Countries with a Cross Flag 2026

One of only two square sovereign-state flags in the world (the other is Vatican City). The bold white Greek cross — with arms of equal length that do not extend to the flag's edge — has been a Swiss military field sign since at least the Battle of Laupen in 1339. Adopted as the official national flag in 1889. The design is so iconic that the International Red Cross simply inverted its colours — red cross on white — as a tribute to Swiss founder Henri Dunant. Red symbolises freedom, honour, and fidelity; the cross represents Christianity and humanitarian values.

Known as the Dannebrog ('Danish cloth'), this is the oldest continuously-used national flag in the world — legend places its first appearance at the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219, with documented use from around 1370. The white Nordic cross extends to all four edges of the flag, with the vertical bar shifted toward the hoist — a design template later adopted by Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Red represents courage; white represents peace and honesty. The Danish flag is constitutionally protected, and its form has been codified in law since 1748.

Known as the Five-Cross Flag (Georgian: ხუთჯვრიანი დროშა), the design dates to the medieval Kingdom of Georgia and was repopularised during the 2003–04 Rose Revolution. A large red cross divides the white field into four quadrants, each containing a smaller Bolnisi-Katskhuri-style red cross. The five crosses are traditionally interpreted as representing either the Five Holy Wounds of Christ, or Christ and the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Unlike all other countries on this map, Georgia's cross is red on white — making it the purest visual echo of the Red Cross emblem itself.

The flag of the Kingdom of Tonga features a bold red field with a white rectangle (canton) in the upper-hoist corner. Inside that canton sits a red Greek cross — a couped cross, meaning its arms do not touch the edges of the canton. Adopted on 4 November 1875 and enshrined in the Tongan constitution, it is the only national flag protected by constitutional clause from ever being changed. The red cross symbolises Christianity; the red field represents the blood of Christ; the white stands for purity. Tonga was never colonised, and its flag reflects its status as a sovereign Christian Pacific kingdom.

Iceland's flag is described in law as 'sky-blue with a snow-white cross and a fiery-red cross inside the white cross.' A red Nordic cross is outlined (fimbriated) in white and set on a blue field, with the vertical bar offset toward the hoist. The design dates to 1915 — red was added to a plain blue-and-white flag to distinguish it from similar Scandinavian designs. The blue represents the Atlantic Ocean and Icelandic skies; white evokes the glaciers and snow; red symbolises the volcanic fire that shapes the island. Iceland became a republic on 17 June 1944, the same day the flag became official law.