Monaco Flag

The flag of Monaco has two equal sized horizontal stripes. The top stripe is red and the bottom stripe is white.

Red and white were the colors of the ruling Grimaldi family. The colors are patterned as a diamond shaped pattern on the shield of the family's coat of arms. Therefore Monaco’s flag meaning comes from this family who ruled Monaco.

The Monaco flag was enacted on April 4, 1881, making it one of the world's oldest flags. Prince Karl III instituted Monaco’s flag on that date in 1881. Monaco was granted independence from Italy on January 8, 1297, when the territory was recovered by the house of Grimaldi, a family of Italian origin, who established it as a principality. The Principality, with an area of 151 hectares, is the second smallest sovereign state in the world with the smallest being the Vatican. This flag of Monaco can be flown both nationally and civilly by its citizens.

Monaco's state flag, which has Monaco’s coat of arms on a white background, is flown at government offices, the Prince's palace, in the presence of government officials, and as an ensign on the Prince's yacht. There is also flown a Princely standard, however this flag is only flown in the Prince’s presence or on the car that he is traveling in.

The principality of Monaco, an enclave in south eastern France, is the second smallest state in the world after the Vatican. Monaco was a battleground in the Genoese civil wars between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. The Guelph Rainier Grimaldi conquered Monaco from the Ghibellines in 1297. From 1525 to 1641, Monaco was considered a protectorate of Spain. In 1641, Monaco became a protectorate of France. In 1793, France launched a coup against the Grimaldis and made Monaco a part of France. In 1815, Monaco became a protectorate of the Kingdom of Sardinia. In 1861, Monaco was granted independence under the watchful eye of France. Monaco grew in popularity with the opening of the Monte Carlo Casino in 1863. In 1956, Prince Rainier III married United States actress Grace Kelly. In 1993, Monaco became a part of the United Nations. Monaco has no income tax; therefore many super rich individuals choose to live there for that tax benefit.

Individuals can find information or pictures of the flag on one of several websites that are available on the internet.