version of a state) had its own flag and national flags varied over the years.  When modern Switzerland was formed in 1848, they had to come up with a flag.  They tried a few different versions and eventually settled on the square because of its military origins.

All national flags are rectangular, with three exceptions.  There are only two countries with square flags: the Vatican and Switzerland.  Nepal’s is made from two triangles.

When neutral Switzerland joined the UN in 2002, it was a big deal for them.  It also presented a problem.  UN rules require rectangular flags.  Thankfully, a loophole was found.  New flags are permitted as long as they do not exceed the size of other flags.

Related articles

• Why Didn’t Hitler Invade Switzerland? (schwingeninswitzerland.wordpress.com)

 

Monday Was Swiss National Day

Did you work Monday?  He didn’t.  We didn’t.  Monday, August 1st was Swiss National Day (more about what Swiss National Day is in tomorrow’s post). If you didn’t get it off, make sure your boss gives you next August 1st off to celebrate. Here are ways to celebrate it:

 

• Fireworks (bonus points if you have them over a lake)
• Bonfires (preferably on a hill, mountaintop or other elevated spot)*

• Children carry lighted paper lanterns while they roam the streets at night
• Hang Swiss flags off a balcony

• Decorate busses with flags
• Put out special trash bags

• Bakers produce special bread rolls with a small Swiss flag on top.  What is a holiday without a special pastry?
• Dress up in traditional Swiss costumes

* Bonfires on hills and other elevated spot, commemorate the expulsion of foreign bailiffs in the fourteenth century.  They spread their news by bonfire in those days.