History of the flag and flagpole in Austria

Flags have a long history as signs of rule, belonging and community. In Austria the history of flag and pole mirrors the history of the country: from the Babenberg shield via military banners and the naval flag to the Republic, which made red-white-red the state flag in 1918.

From field sign to flag

According to the Ministry of the Interior’s article on the symbols of the Republic, flags developed from field signs via pennons and the banners of military units. The flag was a sign of battle, victory and rule, and for soldiers also a sign for direction and rallying. It showed belonging to a unit, a dynasty or a community.

The flag hung on a staff that was carried or set up, often with a finial – the “Krönlein”, a point, an eagle or a badge. This form lives on in traditional, club and church flags, which can also be blessed and are kept for as long as possible.

From staff flag to flag on a pole

The flag without its own staff, hoisted on a pole, comes from seafaring: according to the Ministry of the Interior, that is where national flags originated. Ships showed their origin with flags. The pole with line and pulley, on which a flag is hoisted and lowered, is today widespread on official buildings, businesses and homes.

Red-white-red through the ages

• 13th century: the red-white-red Bindenschild is documented from 1230 on a seal of Duke Frederick II.
• 14th to 16th century: red-white-red can be traced several times as a military banner, but loses importance as mercenary troops replace the knightly armies.
• Habsburg era: the black-yellow imperial banner largely displaces the red-white-red flag; it appears mainly at homage ceremonies and parades.
• 1786: Emperor Joseph II introduces a red-white-red war, national and naval flag. It serves as the merchant flag until 1869 and as the war flag until 1918.
• 12 November 1918: when the Republic is proclaimed outside Parliament, red-white-red flags are to be hoisted. Members of the “Red Guards” tear out the white stripe and hoist the red cloths.

More on the origin of the colours is in the guide to red-white-red.

The Day of the Flag

After the State Treaty of 1955, politicians looked for a suitable state holiday. They agreed on 26 October, the day on which the National Council decided on neutrality in 1955. On this day the Austrian flag was to be hoisted every year and schools were to hold a ceremony – the “Day of the Austrian Flag”. In 1965 it was renamed National Day, and two years later it became a day off work and school.

Flagpoles in the Armed Forces

The Austrian Armed Forces’ flag order shows how closely flag and pole are tied to ritual. In barracks, a flagpole stands free and clearly visible at ground level, its location highlighted for example by a fence or planting. At the flag parade at the start of the working week, the flag is hoisted with dignity. Flags of high traditional value, such as the flag of a contingent abroad, are handed to the Museum of Military History after use.

Maypole and flagpole

Besides the flagpole, Austria has a second tradition of the tall pole: the maypole. The building codes treat both similarly. The Tyrolean Building Code names flagpoles and maypoles among the structures to which the act does not apply; the Upper Austrian Building Code excludes summit crosses, wayside shrines and flagpoles.

From wood to aluminium

Flagpoles were long made of wood. Today, according to the maker Fahnen Gärtner, aluminium is the most common material, with steel or fibreglass for special poles. More in the guide to flagpole materials.