Flag of MonacoPrincipauté de Monaco

What the flag looks like

The Monégasque flag consists of two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white (bottom). The proportion is 4:5, making it one of the closest to square of any national flag. It was adopted on 4 April 1881 under Prince Charles III. The design is identical to the flag of Indonesia, which uses the same red and white horizontal bands but with a 2:3 proportion.

Colors and meaning

Red and white are the heraldic colors of the House of Grimaldi, the ruling family of Monaco since 1297. Red represents courage, strength and the blood shed for Monaco's independence, and white represents peace, purity and the Grimaldi family's shield.

Red

One of the two heraldic colors of the House of Grimaldi, the Genoese family that has ruled Monaco since 1297. Represents courage, strength and the blood shed for Monégasque independence.

White

The other heraldic color of the House of Grimaldi, representing peace, purity and honesty. White also appears on the Grimaldi coat of arms as the background of the red lozenges.

Grimaldi coat of arms

The Grimaldi arms feature red lozenges on a white field, surrounded by a collar of the Order of Saint-Charles and supported by two monks with swords. The red-and-white flag is a simplified version of these heraldic colors.

Indonesia confusion

Monaco's flag is identical in color arrangement to Indonesia's but with different proportions: Monaco's is 4:5 and Indonesia's is 2:3. Monaco has lodged formal protests about the similarity, but both flags remain in use.

History and adoption

Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297. The red-and-white colors have been associated with the principality for centuries, appearing on the Grimaldi coat of arms and on Monégasque ships. The flag was formally adopted on 4 April 1881 by Prince Charles III as the official flag of the principality. The design has remained unchanged since, and Monaco's flag is one of only a few national flags with proportions close to square.

Key facts

Adopted

4 April 1881

Proportion

4:5

Designer

Traditional — based on the House of Grimaldi arms

Capital

Monaco

Country code

MC

Similar flags

Indonesia, Poland, Singapore

Historical and related flags

Monaco has used several flags across its history, and today uses a state flag with a variant design.

• Grimaldi rule (1297–1793): Various Grimaldi coats of arms and banners.
• French occupation (1793–1814): French flag used.
• Restoration (1814–1848): Grimaldi arms restored.
• Sardinian protectorate (1815–1861): Sardinian flags used for some purposes.
• Current flag (1881–present): Red-white horizontal bands adopted.
• State flag: Adds the Grimaldi coat of arms in the center of the white band.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Monaco look like?

The flag of Monaco has two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white (bottom). The proportion is 4:5, unusually close to square. It is identical to the flag of Indonesia except for its proportions.

When was the flag of Monaco adopted?

The current flag of Monaco was officially adopted on 4 April 1881.

What do the colors mean?

Red and white are the heraldic colors of the House of Grimaldi, the ruling family of Monaco since 1297. Red represents courage, strength and the blood shed for Monaco's independence, and white represents peace, purity and the Grimaldi family's shield.

Which flags look similar to the Monaco flag?

Indonesia uses the same red-and-white horizontal bands but with 2:3 proportions. Poland uses white-red (the reverse). Singapore uses red-white with a crescent and stars. Monaco's 4:5 proportion distinguishes it from all of them.