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Genève canton (Switzerland)

by António Martins

Description of the flag
Symbolism of the flag
History of the flag
Flaggen, Knatterfahnen, and livery colours

See also:

Description of the flag

Per pale or and gules, dexter: a dimidiated eagle displayed issuant from the partition sable, crowned langued beaked membered and armed of the second; sinister: a key in pale upward contourne' gold.

Divided vertically into two equal parts, yellow (hoist) and red (fly). In the hoist, a black double-eagle with a red crown, beak, tongue, legs and claws, cut in half by the palar line. In the fly, a yellow upright key with its ward toward the fly.

Symbolism of the flag

The eagle symbolises loftiness, justice and protection. The key symbolises ecclesiastical rule, treasuries, and responsibility. The arms of Geneva are actually two shields impaled: half the eagle of the Holy Roman Empire, and one of the two keys of St. Peter (the "keys of heaven").

History of the flag

Geneva is one of the oldest cities in Europe, having been a Celtic capital before its conquest by the Romans in 121 BC. With the advent of Christianity, Geneva became an important and powerful bishopric. St. Peter's Cathedral still dominates the city. After the fall of Rome, Geneva came first under Frankish control, then Burgundian, and finally the Holy Roman Empire from which the cit