Russia

The flag of Russia is a tricolour styled flag consisting of three equal sized horizontal fields of (from the top of the flag to the bottom of the flag) white, blue and red. The flag's ratio is 2:3.

The present day flag of Russia has been in and out of use as the country's official flag for centuries. The flag was first used as an ensign for Russian merchant ships before becoming the official flag of the Tsardom of Russia in 1696. In 1858, the Russian Empire adopted a different flag design before the previous flag design was reinstated in 1896. However, following the Bolshevik Revolution and the formation of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic in 1917, the flag was once again shelved and no longer used as the national flag of Russia. Following the dissolution of the USSR, the original tricolour design was restored as the national flag of Russia and has remained so since 11 December 1993.

The colours of the Russian flag are said to symbolise various ideals. The colour white is said to symbolise nobility and frankness. The colour blue is said to symbolise faithfulness, honesty, impeccability and chastity. The colour red is said to symbolise courage, generosity and love. The Russian flag's colours are said to derive from the original colours of the city of Moscow. The flag's colours have influenced numerous other Eastern European flags and are known as the Pan-Slavic colours.

Russia celebrates its national flag day on 22 August each year.

The flag of Russia flying