CIRCA - 1881 🇲🇨 - 2 equal horizontal bands; red over white

HISTORY: Officially adopted in 1881 by sovereign decree, the bicolor is drawn from the heraldic colors of the House of Grimaldi,

Monaco's ruling family since 1297.

The red & white have been associated with the Grimaldi family since at least 1339, making them

among the oldest continuously used national colors in Europe. They, in turn, reflect the livery of

their homeland, Genoa (whose flag inspired the identical St. George's Cross of England🔍)

The bicolor was then re-adopted in 1945 (after the WWII occupations by Italy & Nazi Germany.)

VEXILLOLOGY:* In alignment with Monaco's national motto, "Deo Juvante" (With the Help of God), which invokes divine

assistance for strength & moral purity. Poetic interpretation of the colors reflect deep Christian principals, linking;

• The CRIMSON Band to Saint Devota's (patron saint of Monaco)- typically denoting the blood 🩸 of warriors, military fortitude, resolve, strength & courage but in this case symbolizing magnanimity and a 4c Christian martyr who spilt his blood upon the snow ❄️ - represented by...

• The WHITE Band symbol of Monaco's spiritual heritage, moral clarity & non-violence (along with traditional heraldic associations with ☮︎ peace, sincerity & purity.)

 The design is nearly identical to Indonesia's Flag (with only a slight variation in the hue of red,) and is an inversion of the flag of Poland🔍,

& essentially the flag of Malta🔍 on it's side, but the similarities were not intentional.

* The STUDY of FLAGS; their history, symbolism, usage, and design. From Latin vexillum - referring to a Roman military standard / flag (from velum= cloth/ covering/sail/curtain

[PIE🔍 root weg = to weave / to cover]) + Greek suffix -logia = study]