The
Swiss flag, a white cross on a red field, is possibly the most widely appropriated national symbol. Directly, it forms integral parts of the corporate logos of
Victorinox,
Swatch and
Swissair/
Crossair, . It's inverse, a red cross on a white field, is used by the
Geneva based
International Committee of the Red Cross, and hostpitals around the world.
The Swiss flag has it's origins in Ancient Rome, when a the modern
canton of
Schwyz was the home of a crack
Roman Legion. The
white on red cross was awarded to the legion for it's bravery, and more poignantly,
discipline. The Symbol continued to be used well after Rome's influence had waned, was adopted by the new
Helvetican Conferation, and remained as it grew into modern Switzerland.
In the 20th Century, the Swiss flag was the subject of three
referenda proposing that it's shape be changed to a rectangle. Instead, the Swiss flag remains the only
square national flag.