From ancient kingdoms to modern constitutional monarchies, royal symbols have found their way onto many national flags. These regal emblems tell stories of power, tradition, and national identity.
Crowns and Coronets
Several flags feature crowns as symbols of monarchy:
- Spain: The coat of arms includes the royal crown above the pillars of Hercules
- Sweden: Three golden crowns arranged in a triangle pattern
- Norway: The royal coat of arms with crown appears on the state flag
- Denmark: The royal flag (split flag) features the royal coat of arms
Lions and Royal Beasts
Lions, the traditional symbol of royalty, appear on many flags:
- United Kingdom: Three golden lions (passant guardant) on red
- Belgium: Black lion on gold, representing the Duchy of Brabant
- Netherlands: Red lion on gold in the coat of arms
- Luxembourg: Red lion with crown and claws
Royal Colors and Patterns
Purple, gold, and deep reds often signify royalty:
- Japan: The rising sun flag represents the emperor as the sun
- Thailand: Red represents the nation, white for Buddhism, blue for the monarchy
- Bhutan: The dragon (Druk) represents the king and the thunder dragon
Ready to test your knowledge of royal flags? Challenge yourself with flag quizzes on CapQuiz and see how many monarchical symbols you can spot!