LITHUANIA

REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

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MILITARY & NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS

Since 1990

Image Added September 2004

Air Force Ensign

Notes

The national flag of Lithuania, consisting of equal horizontal stripes of yellow, green and red, was originally adopted in 1918, when the country proclaimed its independence from Russia. The colors were chosen because they are the ones most commonly used in traditional Lithuanian cloth. A naval ensign was also adopted, consisting of the national flag charged with a red shield bearing a white two-barred cross. The state and war flag was red, charged with traditional Lithuanian insignia: a charging knight on the obverse and a castle on the reverse.

All these flags were abolished when Lithuania was occupied and then annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940, but the yellow-green-red national flag was restored in 1989 when the country regained its independence. Soon after, a range of naval and military flags was introduced as well.

The new naval ensign is based on the design of a nineteenth-century yacht ensign and is similar in format to the British White Ensign. The jack displays the insignia of the armed forces over a blue anchor. The presidential flag displays the state arms on a dark red field. (The President of the Republic is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.) This flag was first reported to have a purple field and 1:2 proportions, but the version appearing below shows the correct design. The other rank flags all are white with the national flag as a canton and appropriate insignia or stars in the fly.

Flag Proportions: The Lithuanian national flag's official proportions are 1:2; naval ensigns and flags (except pennants) are also made in these proportions. The presidential flag has 1:1 1/2 proportions.

Adoption Dates: The Lithuanian national flag was officially readopted in 1990. The various naval and military flags were introduced over the next few years as Lithuania established its own armed forces.