The history of the Lithuanian flag

15th century

The earliest known flag representing Lithuania appeared in the 15th century. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania at that time used a red base war flag (Vytis).

The emergence and controversy of the tricolor flag

It is impossible to determine who was the first to adopt the yellow, green and red flag. However, it is generally believed that Lithuanian immigrants in exile in the United States first suggested the use of the flag. These three colors often appear on Lithuanian national weaves and traditional clothing. Participants in the Lithuanian National Assembly at that time preferred to choose the tricolor flag as the national flag of the new country rather than the Vytis flag used in the past by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. They did not choose the Vytis flag for two reasons: First, because the Grand Duchy of Lithuania actually includes Belarus and Ukraine, and the Lithuanian National Assembly hopes that the new flag can distinguish Lithuania from the previous Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Secondly, it is because red often reminds people of Marxists or communists.

Discussions about the flag arose again in 1917, but after consultation with heraldists, the tricolor flag of yellow, green and red became a final decision in 1918.

However, controversy continues. Opponents of the tricolor flag argued that gold was not an appropriate color because the combination of yellow, green and red did not comply with the heraldry laws of the time. However, the tricolor retained its status during the interwar years. During World War II, Lithuania was divided between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Under the Soviet Union, there were even situations where two flags were used simultaneously.

Soviet Period (1953-1988)

After the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania, it adopted a new flag based on the Soviet flag, completely erasing the national characteristics. The flag added green and white stripes below the Soviet flag.

The first version of the national flag (1988-2004)

In 1988, as the Lithuanian independence movement became stronger, the Lithuanian rulers reaffirmed the tricolor flag as the national flag, and a year later Officially regulates the colors of the flag. After independence from the Soviet Union, the tricolor flag was confirmed through a referendum in 1992 and was written into the new Lithuanian Constitution. The "Flag Law of the Republic of Lithuania" passed on June 26, 1991, stipulates the design of the flag, Dimensions and usage rules. The ratio determined at that time was 2:1.

The second version of the national flag (2004-present)

On July 8, 2004, the length-to-width ratio of the national flag changed from 2:1 to 5:3, and the Vytis flag was adopted as the national flag. Flag representing the Lithuanian government. The new amendments came into effect on September 1, 2004 after being confirmed by President Valdas Adamkus.