Flag of Serbia

The Serbian flag contains horizontal stripes of equal thickness in the traditional pan-Slavic tricolor: red (top), blue (middle), and white (bottom). These pan-Slavic colors represent revolutionary ideas of sovereignty.

The coat of arms of Serbia has a main large shield and a smaller red shield within it. The main field of the coat of arms represents the Serbian state. It also depicts a double-headed white eagle and a lily at each claw, which are considered historical dynastic symbols.

The smaller red shield represents the nation of Serbia and is divided by a white cross into four equal parts, each with a Cyrillic letter "C". These four letters stand for Samo Sloga Srbina Spasava ("only unity will save the Serbs"), the national motto of Serbia, which is used as a slogan and official motto. Above the eagle's head is a royal crown inspired by the crown of stars of Serbia.

Meaning of the colors of the Serbian flag

• The red color symbolizes the blood shed for freedom;
• Blue symbolizes the sky, as well as freedom itself;
• The white color symbolizes the milk of the mother who fed them to become good soldiers and even better people.

History of the Serbian flag

Although the modern flag is red, blue, and white, in the Nemanjić era it had only two colors - red and blue. Changes in the use of emblems and colors on flags throughout history have occurred as a result of changes in the state system. Despite this, the Serbian flag has remained an embodiment of courage and national heroism.

The earliest description of the Serbian flag dates back to the 13th century, and it mentions the flag from the reign of King Stefan Vladislav. It is assumed that the flag is older than the description, given that King Vladislav ruled from 1233 to 1243.

According to the surviving historical records, the flag of Emperor Dusan looked quite different. Namely, the map of 1339, made by Angelino Ducert, has the oldest drawing of the Serbian flag. It is the red and yellow national emblem of Dusan: a red double-headed eagle on a yellow field. The fact that red and yellow were the colors of the Serbian flag of this period is also confirmed by the flag of the Imperial Cavalry, which is kept in Hilandar. This flag is a red and yellow bicolored triangular flag. The flag of Chief Karadzorje existed in Serbia from 1804 to 1813. The chief was the leader of the First Serbian Uprising, which led Serbia out of Turkish slavery, laying the foundations of the modern Serbian state. Nevertheless, the flag representing Serbia at the time caused numerous controversies - not only because the country in vassalage relations was not even supposed to have one, but also because of its obviously "French" color. The flag of Serbia was "French-speaking," as was the Constitution of Stretna, written under the obvious influence of French revolutionary laws. The coat of arms on this flag is also specific: a Serbian cross surrounded by oak and olive branches.

The flag of 1838 is the first to have the same color as today, but there is one difference - there were four stars in the upper left corner. They are a symbol of the sultan's suzerainty, and Prince Milos insisted on this as proof of loyalty, as well as of Serbia's individuality on a political level.

The flag, which originates from the 1869 constitution, has a red field with three six-pointed yellow stars. They are a symbol of the Ottoman Empire's sovereignty over Serbia, as was the case with the flags of Moldova and Wallachia.

In 1882, Serbia became a kingdom, and Milan Obrenović became the first modern king.The princely coat of arms was replaced by a coat of arms with a double-headed silver eagle and a golden crown. Serbia used the red, blue and white tricolor until 1918, when it joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. 

During World War II, Serbia used a red, blue, and white tricolor with a white double-headed eagle in the middle, without a crown. This flag was used until the end of the war, when it was changed and a five-pointed star was inserted.

In 1992, Serbia would adopt the traditional tricolor as its national flag, this time without the coat of arms. This flag would be officially used until 2004.

In 2010, the design of the coat of arms was changed, and this tricolor is still the official state symbol of the Republic of Serbia.