Lithuania Flag

The Lithuanian flag is made up of three equal sized horizontal stripes. The top layer is yellow, the middle layer is green, and the bottom layer is red.

The Lithuanian national flag is based upon Lithuania’s national dress. The yellow layer symbolizes the sun, fields of wheat, and prosperity. The green layer symbolizes the flora, the fauna, and hope. The red layer symbolizes the blood that was shed for independence, courage, and the people’s love for their country.

The Lithuania flag described above was first adopted in 1918 during a period of independence from Russia. This flag in 1918 replaced a more traditional flag that featured a white knight on a horse. These were the traditional Lithuania flags. Lithuanians re adopted the plain tri color flag on March 20, 1989 shortly before regaining independence from Russia. Lithuania declared independence September 20, 1989. An interesting fact of Lithuanian flag is that on the independence day of Latvia and Estonia, Lithuanians are required to fly their flag or else be subjected to a fine. The same is also required of citizens of Latvia and Estonia. This flag is used both nationally and civilly by its citizens. Lithuania also has a state flag, as well as a naval ensign and naval jack flags that are flown nationally.

In 1253 Pope Innocent IV crowned Mindaugas as Grand Duke of Lithuania. In 1386 Lithuania and Poland united; they officially merged in 1569. The battle of Tannenberg signaled the removal of the Teutonic knights. Between 1793 and 1795 Russia received most of Lithuania in the second and third partitions of Poland. In 1918 Lithuania declared independence. From 1926 to 1940 Lithuania had a dictator named Antonas Smetona. In 1941, Lithuania was invaded by Germany. The Nazis killed more than 165,000 Jews in Lithuania. In 1944 the Soviet Union returned to take over Lithuania. In 1953, as a part of the Soviet Union it enacted a three color flag of red, white and green that contained a hammer and sickle on the thicker red band. This became the new flag of Lithuania. President Vytautas Landbergis gained independence from the Soviet Union. By 1993, Soviet troops had completed their removal.

Individuals can find numerous websites on the internet that contain Lithuanian flag wallpaper, Lithuania flag clipart, or Lithuanian flag screen savers.