Red and black in various combinations and combinations with other colors are often used in state symbols. Some of these banners are well known, few know the history of others. However, each such flag deserves attention.
Egypt
In the symbolism of the Arab countries , green is often present. However, Egypt has a black flag with red and white, and in the center of the color panel complements the golden image of an eagle. It has been officially used since the end of the twentieth century. Three equal stripes located horizontally, and a golden eagle are placed on the panel, the width of which refers to the length as two to three. Red is located above, black below, and white between them. The first is a symbol of the struggle of the people against the colonists, the second recalls independence from the British regime, and the third tells of the 1952 uprising. Finally, the golden eagle denotes the Sultan Salah ad-Din, the leader of the campaign against the crusaders in the twelfth century.
For some time Egypt belonged to France and used its flag, then England came to the country. Only the sultan had a cloth - a red cloth with three months, inside of which there were five-pointed stars. After gaining freedom, the country used the green flag with a crescent for some time, and then the president adopted a new tricolor. It practically did not differ from the modern version. The Egyptian flag, red-black, with a white stripe in the middle, was decorated with an image of an eagle with a green circle, a crescent moon and three five-pointed stars. Then the bird disappeared. She was replaced by two stars. From 1972 to 1984, a golden falcon was present on the flag. And only by the beginning of the nineties the banner acquired its modern look.
Germany
A country whose flag is red and black is also in Europe. In combination with gold, Germany uses this color. Three shades are used for horizontally positioned equal stripes. Black and gold became state colors in the Middle Ages. A third color was added to them later. There is the following story of a black and red flag: it was used by the Jena Student Union during the Liberation War against Napoleon. Upon its completion, the female population of the city of Jena presented an embroidered banner to courageous students . It was a flag with red and black stripes and a golden oak branch. It was such a symbol that German students began to use.
Over time, colors began to be explained as follows: black means the darkness of reactionary movements, red symbolizes blood shed in the struggle for freedom, and gold means the sun that rises over an independent country. This value has been in use for quite some time. Nevertheless, the black and red flag, whose appearance was sung by the German poet Ferdinand Freiligrat, received official status only in 1919. The combination of gold has become a symbol of democratic Germany. When the Nazis came to power, the flag changed slightly, but the modern state has returned to the previous version, which now expresses freedom and unity.
Third Reich
Perhaps, when thinking about which country has a black and red flag, many will recall the tragedy of Nazi symbols. The swastika cloth is one of the most recognizable and is currently prohibited in some countries. The development of the symbol took Adolf Hitler a lot of time. He wanted to find an option that would be moderately simple and at the same time embody the ideas of the party. He was offered a white cloth, but he considered that the movement of the revolutionary era could not use such chaste shades. Therefore, Hitler used the old imperial colors, transforming them: instead of the tricolor, he developed a standard of scarlet color with a white circle, in which the swastika is inscribed.
However, some scholars researching Hitler’s biography have different opinions about how the flag appeared. The red and black symbol could have been designed by a dentist from Starnberg. He is also mentioned in the book “My Struggle”. There is also the point of view that the red banners of the communist parties were used as inspiration.
Ukrainian nationalists
Ukraine uses the yellow-blue flag as a state symbol. Red and black represents nationalists for whom these colors have ideological significance. It is believed that black symbolizes the Ukrainian land, and red - the blood of those who died for freedom. Such shades have long been used in national clothes and for decoration of household items. Nevertheless, they found an ideological meaning only after the First World War. Ukraine never used black and red flags officially, but it was quite used in songs and for holiday processions.
In addition, there is a theory about a more ancient use of symbolism. In Repin's painting "The Cossacks write a letter to the Turkish Sultan", written in 1880, it is worth paying attention to the background. On spears there is not only a yellow-blue, but also a red-black flag. This confirms the opinion of the ancient historical significance of the banner. Historians and experts checked Repin's work for authenticity and believe that there is no doubt about the credibility of the image: then black and red flags were really used. Ukraine may not use it at the state level, but the deep connection with the history of this symbol is difficult to deny.
Albania
Another European country, whose flag is red and black, is located in the Balkans. The Albanian flag has been used since April 1992, but old folk tales are the basis of symbolism. A red flag with a black eagle embodies the legend of a bird that follows the management of the country. There are options where a helmet is also depicted below. The version with a red banner and a star with a gold outline refers to the period of communist rule in the country.
In addition to the version with a fabulous meaning, there is also the theory that the double-headed eagle emblem is associated with the fifteenth century and commander George Castriota, who used this image on seals, after which it migrated to the standards. The country began to use the black and red flag since 1912, after it gained independence from the Ottoman Empire. No matter how the shades and shapes of the banner change, the double-headed eagle always remains in place.
Sudan
Muslim states often use green in symbolism, and this country is no exception. But on the panel there are other colors. What does the red-black flag mean and what does the white stripe in the center mean? The upper stripe of scarlet color is designed to remind of Sudan's struggle for sovereignty. White color is associated with the peaceful aspirations of the people and their desire for partnership with other states of the world. The lower dark strip represents Sudan itself, which in Arabic is called the country of blacks. The green triangle is a symbol of Islam, but is also associated with agricultural traditions that have long-standing roots in the country. Such a flag was adopted in May 1970, when the republic became democratic. There are also four colors of the state flag on the coat of arms. A black secretary bird is depicted on a white background, with a red shield on its chest and a country name written in green on its feet.
Papua New Guinea
An exotic country, the symbolism of which few people know, also uses black and red colors. The national flag is a cloth divided diagonally. There is a black triangle below, and a red one above. Five white five-pointed stars, folding in the constellation Southern Cross, are also depicted in the dark part , while the scarlet bird of paradise is bright yellow. Each of the elements has a special meaning. There is no polar star at the South Pole, so the constellation of the cross is used for navigation. It is used on flags by countries such as Australia, Brazil, Tokelau and Samoa. Black and red colors are common in the national art of the Papuans. Bird of paradise, which flies along the red triangle, is found almost exclusively on the territory of the state. The current character was adopted in July 1971, and its creator was Susan Harejo Karike.
Mozambique
Red and black shades are also used in the symbolism of African countries. For example, Mozambique applies such colors on its flag. Three horizontal stripes of the same size are located on the canvas: green on the top, then black, and yellow on the bottom, between which there are narrow white stripes. Red is used for an equilateral triangle at the pole, in the center of which is a yellow five-pointed star. On it are located a Kalashnikov assault rifle and a hoe, as well as an open book. Interestingly, the flag of Mozambique is the only one in the world that depicts modern weapons.
Zimbabwe
In Africa, not only Mozambique uses these colors. There is one more flag. It belongs to Zimbabwe and was first officially used in April 1980, after the victory of the national union and the cessation of hostilities. On the cloth, the sides of which are correlated in a proportion of two to one, seven equal horizontal stripes are located. The extreme ones are made in light green, then go yellow, after them red, and the central one is black. At the pole there is an isosceles white triangle. It depicts a Zimbabwe bird on a background of a red star with five rays. The color of the triangle symbolizes the country's desire for peace and development, red stripes remind of the struggle for independence, black is associated with the history of African tribes, yellow - with the wealth of nature, and green - with agriculture. The red star recalls the revolution that gave the country sovereignty. The bird is associated with archaeological rarity: stone figurines were found on the territory of the country, the symbols of which are now used not only on the flag, but also on the coat of arms, as well as on coins.
Angola
The symbols of this country also use red and black. In such colors, two horizontal stripes located on the panel are made. Above is red, black underneath, and in the center are gold images of gears, stars and machetes. The first symbolizes blood shed during the time of colonization, and the second - the African continent. Each drawing also has its own meaning: the gear is the workers, the machetes are the peasants, and the star is progress and solidarity.
Kenya
Finally, another African flag. The Kenyan cloth is covered with five horizontal stripes - wide black, red and green, between which there are two narrow white ones. In the center is the Masai shield, made in the same colors. Behind him are two crossed spears. Black color is associated with the African population, red - with the struggle for independence, green talks about natural wealth, and white symbolizes the world. Shield and spears indicate readiness to defend freedom.