The Serbian flag is made up of three horizontal stripes that are equal in size. The top stripe is red, the middle stripe is white, and the bottom stripe is blue. The red represents freedom and revolution, the blue represents justice and truth, and the white represents peace and unity.
On top of the stripes and left-of-center is the Serbian coat of arms (a Byzantine, two-headed eagle behind a shield).
The history of the Serbian flag
The flag of Serbia has a long and complex history that dates back to the 19th century.
It was first used as a national flag in 1835, when it was hoisted by Serbian rebels during the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire. The Serbian flag was designed to mimic the flag of the Russian Empire, which at the time was a major ally of Serbia.
After the uprising was successful and Serbia gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire, the flag was officially adopted as the national flag in 1882.
Serbia's flag was later used as the national flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the flag of Serbia was once again adopted as the national flag of the Republic of Serbia. Today, it continues to be an important symbol of Serbian national identity and is flown with pride by Serbians all over the world.
Serbian flag facts
First use
The Serbian flag was first used as a national flag in 1835, when it was hoisted by Serbian rebels during the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire.
Design
The flag was designed to mimic the flag of the Russian Empire, which at the time was a major ally of Serbia.
Adoption
After the uprising was successful and Serbia gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire, the flag was officially adopted as the national flag in 1882.
Later uses
The flag was later used as the national flag of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Present day
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, the flag of Serbia was once again adopted as the national flag of the Republic of Serbia. Today, the flag continues to be an important symbol of Serbian national identity and is flown with pride by Serbians all over the world.