Throughout history, there have been several ways to show pride, unity, and one’s identity. Flags are just one of the ways that have held strong. A flag, whether for a country or a region or state, represents one’s culture and values, and just overall importance. Historical flags have stood the test of time, but that doesn’t mean that all of them have stuck around. While the importance of flags has stayed with every country throughout history, it begs the question of which historical flags are no longer in use, or obsolete.
6. Flag of the Soviet Union
The first historical flag that no longer is in use is the State Flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or simply the Soviet flag. The flag is designed as a red banner with communist symbols displayed on the top left: a gold hammer and sickle with a five-pointed star. The flag was very common during the Russian Revolution, with it being a popular symbol to advocate the ideological commitment to place all authority in the hands of workers and peasants.
The banner was associated with socialist movements and protests across Europe and was adopted as the official flag of the Paris Commune in 1871. However, after Marxist-Leninist forces were victorious, the flag is now closely related to communist movements, having the historical flag relinquished in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
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5. Flags of the Holy Roman Empire
Next on the list of historical flags that are no longer used is the flag of the Holy Roman Empire. While not a national flag, it was an imperial banner used by the Holy Roman Empire. The flag features a black eagle with a golden background. In the late 13th century, the claws and beaks were colored red, and during the 14th century, a double-headed eagle was used.
When Napoleon Bonaparte declared the First French Empire in 1804, Emperor Francis II, the last Holy Roman Emporer, declared his personal domain to be the Austrian Empire, taking the colors of the flag to Austria. But Napoleon’s forces forced dissolution in 1806, causing the flag to no longer be used. However, the flag of Austria kept the colors until 1918.
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4. Flag of Hong Kong (1871-1997)
The flag of Hong Kong is currently seen as a white stylized five-petal, with the design being approved in 1996. But that wasn’t always the flag. The one between 1871 and 1996 was a Blue Ensign, with the coat of arms of Hong Kong on a white disk. Its nickname was the British Hong Kong flag because of its resemblance to the British flag.
Hong Kong changed it following a grant from the College of Arms in 1959 with the consent of Queen Elizabeth II. But while the flag lost its official status in 1997, due to the new one being approved, many have resurfaced it once more as a symbol of autonomy and protest against Chinese interference.
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3. Flag of East Germany
Very similar to the flag of Germany, this historical flag was the official national flag of the German Democratic Republic, or East Germany, during its existence from 1959 to 1990. The formation of West Germany happened when the relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States started to deteriorate, and the three Western Allies began merging their zones.
The design was derived from the Weimar Republic and communist symbolism and was eventually outlawed as an unconstitutional and criminal symbol in West Germany and West Berlin, where it was referred to as a Spalterflagge (secessionist flag) until the late 1960s.
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2. Flag of South Africa (1928-1994)
The flag of South Africa is currently horizontal bands of red and blue, a ‘Y’ shaped green stripe, and a black and gold triangle on the left side. But before that, between 1928 and 1994, the flag was simply an orange, blue, and white flag that also contained the flag of the United Kingdom, the flag of the Orange Free State, and the flag of the South African Republic in the center.
The historical flag was around when the territory was under South African administration and was based on the Dutch Prince’s flag. Since its removal, the flag currently has controversy, with some seeing it as a historical symbol, while others see it as a symbol of apartheid and white supremacy.
1. Flag of the Confederate States of America
Speaking of controversy, a historical flag that is no longer in use, but is still seen to this day, is the flag of the Confederate States of America. There are several different names for it, from the Stars and Bars to the Blood-Stained Banner, all running from 1861 to 1865.
The flag was adopted during the Civil War, and after the First Battle of Bull Run, a petition for a battle flag was created, which brought the Southern Cross version. There is a lot of controversy around this flag, with many from the South recalling heritage, history, and wartime sacrifice, while others see it as a symbol of racism and slavery, making it inappropriate for display.
