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Solothurn 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 fess gules and argent.

Divided horizontally into equal parts red over white.

Symbolism of the flag

There are at least two theories on the origin of Solothurn's colours. One holds that they came from the vexillum of the ancient Roman Legion of Thebes which was massacred in Helvetia in 302. St. Ursus, the patron saint of Solothurn, was allegedly an officer of the legion. Less likely, Solothurn adopted the colours of Austria (as did Schwyz and Unterwald).

History of the flag

According to legend, Ursus was an early Christian who proselytised the Solothurn region. He was persecuted and eventually decapitated on the Aare River bridge, and his body thrown into the river. But the body swam ashore, picked up its head, and walked to its burial place. Thus did Ursus become the patron saint of the city. The seal of the city has always depicted St. Ursus, and as early as 1394 the seal contained a red and white background identical to the current flag, so these are regarded as St. Ursus' colours. Solothurn became an independent state in the empire in 1447, and was admitted to the Swiss confederation on the same day as Fribourg in 1481. This was done over the objections of Obwald, whose flag at the time was identical.

T.F. Mills, 19 October 1997