The Flag of Austria

The origins of the Austrian flag date back to the late 12th century. According to legend, the design was inspired by the Siege of Acre in 1191 during the Third Crusade, when Duke Leopold V of Austria's white battle tunic became soaked with blood, leaving only a white band visible when he removed his belt. Despite this legendary origin, the first documented use of the red-white-red colors was in 1230. The flag, as it is known today, was officially adopted in its current form in 1918, following the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I. The flag was briefly banned during the Anschluss with Nazi Germany from 1938 to 1945. After World War II, the flag was reinstated and has since remained a symbol of Austria's identity and sovereignty.