You’ve probably seen it fluttering outside an embassy or maybe during a random Olympic broadcast and thought, "Wait, is that flag just really dark red?" It’s a fair question. The maroon white maroon flag belongs to Latvia, and honestly, it is one of the oldest national symbols still in use today. But don't call it red. If you ask a Latvian, they’ll tell you it’s specifically "Latvian Red," a very particular shade of carmine or maroon that has a history much bloodier than your average piece of polyester.
Most people mix it up with Austria. I get it. They both have that horizontal "sandwich" look. But while Austria’s red is bright and punchy—like a fire engine—the Latvian version is deep, somber, and heavy with meaning. It’s not just a design choice. It’s a legacy that dates back to the 13th century.
Where the Maroon White Maroon Flag Actually Comes From
The legend is pretty metal.
Back in the 1200s, during a battle against Estonian tribes near Cēsis, a Latvian tribal leader was mortally wounded. His soldiers wrapped him in a white sheet. As he lay there, his blood soaked into the fabric, staining the top and bottom edges a deep, dark crimson. The center part, where his body lay, stayed stark white. When his warriors saw this, they raised the blood-stained sheet as a banner and fought their way to victory.
History or myth? Probably a bit of both.
The first actual written record appears in the Rhymed Chronicle of Livonia. It mentions a red banner with a white stripe used by the Latvian home guard from Cēsis in 1279. Think about that for a second. While most modern flags were designed in the last couple of hundred years during various revolutions, the maroon white maroon flag was already being documented when knights were still a thing. It’s old. Like, really old.
Defining the "Latvian Red"
Color matters. If you try to fly a bright red flag in Riga, it won't feel right. The official color is often referred to as carmine red, but specifically, it’s Pantone 201 C or 19-1557 TCX.
💡 You might also like: Hotels Near University of Texas Arlington: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the specific shade?
Kinda because of the dyes available back then. You couldn't just pop down to a store and buy "Cherry Blast" pigment. Early Latvians used vegetable dyes, likely derived from the roots of the lady's bedstraw plant or madder, which produced a darker, brownish-red hue rather than a vibrant scarlet. This earthy tone stuck. It became a point of national pride. During the Soviet occupation, the flag was banned. Completely. Flying it could land you in prison or worse. When Latvia finally regained its independence in 1991, bringing back that specific maroon was a massive "we're back" moment for the entire country.
The Proportions Are Weird (On Purpose)
If you look closely at the maroon white maroon flag, you’ll notice the stripes aren't equal.
Unlike the German flag or the Russian flag where every bar is the same width, Latvia does things differently. The ratio is 2:1:2. This means the maroon bands are twice as thick as the white band in the middle. It gives the flag a distinct, weighted look. The overall ratio of the flag’s length to width is also set at 1:2, making it longer and thinner than the standard flags used by many other nations or the United Nations.
It's Not Just Latvia
While Latvia is the primary owner of this aesthetic, you might see similar color palettes elsewhere.
- Qatar: They use a maroon and white combo, but with a serrated (zigzag) edge. Also, their maroon is technically "Qatar maroon," which is even darker, almost a chocolatey purple.
- The University of Chicago: Okay, it's not a national flag, but their "Maroon and White" branding is iconic in the academic world.
- Sports teams: From the West Indies cricket team to various football clubs, this color combo screams "prestige" and "grit."
But none of these carry the specific 2:1:2 horizontal ratio that defines the Latvian national identity.
📖 Related: 10 day forecast myrtle beach south carolina: Why Winter Beach Trips Hit Different
Why People Get Confused
The biggest culprit is the Austrian flag.
If you are standing 100 yards away and the sun is hitting the fabric just right, they look like twins. But Austria uses a 1:1:1 ratio—three equal stripes—and the red is a standard, bright heraldic red. The maroon white maroon flag of Latvia is intentionally darker to signify the "blood of the ancestors." It's a somber reminder of a long struggle for sovereignty.
Actually, the Latvians are so protective of this shade that the "Law on the National Flag of Latvia" strictly regulates exactly how it should be displayed and produced. You can't just wing it.
A Symbol of Survival
The 20th century was brutal for this flag.
When the Soviet Union annexed Latvia in 1940, the maroon and white was replaced by a red flag with a blue wavy band and a gold star. The original flag became a symbol of the "Forest Brothers"—the resistance fighters who hid in the Latvian woods for years, fighting a guerrilla war against the Soviets. To them, the maroon wasn't just a color; it was a promise of a country that still existed in their hearts.
During the "Singing Revolution" in the late 1980s, thousands of people began sewing their own flags at home. They didn't always have the perfect Pantone 201 C, but the effort to recreate that maroon white maroon flag was what eventually broke the Soviet grip. It was flown publicly for the first time in decades in 1988, years before the official collapse of the USSR.
👉 See also: Rock Creek Lake CA: Why This Eastern Sierra High Spot Actually Lives Up to the Hype
How to Recognize It Instantly
If you're ever in a "identify the flag" pinch, look for these three things:
- The Shade: Is it dark? Like a deep red wine or dried blood? If it’s bright like a tomato, it’s not Latvia.
- The Stripe Width: Is the white middle stripe skinny? If the white stripe is the same size as the red ones, move on. It’s Latvia only if the white is half the size of the maroon.
- The Length: Is it unusually long? Latvia’s flag is twice as long as it is high.
Meaning Beyond the Blood
While the "bleeding leader" story is the most famous, modern interpretations are a bit more poetic. Some say the maroon represents the readiness of the people to defend their freedom, while the white stripe represents peace, honor, and the "higher law" of justice.
It’s a striking contrast. The dark, heavy maroon creates a frame for the thin, bright white. It feels stable. It feels old.
Practical Tips for Flag Enthusiasts
If you are traveling to the Baltics or just want to display the flag correctly, there are rules.
Don't let it touch the ground. Obvious, right? But in Latvia, there are specific days—like November 18th (Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia)—where the flag is everywhere. If you’re flying it at half-mast for mourning, you have to attach a black ribbon above the flag on the flagpole. This is a common sight on remembrance days for the victims of communist genocide.
Honestly, the maroon white maroon flag is more than just a piece of cloth to the people of the Baltics. It's a survivor. It outlasted empires, survived being banned for fifty years, and came back exactly as it was in 1279.
Next Steps for Your Research
To truly appreciate the visual impact of this design, you should look up the Cēsis History and Art Museum. They house the oldest known physical remnants and historical research regarding the 13th-century origins of the banner. Additionally, if you're interested in flag protocol, the Latvian Institute provides official digital color codes for designers to ensure the "Latvian Red" is replicated with 100% accuracy in digital and print media. For those interested in the Vexillology (the study of flags), comparing the Latvian proportions to the Flag of Denmark (the Dannebrog) offers a fascinating look at how Northern European maritime and land banners evolved during the Middle Ages.