Hungary Flag

The History and Symbolism of the Hungarian Flag

A Tricolor with a Rich Past

The national flag of Hungary, known as the Magyarország zászlaja, is a horizontal tricolour consisting of red, white, and green. In this form, it has been the official flag of Hungary since 1957. However, the tricolour design has been used to represent Hungary for centuries.

The First Tricolour

The first known instance of a Hungarian tricolour was in 1848, during the Hungarian Revolution against Austrian rule. The flag was designed by a committee of Hungarian patriots, and it quickly became a symbol of the revolution. After the revolution was defeated, the tricolour was banned by the Austrian authorities.

The Establishment of the Republic

In 1918, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed and Hungary became a republic. The new republic adopted the tricolour as its official flag. However, after the communist takeover in 1949, the tricolour was replaced by a flag that featured the communist symbol of a hammer and sickle.

The Return of the Tricolour

In 1956, the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, also known as the Hungarian Uprising, erupted, and the tricolour was once again raised as a symbol of Hungarian independence. After the revolution was crushed, the communist government was forced to reinstate the tricolour as the official flag of Hungary.

Symbolism of the Colours

The colours of the Hungarian flag are said to have several meanings. Red represents the blood of the Hungarian people who have died in defence of their country. White represents purity and innocence, while green represents hope and renewal.