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Regulation on Flags of 11th April 1921 (Germany)

Last modified: 2011-06-13 by german editorial team
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• Introduction
• Regulation on Flags of 11th April 1921

See also:

• Second Regulation on German Flags of 5th May 1926 (corrections to the 1919 one)
• Flag Legislation 1919-1933 (Germany)
• Weimar Republic 1919-1933 (Germany)
• Germany

Introduction

A decree on flags was issued on 11 April 1921 providing for 10 flags, two of which were the two specified by the Constitution [national and merchant] and in addition President's Standard, State Ensign, State Flag, War Ensign, Defence Minister's Flag, Postal Flag, Jack, Naval Reserve Officers' Civil Ensign.

Norman Martin

Ratios given in the decree (Verordnung) of 11th April 1921 are 2:3, except for the president's standard —probably 1:1 was so usual that it was not mentioned—, for other national flags —no ratio given, as it does not matter...— and war ensign (3:5). The decree also said that former flags could be used until 1st January 1922.

Ralf Stelter, 8 February 2001

Regulation on Flags of 11th April 1921

(An unofficial English translation follows the official German text.)

Verordnung über die deutschen Flaggen, vom 11. April 1921 (Reichs-Gesetzblatt 1921, S. 483-485).

I
Auf Vorschlag der Reichsregierung bestimme ich, daß folgende Flaggen nach den Mustern der vorgelegten Flaggentafel zu führen sind:

1. Die Nationalflagge besteht aus drei gleich breiten Querstreifen, oben schwarz, in der Mitte rot, unten goldgelb.
2. Die Handelsflagge besteht aus drei gleich breiten Querstreifen, oben schwarz, in der Mitte weiß, unten rot; in dem schwarzen Querstreifen an der Stange ein Obereck mit den Reichsfarben wie in der Nationalflagge, an der äußeren Kante von dem schwarzen Querstreifen durch einen zwei Zentimeter breiten, senkrechten, weißen Streifen abgeteilt. Länge des Oberecks einschließlich dieses weißen Streifens gleich der Höhe des schwarzen Querstreifens. Verhältnis der Höhe zur Gesamtlänge des Oberecks wie 2 zu 3. Verhältnis der Höhe zur Länge des ganzen Flaggentuchs gleichfalls wie 2 zu 3.
3. Die Handelsflagge mit dem Eisernen Kreuz wie die Handelsflagge, das obere Eck mit den Reichsfarben belegt mit einem schwarzen, weißgeränderten Kreuze von der Form des Eisernen Kreuzes, in den schwarzen und goldgelben Querstreifen je bis zur Hälfte übergreifend.
4. Die Reichskriegsflagge wie die Handelsflagge, in der Mitte der Flagge ein schwarzes, weißgerändertes Kreuz von der Form des Eisernen Kreuzes, in den schwarzen und roten Querstreifen je bis zu einem Drittel übergreifend. Verhältnis der Höhe zur Länge des Flaggentuchs wie 3 zu 5.
5. Die Gösch besteht aus drei gleich breiten Querstreifen, schwarz, in der Mitte weiß, unten rot, darauf, in den schwarzen und den roten Querstreifen je bis zur Hälfte übergreifend, ein schwarzes, weißgerändertes Kreuz von der Form des Eisernen Kreuzes; auf dem inneren Drittel des schwarzen Querstreifens die Reichsfarben wie in der Nationalflagge. Verhältnis der Höhe zur Länge wie 2 zu 3.
6. Die Standarte des Reichspräsidenten ist ein gleichseitiges, rotgerändertes, goldgelbes Rechteck, darin der Reichsadler, schwebend, nach der Stange gewendet. Verhältnis der Breite des roten Randes zur Höhe der Standarte wie 1 zu 12.
7. Die Flagge des Reichswehrministers hat die gleichen Querstreifen wie die Nationalflagge, darauf ein schwarzes, weißgerändertes Kreuz von der Form des Eisernen Kreuzes, in den schwarzen und den goldgelben Querstreifen je bis zur Hälfte übergreifend. Verhältnis der Höhe zur Länge des Flaggentuchs wie 2 zu 3.
8. Die Reichspostflagge hat die Querstreifen wie die Nationalflagge, in der Mitte des um ein Fünftel der Randstreifen breiteren roten Querstreifens ein goldgelbes Posthorn mit goldgelber Schnur und zwei goldgelben Quasten, das Mundstück nach der Stange gewendet. Verhältnis der Höhe zur Länge des Flaggentuchs wie 2 zu 3.
9. Die Dienstflagge der übrigen Reichsbehörden zu Lande hat die gleichen Querstreifen wie die Nationalflagge, darauf, etwas nach der Stange hin verschoben, in den schwarzen und den goldgelben Streifen je bis zu einem Fünftel übergreifend, der Reichsschild, den Adler nach der Stange gewendet. Verhältnis der Höhe zur Länge des Flaggentuchs wie 2 zu 3.
10. Die Dienstflagge der übrigen Reichsbehörden zur See hat die gleichen Querstreifen wie die Handelsflagge, darauf, etwas nach der Stange hin verschoben, in den schwarzen und roten Streifen je bis zu einem Fünftel übergreifend, der Reichsschild, den Adler nach der Stange gewendet. Verhältnis der Höhe zur Länge des Flaggentuchs wie 2 zu 3.

Die Reichsregierung
Fehrenbach

Regulation on German flags, of 11th April 1921 (Imperial Law Gazette 1921, p. 483-485)

I
On the proposal of the Imperial government I prescribe that the following flags are to be used after the patterns of the submitted flag plate.

1. The national flag consists of three equally wide horizontal stripes, at the top black, in the center red, at the bottom golden yellow.
2. The merchant flag consists of three equally wide horizontal stripes, at the top black, in the center white, at the bottom red; in the black horizontal stripe at the hoist a canton with the imperial colours as in the national flag, at the outer edge divided from the black horizontal stripe by a vertical white stripe of two centimeters width. Length of the canton including this white stripe equals the height of the black horizontal stripe. Proportion of the height to total length of the canton like 2 to 3. Proportion of height to length of the whole flag cloth also like 2 to 3.
3. The merchant flag with the Iron Cross like the merchant flag, the upper corner with the imperial colours defaced with a black cross, fimbriated white, of the pattern of the Iron Cross, overlapping into the black and golden yellow horizontal stripes each up to a half.
4. The imperial war ensign like the merchant flag, in the center of the flag a black cross, fimbriated white, of the pattern of the Iron Cross, overlapping into the black and red horizontal stripes each up to a third. Proportion of height to length of the flag cloth like 3 to 5.
5. The jack consists of three equally wide horizontal stripes, at the top black, in the center white, at the bottom red; thereon a black cross, fimbriated white, of the pattern of the Iron Cross, overlapping into the black and red horizontal stripes each up to a half; on the inner third of the black horizontal stripe the imperial colours as in the national flag. Proportion of height to length like 2 to 3.
6. The standard of the Imperial President is a rectangle of equal sides, of golden yellow colours, bordered red, thereon the imperial eagle, suspended, facing the hoist. Proportion of the width of the red border to the height of the standard like 1 to 12.
7. The flag of the Imperial War Minister has the same horizontal stripes as the national flag, thereon a black cross, fimbriated white, of the pattern of the Iron Cross, overlapping into the black and golden yellow horizontal stripes each up to a half. Proportion of height to length of the flag cloth like 2 to 3.
8. The imperial postal flag has the horizontal stripes as the national flag, in the center of the red horizontal stripe, that is widened by a fifth of the edge stripes, a golden yellow post horn with golden yellow cord and two golden yellow tassels, the mouthpiece to the hoist. Proportion of height to length of the flag cloth like 2 to 3.
9. The service flag of the remaining imperial offices on land has the same horizontal stripes as the national flag, thereon the imperial shield, slightly offcentered to the hoist, overlapping into the black and golden yellow horizontal stripes each up to a fifth, the eagle facing the hoist. Proportion of height to length of the flag cloth like 2 to 3.
10. The service flag of the remaining imperial offices at sea has the same horizontal stripes as the merchant flag, thereon the imperial shield, slightly offcentered to the hoist, overlapping into the black and red horizontal stripes each up to a fifth, the eagle facing the hoist. Proportion of height to length of the flag cloth like 2 to 3.

II
On the basis of § 1 sect. 2 and § 22 of the law regarding the flagging of merchant vessels, of 22 June 1899 (Imperial Law Gazette p. 319) I regulate:

§ 1
The merchant flag is hoisted by merchant vessels at the stern or at the rear mast, and that as a rule at the gaff of this mast, in the absence of a such at the top or the shroud.

§ 2
Distinctive emblems may not be used on the merchant flags, unless regulated otherwise.

§ 3
German merchant vessels have to show the merchant flag:

1. on encountering with a ship of the Imperial Navy flying the Imperial war ensign,
2. passing a German coastal fort flying the Imperial war ensign, if the ship passes within a distance of three nautical miles — counted from the shore at next low tide,
3. sailing into a German harbour.

§ 5
The commanders of the warships have to supervise the observance of the regulations on flag usage by merchant vessels. They are therefore entitled,

1. in the cases of §§ 3 and 4 to enforce the showing of the flag, if necessary,
2. to take away from merchant vessels flags used as merchant flags, but not complying to the existing regulations, and pennants used by them, that are similar to the pennant of the navy, as well as to prevent the unauthorized use of the merchant flag.

§ 7
The regulations on the use and showing of the merchant flag are also effective for the merchant flag with the Iron Cross. The latter may not be used in ship boats.

III
German vessels carrying mail on behalf of the imperial postal service, but not being property of the empire, use, beside the merchant flag, the Imperial postal flag in the main top, as long as they have mail aboard. For the same time the vessels are authorized to use the Imperial postal flag as a jack at the bowsprit.

IV
All agencies, offices and officials of the empire, with the exception of the Imperial President, the Imperial War Minister and the ones entitled to use the imperial war ensign or the Imperial postal flag, use the Imperial service flags on land and at sea.

Official buildings of the Empire can be flagged with the national flag or with the Imperial service flag.

V
Captains of German maritime merchant vessels, that belonged to the Navy as maritime officers and have retired with the permission to wear the uniform, or that were naval officers with reserve status, may be authorized by the Imperial War Minister to use the merchant flag with the Iron Cross. The Imperial War Minister has to decree the implementing regulations hereto.

VI
This regulation comes into force the 1st July 1921. At the same time expire:

1. the regulation, regarding the federal flag for merchant vessels, of 25 October 1867 (Federal Law Gazette p. 39),
2. the regulation on the use of the imperial flag of 8 November 1892 (Imperial Law Gazette p. 1050) as amended 9 October 1907 (Imperial Law Gazette p. 753),
3. the decree, regarding emblems on the merchant flag for captains belonging to the navy as officers of the reserve status etc, of 1 July 1896 (Imperial Law Gazette p. 181),
4. the declarations, regarding the use of the Iron Cross on the German merchant flag, of 16 August 1896 (Central Gazette for the German Empire p. 461) and of 6 November 1901 (Central Gazette for the German Empire p. 404),
5. the regulation, regarding the showing of the national flag by merchant vessels, of 21 August 1900 (Imperial Law Gazette p. 807),
6. the decree, regarding the use of the Iron Cross on the merchant flag, of 7 February 1903 (Imperial Law Gazette p. 199),
7. the decree, regarding the flag of the Imperial President, flag of the Imperial War Minister and new imperial war ensign, of 27 September 1919 (Naval Official Gazette, p. 463).

The Imperial President
Ebert

The Imperial Government
Fehrenbach

Reprinted in:

• Valentin and Neubecker 1928 [vne28]
• Hecker and Hoog 1978 [hec78]

Contribution and translation by Marcus Schmöger, 22 February 2002

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