The Bloody Legends: 5 Flags That Use The Mysterious Red, White, And Red Triband

The iconic red, white, and red horizontal triband is one of the most distinctive and historically rich flag designs in the world of vexillology. As of today, December 17, 2025, only two sovereign nations officially use this exact pattern—Austria and Latvia—but they are far from identical. The key to answering "what flag is red white and red" lies not just in the colors, but in the subtle differences in their ratios, the specific shades of red, and the incredible, blood-soaked legends from the Middle Ages that inspired their creation.

This design, a simple yet powerful combination of two colors, represents centuries of national identity, sacrifice, and ancient mythological origins. From a Crusader’s blood-drenched tunic to a wounded chief's white sheet, the stories behind these flags are as compelling as their visual simplicity.

The Two Main National Flags: Austria vs. Latvia

While both flags share the Red-White-Red (R-W-R) horizontal triband pattern, a closer look reveals critical differences that distinguish them to the expert eye. These distinctions are essential for anyone studying national symbolism and vexillology.

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1. Austria: The Oldest and the Equal Bands (1:1:1 Ratio)

The national flag of Austria is often cited as one of the oldest national symbols in the world, with its origins tracing back to the 13th century.

• Design: A horizontal triband with three equally sized stripes (a 1:1:1 ratio).
• Color Shade: The red is a bright, clear shade, officially defined as Imperial Red (e.g., Pantone 186 C or HEX #ED2939).
• Symbolism: The red bands traditionally symbolize the courage, strength, and sacrifice of the Austrian people, recalling the blood shed for the nation's freedom.

The Legend of Duke Leopold V and the Blood-Soaked Tunic

The most famous, albeit apocryphal, legend associated with the Austrian flag dates back to the Third Crusade (1189–1192) and the figure of Duke Leopold V of Austria, a member of the powerful Babenberg Dynasty.

The story recounts that after the fierce Siege of Acre, the Duke's white surcoat or tunic was completely soaked in blood from battle. When he removed his wide belt, the fabric beneath it remained pristine white, creating a striking visual of a white stripe flanked by two red stripes. Emperor Henry VI was so impressed by this impromptu "flag" that he granted Leopold the right to adopt the colors as his new banner, a symbol of his bravery and valor on the battlefield.

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2. Latvia: The Deep Crimson and the Narrow Band (2:1:2 Ratio)

The flag of Latvia is the other prominent R-W-R national flag, but it immediately stands out due to its unique color and proportions.

• Design: A horizontal triband with unequal stripes, where the central white stripe is significantly narrower. The ratio of the stripes is 2:1:2.
• Color Shade: The red is a distinctively dark, muted shade, often described as Deep Carmine Red or Ruby Wine (e.g., Pantone 201 C or HEX #9E3039). This darker color was specifically chosen to differentiate it from the brighter Austrian flag.
• Symbolism: The crimson red represents the readiness of the Latvian people to give their blood for freedom and their homeland. The white symbolizes law, truth, and honor.

The Ancient Legend from the Rhymed Chronicle of Livonian

Latvia’s flag boasts a history that rivals Austria's, with its design first mentioned in the Rhymed Chronicle of Livonian in the 13th century, making it one of the few flags in the world with a documented medieval origin.

The legend is strikingly similar to the Austrian one, yet distinctly Latvian. It tells the tale of a mortally wounded Latvian chief or leader who was wrapped in a white linen sheet during a battle. The sheet became soaked in his blood on both ends, but the part of the cloth where his body lay remained pure white. This blood-stained sheet was then used as a battle standard, leading the Latvian warriors to victory in the next skirmish.

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The Vexillological Deep Dive: Other Red, White, and Red Entities

While Austria and Latvia are the main answers, the R-W-R pattern—known to vexillologists as a Red-White-Red Triband—is used by several other entities, including provinces, cities, and historical flags, often with added coats of arms.

3. Horizontal R-W-R Flags (Sub-National Entities)

Within the two main countries, and in other regions, the R-W-R horizontal pattern is a common civil or municipal symbol:

• Upper Austria: The flag of the state of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) is a simple R-W-R triband, though it is often displayed with the state's coat of arms.
• Vienna: The state flag of Vienna, the capital of Austria, is also a simple R-W-R horizontal design.
• German Municipalities: Several German cities and municipalities use this pattern, demonstrating its regional popularity across central Europe, often with a slight variation in the white stripe's width or the inclusion of a central emblem. Examples include Stuhr Municipality (Germany), the city of Remagen, the City of Rees, and Bad Sachsa.

4. The Vertical R-W-R Flags (A Crucial Distinction)

It is crucial to distinguish the horizontal triband from the vertical R-W-R pattern, which is used by other sovereign nations:

• Peru: The national flag of Peru is a vertical R-W-R triband with equal bands. The red symbolizes the blood shed for Peruvian independence, while the white represents peace.
• Canada: The famous Canadian Flag, or the Maple Leaf Flag, is technically a R-W-R design, but it is a vertical triband with unequal bands (1:2:1 ratio) and a central emblem. The ratio and the large white square make it visually distinct from the Austrian and Latvian flags.

The Enduring Symbolism of Red, White, and Red

The longevity of the R-W-R design, spanning over eight centuries, speaks to the powerful, universal symbolism of its colors.

The Red in both the Austrian and Latvian flags is an unambiguous symbol of sacrifice, blood, and the fierce courage required to achieve and maintain national independence. This is a recurring theme in vexillology, but the legends of Duke Leopold V and the Latvian Chief give it a uniquely personal, almost mythical, origin story for each nation.

The White stripe, sandwiched between the two reds, represents the purity, peace, and honor that are the ultimate goals of the struggle. In the legends, it is the untouched spot—the piece of cloth not stained by blood—symbolizing the clean heart of the leader or the untainted ideal of the nation itself. This simple, two-color combination is a masterclass in national symbolism, conveying a powerful message of war and peace, sacrifice and purity, all in a clean, unforgettable design.