A traditional shape for the state flag is a rectangle, so each exception becomes very famous. But the square flag of Mauritania is no longer used, and many other options are not considered official. Therefore, now there are only two countries on the planet that use this form of standard. What are these states and what is the meaning of their symbolism?
Vatican
The dwarf enclave state is located in Rome. But despite its small size, it can be considered the answer to the question of which country has a square flag, moreover, this flag has been used for many decades, since June 1929. Then the Vatican City was officially founded. The banner used by the country has a square field divided into two parts of the same size. The left, located at the pole, is golden yellow, and the right, at the free edge, is made in white. The banner also has an image of the coat of arms - a symbol that looks like keys crossed at right angles. One of them is gold with silver accents, and the other is the other way around. This is a sign of the keys to Paradise and Rome. They are complemented by the papal tiara, which looks like a triple crown with a cross. On the flag it is made in gold with flowing white ribbons. Its form refers to the symbolism of the Holy Trinity.
The history of the symbolism of the Vatican
The modern flag of the Italian enclave can be a great answer to the question of which country has a square flag. But the previous version of the symbolism is suitable in the same quality. The version currently used is a bit like the old one, so of course there are similarities. The flag of the Papal Region appeared in 1808 and represented the theocratic state, which was part of the Italian kingdom. It was square and was also divided into two parts, the left was golden and the right white. He disappeared in 1870, when the Papal region ceased to exist, and returned with some transformations only in 1929.
Switzerland
Perhaps the most popular answer to the question of which country has a square flag is precisely this option. The Swiss standard is known throughout the world, with many associations associated with it. However, few people know that the form is connected with the military past of the country. The square flag of Switzerland is not approved by law, its aspect ratio is simply a tradition. The color is officially considered a mixture of yellow and purple, which corresponds to the 487th number of Pantone paint. The modern panel is supplemented in the center with a white cross that does not reach the edges. According to the old decree, the length of its ends should be one sixth greater than the width.
History of occurrence
So how did Switzerland become one of the answers to the question of which country has a square flag, and what does this symbol mean? There are many opinions. According to some, the flag was created on the basis of the coat of arms of the canton of Schwyz, however, then it looked like a Danish one. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the standard was triangular. Only at the end of the nineteenth the cross on it stopped reaching the edges of the flag. It is also interesting that the symbol of the international medical organization came from the Swiss flag. The modern symbol of this alpine country has two options. The official one (used by state organizations) is square, and the one that is used as a trade one has a very classic rectangular shape. The second version of the flag was alarming in society that soon the changes would affect the main version, but fortunately for the residents of Switzerland, nothing happened. The most famous square flag in the world has retained its former appearance.