Flag of Slovakia

Slovakia's flag consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width, colored white (top), blue (middle), and red (bottom). Overlapping the hoist side of the white, blue, and red stripes is the national coat of arms. This coat of arms features a white double cross centered on a red shield, which itself sits on a blue hill consisting of three peaks.

The white, blue, and red colors are Pan-Slavic colors, shared by numerous Slavic nations and representing Slavic unity and independence. The double cross on the coat of arms symbolizes the Christian faith and is a historical emblem associated with Slovakia since the Byzantine era. The three blue hills represent the three symbolic mountain ranges: Tatra, Matra, and Fatra, which are important geographical features in Slovak history and identity.

The flag was officially adopted on September 3, 1992, following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Prior to this, Slovakia used a similar tricolor flag within Czechoslovakia, but it lacked the coat of arms to distinguish it from the flag of Russia. The addition of the coat of arms in 1992 was intended to clearly differentiate the Slovak flag from other similar designs. Its design is rooted in the historical symbols and colors used by the Slovak people.