The Meaning of Poland’s Flag: Colours, History and Proper Use

The Polish Genealogist Updated on

Poland’s flag is one of Europe’s simplest national flags: two horizontal stripes, white above red. The colours come from the Polish coat of arms, and Polish law sets out how the flag is used. This guide covers where the colours come from, when they became official and how to display the flag correctly.

What do the colours of the Polish flag mean?

The Polish flag has two colours:

  • White (top stripe)
  • Red (bottom stripe)

In the most widely accepted historical interpretation, these colours come from Poland’s heraldry, specifically the White Eagle (the national emblem) on a red field. In other words, the flag’s colours reflect the national coat of arms: white for the eagle, red for the background.

Where do the colours come from? The White Eagle and Polish heraldry

Poland’s national emblem is the White Eagle (Orzeł Biały), traditionally shown as a white eagle with a crown on a red shield. White and red became the national colours from these two elements.

When was Poland’s flag adopted?

White and red were first made the national colours by a resolution of the Sejm of the Kingdom of Poland on 7 February 1831, which set the colours of the national cockade. After independence, the Sejm passed a law on 1 August 1919 that established the white-over-red flag and a version with the White Eagle. The current rules are in the Act of 31 January 1980 on the coat of arms, colours and anthem.

Why is the white stripe on top?

Poland’s flag is white above red for a reason: it matches the heraldic logic of the national emblem (white eagle on red). Reversing the stripes is wrong.

  • Hung horizontally: white must be on top
  • Hung vertically: white on the left as seen by the viewer

Poland’s flag vs the flag with the coat of arms

You may have seen two similar flags:

  1. National flag of Poland: plain white over red
  2. State flag of Poland: white over red with the coat of arms (the White Eagle) on the white stripe

In short:

  • The plain flag is for broad civilian use (homes, events, national holidays, sporting occasions).
  • The flag with the coat of arms is reserved by law for specified uses, such as Polish diplomatic missions abroad, civil airports and civil aircraft.

Is Poland’s flag the same as Indonesia’s or Monaco’s?

Poland’s flag is sometimes confused with Indonesia’s and Monaco’s because those flags also use red and white. The difference is the order of the stripes:

  • Poland: white above red
  • Indonesia / Monaco: red above white

So if you ever see “Poland’s flag” with red on top, it is either upside down or it’s another country’s flag.

Displaying the flag

Keep the white stripe on top, or on the left when the flag hangs vertically. Use a clean flag in good condition and replace one that is torn or badly faded. It should not touch the ground or be used as a tablecloth, clothing or an advertising banner, and nothing should be written or printed on it.

The flag and family history

Between 1795 and 1918 there was no Polish state, and white-and-red emblems on a family photograph, a uniform or a society badge from those years were a statement of Polish identity under Prussian, Austrian or Russian rule. The same border changes decide which archive holds your ancestors’ records and which language they were written in.

FAQs

Can I fly Poland’s flag in the UK?

Yes. In England the national flag of any country can be flown from a single flagpole without planning consent. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules.