Southern Europe

Vatican City

A square flag divided vertically into yellow and white, with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal tiara centred in the white half. It was adopted when Vatican City State was created in 1929.

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Adopted

1929

Proportion

1:1

Colours

Colours & their meaning

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Yellow

Represents one of the two traditional key colours, gold.

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White

Forms the second half of the flag; no separate official symbolism beyond the field for the arms.

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Gold

Used for one key, traditionally representing spiritual power.

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Silver

Used for the other key, traditionally representing worldly power.

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Red

Used for the cord joining the keys; no separate official symbolism.

Symbols & emblems

Did you know?

Along with Switzerland, Vatican City is one of the very few sovereign states whose national flag is square.