The Principality of Liechtenstein

The National Flag of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein was born out of the ancient Liechtenstein family's search for political power within the Holy Roman Empire. Unfortunately, they where unable to find land that politically would grant them that, until they found the lordships of Schellenberg and the county of Verduz. The Holy Roman Emperor granted them a seat in the council on the strength of these two tiny parcels of land. He re-named them "Liechtenstein" in honour of the family who now ruled over it.

The first flag for Leichtenstein was a simple bicolour banner, split yellow, and red.

In 1852, the flag was changed to a vertical bicolour flag of blue and red. The two colours from the Liechtenstein family's coat of arms.

In 1921, the flag was changed again, taking the vertical bicolour, and turning it round 90 degrees, so it was horizontal. 

In 1937, another change happened. Prompted by the discovery at the 1936 Summer Olympics, that the flag was identical to the flag of Haiti. so, in 1937, a golden crown was placed in the upper hoist canton. This was the final change to be made, and the flag can be flown in any manner. The only rule is that the crown most always be vertical.