The Oldest Flags Still in Use

The Dannebrog of Denmark is widely credited as the oldest national flag in continuous use, with a legend dating it to 1219.

The red and white bands of Austria trace to a ducal tunic of 1191, while the saltire of Scotland claims an even older legend of the 9th century.

At the other end of the scale, the newest designs of the 21st century include the flags of Montenegro, South Sudan and Mauritania, the straightened sun of Kyrgyzstan in 2023 and the new national flag of Syria in 2025.