Albania

3×5' nylon national flag of Albania.

Few national flags are as stark, or as old in spirit, as Albania's: a black double-headed eagle on a field of deep red. Albanians call their country Shqipëria, popularly read as "land of the eagles," and the flag makes that idea its whole design.

Design

A red field with a black double-headed eagle, wings spread, centered on the flag. There is no border, canton or inscription; the eagle carries the whole design.

History & Symbolism

The double-headed eagle came to the Balkans from Byzantium and was borne by Gjergj Kastrioti, called Skanderbeg, whose 25-year resistance to the Ottoman Empire (1443–1468) made him Albania's national hero. On 28 November 1912 Ismail Qemali raised a red flag with the black eagle at Vlorë as Albania declared independence; the date is still kept as Flag Day. Under communist rule from 1946 a gold-edged red star was set above the eagle. The star was removed and the present form adopted in April 1992.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 1912 (independence); current form 7 April 1992
• Official proportions: 5:7
• Colors: red and black
• Emblem: double-headed eagle after Skanderbeg's seal

Vexillographer's Note

Albania's official 5:7 ratio is nearly square beside the 3:5 flags it flies with. Our 3×5' size follows the American display convention, so it hangs evenly in a row of world flags.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864