List of Polish flags

Flag of the Republic of Poland
Flag with coat of arms of the Republic of Poland

A variety of Polish flags are defined in current Polish national law, either through an act of parliament or a ministerial ordinance. Apart from the national flag, these are mostly military flags, used by one or all branches of the Polish Armed Forces, especially the Polish Navy. Other flags are flown by vessels of non-military uniformed services.

Most Polish flags feature white and red, the national colors of Poland. The national colors, officially adopted in 1831, are of heraldic origin and derive from the tinctures of the coats of arms of Poland and Lithuania. Additionally, some flags incorporate the white eagle of the Polish coat of arms, while other flags used by the Armed Forces incorporate military eagles, which are variants.

Both variants of the national flag of Poland were officially adopted in 1919, shortly after Poland re-emerged as an independent state in the aftermath of World War I in 1918. Many Polish flags were adopted within the following three years. The designs of most of these flags have been modified only to adjust to the changes in the official rendering of the national coat of arms. Major modifications included a change in the stylization of the eagle from Neoclassicist to Baroque in 1927 and the removal of the crown from the eagle's head during the Communist rule from 1944 to 1990. Legal specification for the shades of the national colors has also changed with time. The shade of red was first legally specified as vermilion by a presidential decree of 13 December 1928. This verbal prescription was replaced with coordinates in the CIE 1976 color space by the Coat of Arms Act of 31 January 1980.

National flags

The basic variant of the national flag is a plain white-and-red horizontal bicolor. A variant defaced with the coat of arms is restricted to official use abroad and at sea. Legal restrictions notwithstanding, the two variants are often treated as interchangeable in practice.

Image Name Design Use
Flag of Poland Flag of the Republic of Poland Horizontal bicolor of white and red
Proportion 5:8
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
National flag, inland ensign
Flag of Poland with coat of arms Flag with coat of arms of the Republic of Poland Horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe
Proportion 5:8
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Polish embassies, consulates etc.; civilian airplanes during international flights; civilian airports and heliports; civil and state ensign

Military flags

Rank flags used in all branches of the Armed Forces

Originally used only by the Navy, the use of these rank flags was extended in 2005 to all branches of the Armed Forces by an amendment to the relevant ministerial ordinance. They are flown to mark the presence and pay respect to the highest civilian and military authorities: the President of the Republic of Poland who is ex officio commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces; the Minister of National Defence who acts on the commander-in-chief's behalf in peacetime; Marshal of Poland, the highest rank in the Polish army (no living holders since 1989); and the Chief of the General Staff.

Image Name Design Use
Jack of the President of the Republic of Poland Red flag emblazoned with the white eagle of the arms of Poland and bordered with a white wężyk generalski, an ornate wavy line used in the Polish military as a symbol of general's rank
Proportion 5:6
On Navy vessels when the President is on board. On land when the President is present.
Flag of the Minister of National Defence Flag of the Minister of National Defence Swallow-tailed horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced in the white stripe with the arms of Poland and in the red stripe with a white anchor entwined with an S-shaped rope and a yellow cannon barrel in saltire
Proportion 5:8
On Navy vessels when the Minister is on board. On land when the Minister is present.
Flag of the Marshal of Poland Flag of a Marshal of Poland Red flag with a double white border emblazoned with the Eagle of the Marshal of Poland holding two hetman's batons (buławy) in saltire
Proportion 5:6
On Navy vessels when the Marshal is on board. On land when the Marshal is present.
Flag of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Flag of the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Red flag with a double white border emblazoned with the Generals' Eagle
Proportion 5:6
On Navy vessels when the Chief of the General Staff is on board. On land when the Chief of the General Staff is present.

Navy

War ensign
Navy flag
Commissioning pennant

The war ensign and the naval jack symbolize traditions of the Polish Navy dating back to Polish privateer fleet of the 15th–17th centuries. They are also symbols of a navy ship crew's courage, honor, unbreakable fighting spirit and readiness to defend Poland and its maritime rights. Naval Service Regulations define when, where and how the flags should be raised and lowered on board a navy ship.

Image Name Design Use
Naval ensign of Poland War ensign Swallow-tailed horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe
Proportion 10:21
Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Naval ensign
Naval Jack Naval jack Horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced with a cross pattée countercharged and, in the middle of the cross, with an armed arm brandishing a sabre (szabla) in a torteau (a red roundel)
Proportion 4:5
Flown together with the war ensign on Sundays, holidays and other special occasions; flown everyday when in foreign waters
Navy flag Navy flag
Flaga Marynarki Wojennej
Swallow-tailed red flag emblazoned with the Navy Eagle
Proportion 10:21
Ceremonial flag used on military holidays, visits of high civilian or military authorities, or representatives of foreign countries, as well as other ceremonies. Flown together with flags of other branches of the Armed Forces during Polish Armed Forces Day (15 August) ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.
Commissioning pennant Commissioning pennant Swallow-tailed bicolor of white and red defaced with a cross pattée countercharged near the hoist
Proportion 1:25
Ship commanded by a navy officer in a campaign
Naval auxiliary ensign Naval auxiliary ensign Blue flag with an image of the naval ensign in the canton
Proportion 3:5
Auxiliary naval vessels, such as patrol boats, tugboats, replenishment oilers, mine trawlers and degaussing stations, which are not allowed to fly the war ensign
Naval airport flag Naval airport (heliport) flag Horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced with the arms of Poland in the middle of the white stripe, the Air Force checkerboard in the white stripe between the coat of arms and the hoist, and a white anchor entwined with an S-shaped rope in the red stripe below the checkerboard
Proportion 5:8
Naval airports and heliports

Rank flags

Image Name Design Use
Flag of the Commander of the Navy Flag of the Commander of the Navy Swallow-tailed horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe and a white anchor entwined with an S-shaped rope in the red stripe
Proportion 5:6
On naval vessels when the Commander of the Navy is on board
Admiral's Flag Admiral's Flag
Swallow-tailed horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced in the white stripe with the arms of Poland and in the red stripe with three white five-pointed stars arranged in an equilateral triangle one of whose sides is parallel to the hoist
Proportion 5:6
On naval vessels when an admiral is on board
Vice Admiral's Flag Vice Admiral's Flag
Swallow-tailed horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced in the white stripe with the arms of Poland and in the red stripe with two white five-pointed stars arranged in a line parallel to the hoist
Proportion 5:6
On naval vessels when a vice admiral is on board
Rear Admiral's Flag Rear Admiral's Flag
Swallow-tailed horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe and with a white five-pointed star near the hoist in the red stripe
Proportion 5:6
On naval vessels when a rear admiral is on board
General's Flag General's Flag Swallow-tailed horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced in the white stripe with the arms of Poland and in the red stripe with two yellow cannon barrels in saltire above a yellow cannonball
Proportion 5:6
On naval vessels when a general is on board

Rank pennants

Image Name Design Use
Pennant of the Chief of the Naval Staff Pennant of the Chief of the Naval Staff Pennant consisting of two horizontal stripes of white and red, and a red swallow-tail, defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe On naval vessels when the Chief of the Naval Staff is on board
title=Flotilla Commander's Pennant Flotilla Commander's Pennant Pennant consisting of two horizontal stripes of white and red, and a white swallow-tail, defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe On naval vessels when a flotilla commander is on board
Division Commander's Pennant Division Commander's Pennant Pennant consisting of two horizontal stripes of white and red, and a blue swallow-tail, defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe On naval vessels when a division commander is on board
Group Commander's Pennant Group Commander's Pennant Pennant consisting of two horizontal stripes of white and red, and a green swallow-tail, defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe On naval vessels when a group commander is on board

Air Force

Image Name Design Use
Air Force Flag Air Force Flag
Flaga Sił Powietrznych
Swallow-tailed red flag emblazoned with the Air Force Eagle
Proportion 10:21
Ceremonial flag used on military holidays, visits of high civilian or military authorities, or representatives of foreign countries, as well as other ceremonies. Flown together with flags of other branches of the Armed Forces during Polish Armed Forces Day (15 August) ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.
Military airport flag Military airport (heliport) flag
Flaga lotnisk (lądowisk) wojskowych
Horizontal bicolor of white and red defaced with the arms of Poland in the middle of the white stripe and the Air Force checkerboard in the white stripe between the coat of arms and the hoist
Proportion 5:8
Military airports and heliports
Air Force checkerboard Air Force checkerboard A square divided into four parts, in form of a checkerboard, with alternating white and red colours, and with outer linen of opposite colours
Proportion 1:1
Military aircraft insignia

Other branches of the Armed Forces

Image Name Design Use
Flag of the Land Forces Flag of the Land Forces Swallow-tailed red flag emblazoned with the Land Forces Eagle
Proportion 10:21
Ceremonial flag used on military holidays, visits of high civilian or military authorities, or representatives of foreign countries, as well as other ceremonies. Flown together with flags of other branches of the Armed Forces during Polish Armed Forces Day (15 August) ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.
Flag of the Special Forces Flag of the Special Forces Swallow-tailed red flag emblazoned with the Special Forces Eagle
Proportion 10:21
Flag of the Territorial Defence Force Flag of the Territorial Defence Force Swallow-tailed red flag emblazoned with the Territorial Defence Force
Proportion 10:21

Flags of the commanders of the units of the Ministry of National Defence

Image Name Design Use
Flag of the commander of the Warsaw Garrison A dark blue flag with the emblem of the Warsaw Garrison Command in the centre, in form a coat of arms of Warsaw with the olive branches around it, and two crosses sables below it. Proportion 5:6.
Flag of the Commander in chief of the Military Gendarmerie Flag of the Commander in chief of the Military Gendarmerie

Flags of other uniformed services

Image English name
Polish name
Design Use
Flag of the Border Guard Flag of the Border Guard
Flaga Straży Granicznej
Horizontal bicolor of white and red with a green border defaced with the arms of Poland in the white stripe
Proportion 5:9
Vessels of the Border Guard
Police flag Police flag
Flaga Policji
Blue flag emblazoned with a badge used by waterborne Police units, i.e. a lifebelt and an anchor within a dark-blue diamond above a dark-blue ribbon with the word POLICJA written on it in white letters, all on a white eight-pointed star
Proportion 5:9
Police vessels

Naval flags

Special state service vessels

Special state service flags are used by state-employed civil special-purpose ships while on duty. These flags all follow the same basic design; a white flag with a horizontal stripe whose width is 1/5 of the flag's width. In the middle, each flag is emblazoned with the national coat of arms superimposed on a golden or yellow anchor whose height is 3/5 of the flag's width. The middle stripe is broken in the middle and does not touch the anchor or the arms. The type of special service performed by the ship is indicated by the color of the middle stripe.

Image English name
Polish name
Design Use
Hydrographic vessel flag Hydrographic survey and Maritime Office flag
Flaga statku hydrograficznego i dozorczego urzędu morskiego
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of a blue horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Hydrographic survey vessels and vessels of Maritime Offices
Lifeboat flag Lifeboat and pollution control flag
Flaga statku ratowniczego oraz specjalnego statku do zwalczania zanieczyszczeń
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of an orange horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Lifeboats and pollution control vessels
Icebreaker flag Icebreaker flag
Flaga statku używanego wyłącznie do łamania lodów
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of a violet horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Vessels used exclusively for breaking ice
Pilot boat flag Pilot boat flag
Flaga statku pilotowego
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of an ash-grey horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Pilot boats
Fireboat flag Fireboat flag
Flaga statku pożarniczego
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of a red horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Fireboats
Training ship flag Training ship flag
Flaga statku szkolnego
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of a black horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Training ships
Customs ship flag Customs ship flag
Flaga statku celnego
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of a green horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Customs ships
Hospital ship flag Hospital ship flag
Flaga statku sanitarnego
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of a yellow horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Hospital ships
Telecommunication ship flag Telecommunication ship flag
Flaga statku telekomunikacyjnego
White flag emblazoned with the coat of arms of Poland placed on a golden anchor in the middle of a brown horizontal stripe
Proportion 5:8
Telecommunication ships

Subdivisions flags

Current voivodeship flags

State flag Civil flag Voivodeship Year of adoption Design
Greater Poland Voivodeship (flag information) 2000 Trapezoid vertical bicolor of red and white emblazoned with the arms of the voivodeship in the red stripe
Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship (flag information) 2000 Horizontal tricolor of red, white and black (1:2:1)
Lesser Poland Voivodeship (flag information) 1999 Horizontal tricolor of white, yellow and red (2:1:2)
Lodz Lodz Łódź Voivodeship (flag information) 2002 Five vertical stripes of red and yellow
Lower Silesian Voivodeship (flag information) 2009 Yellow emblazoned with a black eagle with a white crescent and a crosslet on its chest
Lublin Voivodeship (flag information) 2004 Horizontal tricolor of white, red and yellow (2:1:2) emblazoned with the arms of the voivodeship
Lubuskie Lubusz Voivodeship (flag information) 2000 Four horizontal stripes of yellow, white, red and green (2:1:1:2) emblazoned with the arms of the voivodeship
Masovian Voivodeship (flag information) 2006 Red emblazoned near the hoist with a white eagle with a golden beak and legs
Opole Voivodeship (flag information) 2004 Horizontal bicolor of yellow and blue (2:1) emblazoned with the arms of the voivodehip in the yellow stripe near the hoist
Podlaskie Voivodeship (flag information) 2002 Four horizontal stripes of white, red, yellow and blue
Pomeranian Voivodeship (flag information) 2002 (original introduction)
2010 (reintroduction)
Yellow emblazoned with a black griffin with a red tongue
Silesia Silesian Voivodeship (flag information) 2001 Horizontal triband of blue and yellow (2:1:2)
Subcarpathian Voivodeship (flag information) 2000 Vertical triband of blue and white (1:2:1) emblazoned with the arms of the voivodeship in the white stripe
Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship (flag information) 2013 Horizontal tricolor of blue, white and red with a yellow stripe along the hoist, emblazoned with the arms of the voivodeship in the white stripe
Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (flag information) 2002 Trapezoid red flag bordered white, emblazoned with a white eagle's head in a golden crown and with a golden beak
West Pomeranian Voivodeship (flag information) 2000 Vertical triband of white and red (a variant emblazoned with the arms of the voivodeship is also used)

Historical voivodeship flags

Flag Voivodeship Years Design Notes
Zielona Góra Voivodeship 1985–1998 Horizontal bicolour of yellow and green
Łódź Voivodeship 1999–2000 Horizontal bicolour of yellow and red, with the coat of arms in the centre Unofficial flag, used by the Łódź Voivodeship Sejmik from 1998 to 2000
Lower Silesian Voivodeship 2001–2008 Horizontal bicolour of white and red, with a yellow coat of arms in centre, with black eagle with a white crescent and a crosslet on its chest
Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship 2001–2013 Horizontal blue, white and red stripes to the right, and a yellow vertical stripe to the left, with coat of arms in the centre of the white stripe
Masovian Voivodeship 2005–2006 Red with a white eagle with a golden beak and legs in the centre
Lower Silesian Voivodeship 2008–2009 Yellow emblazoned with a black eagle with a white crescent and a crosslet on its chest
Pomeranian Voivodeship 2008–2010 Yellow emblazoned with a black griffin with a red tongue

Historical flags

Flag Date Use Description
1927–1980 Flag of the Second Polish Republic and the Polish People's Republic
1919–1927

Alternate Polish National Government Flag (January Uprising)
1863–1864 The vision of the flag of Polish National Government (January Uprising) This flag consists of Pan-Slavic colors and coat of arms containing a white eagle, a knight on horseback and an archangel Michael. These elements are confirmed but have come in many variations, this flag is a modern interpretation.
1830–1831 Banner of the Kingdom of Poland. (November Uprising) The banner of the Kingdom of Poland from the Sejm hall, taken out after the November Uprising by Joachim Lelewel.

Banner with the motto "For our freedom and yours" (obverse and reverse) Khaki banner with a red cross and the motto, commonly used during the uprising in front of the insurgents' fortifications.
1815–1830 Military ensign of Vistula Flotilla of Congress Poland A ensign raised on the ships of the Polish Trade Company, sailing through the Black Sea to Mediterranean countries in 1784-1787. Restored by Tsar Alexander I in 1815 as the war ensign flag of the Congress Kingdom.
Flag of the Russian Tsar as king of the Congress Kingdom in 1815–1830. De facto flag. The state entity did not have an officially adopted flag.
1733-1763
1709-1733
1697-1706
Banner of The Wettin kings The state banner of August III from around the mid-18th century.
c. 1606-1648 Banner of Vasa kings Grand Standard Bearer of the Polish Crown (Chorąży Wielki Koronny), Sebastian Sobieski, at the wedding procession of King Sigismund III of Poland and Sweden, as painted anonymously on the Stockholm Roll (c. 1605).
1587-1655 Taken by the Swedish army in 1655.
14th century-16th century Banner of Kingdom of Poland
local
1920–1939 Free City of Danzig Flag of Gdańsk
1920–1922 Central Lithuania Flag of Central Lithuania
1918–1920 Lemko Republic
1918–1919 Komancza Republic Flag of Ukraine
1890 – 1918 Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria Flag of Galicia and Lodomeria
1849 – 1890 Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria Flag of Galicia and Lodomeria
1846–1918 Grand Duchy of Kraków
c. 1815–1848 Grand Duchy of Posen
19th century – 1849 Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria Flag of Galicia and Lodomeria
1815–1846 Free City of Cracow
1807–1814 Republic of Danzig
1226–1561 State of the Teutonic Order
1410 Pomerania-Stettin
1410 Prince-Bishopric of Warmia
1410 Duchy of Warsaw
1410 Duchy of Płock
Duchy of Rawa
1942–1945 Unofficial flag of the Home Army and Polish Underground State National flag with Kotwica (Anchor)
1940–1945 Peasants' Battalions
1944 Combined Armed Forces of AL, PAL and KBpl Historically not certain as a flag, but confirmed as a brassard.
1939–1945 Jewish Military Union This flag was flying over Warsaw Ghetto during the uprising.
after 1945 Jewish Combat Organization There is no evidence of the existence of any ŻOB flag during World War II, the design presented here was created after the war among veterans.

Political flags

Flag Date Party Description
current
2014–present Real Politics Union The actual flag consists of a black (not dark blue) background and a blue cross in a white frame.
2012–present National Movement
2011–present Congress of the New Right
2010s–present All-Polish Youth Szczerbiec on green background.
1990–present Silesian Autonomy Movement
1987–present Polish Socialist Party
1980–present Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity" Solidarity logo
1993–present
1930s–1940s
Falanga flagpl, symbol of National-radicalismpl Firstli used by National Radical Camp (ONR), then two successor organizations ONR-Falanga and ONR-ABC, ONR was reactivated in 1993 shortly after the fall of communism, currently, this flag is used by two more organizations called National Revival of Poland (NOP) and Falanga, which also use their own designs.
2010s–present National Revival of Poland
2019–present Falanga (organisation)
?–2019
2005–present Belarusian Christian Democracy Old Flag of Belarus
former
1980 Gdańsk Shipyard protesters during the August 1980 strikes The house flag of the Gdansk Shipyard, flown by the protesters during the August 1980 strike in Gdańsk Shipyard, and flown during the signing of the Gdańsk Agreement.
2010s–2022 Xportal
1950s Flag of the United People's Party section in Zębowice. An example of a variation of the party flag.
c. 1936 Sotsyalistishe Kinder Farband
1934–1940 German Union
1920s Banner of the Zblewo chapter of the National Party, before the introduction of the green and white flag, there were many local party flags.
1926–1931 Peasant Party
1920–1924 Union of Upper Silesians Flag of Upper Silesia

Organizational flags

Flag Date Use Description
1950–present Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society

Religious flags

Flag Date Use Description
?–present Papal flag Flags commonly used for Catholic ceremonies such as processions to decorate the area.
?–present Mary flag [pl]

Ethnic flags

Flag Date Use Description
1918–present Flag of Lemkos The middle band can be represented as yellow, orange or gold.
?–present Additionally contains the Coat of arms of Transcarpathian Ruthenia
1829–present Flag of Masurians
?–present Additionally contains the Coat of arms of Prussia, which is also Coat of arms of Masuria
1929–present Flag of Kashubians
?–present Banner of arms of Coat of arms of Kashubia
1882–present Flag of Silesian German Flag of Silesia and Lower Silesia
1920–present Flag of Silesians Flag of Upper Silesia
2010s–present Flag of Lipka Tatars A white flag with the tamga of the Golden Horde in canton.
?–present Flag of the Crimean Karaites

Regional flags

Flag Date Use Description
2022–present Flag of Kociewie The flag of Kociewie that won the competition. The blue symbol is stylized cornflower
2016–present Flag of Cieszyn Silesia It is a standardized design created in 2016 based on the symbols of the Duchy of Teschen.
1996–present Flag of Western Pomerania Sporadically used as the traditional flag of the region of Western Pomerania

House flags

Flag Date Company Description
Gdansk Shipyard
1957–2004 Deep Sea Fishing and Fishing Services Company "Gryf"pl
1970–1997 Polish-British Shipping Partnership (Polbrit)pl
1927–1950 Polish Shippingpl Used in cargo ships
1926–1939 Used in passenger ships

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-01-19 00:25 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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