List of Estonian flags

The national flag of Estonia is a tricolour featuring three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white. The proportion of the flag is 7:11, with a nominal size of 105 × 165 cm. In Estonian it is called the "sinimustvalge" (literally "blue-black-white"), after the colours of the bands. The flag became associated with Estonian nationalism in the beginning of the 20th century and was used as the national flag (riigilipp) when the Estonian Declaration of Independence was issued on 24 February 1918. The flag was formally adopted on 21 November 1918, and on 12 December the same year the flag was raised for the first time as the national symbol atop of the Pikk Hermann tower in Tallinn. Starting in 1940, the flag and its colours were banned in Soviet-occupied Estonia, until the flag was restored to the top of Pikk Hermann on 24 February 1989 and reinstated as the state flag on 7 August the next year.[1][2][3][4][5]

The following is a list of flags associated with Estonia.

National flag

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 1990
1918–1940		 Flag of Estonia (state and civil flag and ensign) A horizontal tricolour of blue, black, and white [2][6]
Flag of Estonia (vertical) When displayed vertically, the blue band should appear on the left when viewed by an observer

Standards

Head of state

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 1993 Flag of the President of the Republic National tricolour with the greater coat of arms in the centre [7]
1922–1940 Flag of the State Elder [8]

Ministers

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 2005 Flag of the Minister of Defence National tricolour with the lesser coat of arms offset to hoist [9][10]
1927–1940 Flag of the Minister of War [11]: 185 

Military flags

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 2003 Flag of the Estonian Defense Forces Coat of arms of Estonia in banner form [11]: 247 
Since 1994
1927–1940		 Flag of the Commander of the Defence Forces Blue and white swallowtail with the lesser coat of arms offset to hoist, and yellow horizontal bands at the top and bottom [11]: 256 [11]: 185 
1927–1940 Flag of the Lieutenant General Similar to the flag of the Commander of the Defence Forces, but with yellow band only along the top [11]: 185 
1927–1940 Flag of the Major General Similar to the flag of the Commander of the Defence Forces, but with yellow band only along the bottom [11]: 185 
Since 2012 Flag of the Estonian Special Operations Force A black field with a white rhombus, fly side corner open, and a horizontal white sword [11]: 398 

Army

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 2005 Flag of the Estonian Land Forces A black field with a vertical silver sword, in front of it a crenellated golden beam with three blue lions [11]: 370 
Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 1994
1927–1940		 Naval ensign of the Estonian Navy Swallow-tailed national tricolour with the lesser coat of arms in the centre [11]: 310 [11]: 185 
Since 2008
1927–1940		 Naval jack White field with a black saltire and blue cross [11]: 312 [11]: 185 
Since 2018 Flag of the Vice Admiral Same as the flag of the Lieutenant General [12]
Since 2018 Flag of the Counter Admiral Same as the flag of the Major General [12]
1927–1940 Similar to the current flag of the Counter Admiral, but without any yellow bands [11]: 185 
Since 2018 Flag of the Commodore [12]
Since 2008
1927–1940		 Pennant of the Commander of the Navy White swallow-tailed pennant with a blue chevron issuing from the hoist and a yellow anchor near the hoist [11]: 312 [11]: 185 
Since 2008
1927–1940		 Pennant of a Commander of Division Same as the pennant of the Commander of the Navy, but without the anchor [11]: 312 [11]: 185 
1927–1940 Senior officer afloat pennant White triangular pennant with a horizontal blue band in the middle [11]: 185 
Since 2008
1927–1940		 Pennant of a warship commander White streamer with the national tricolour at hoist [11]: 312 [11]: 185 
? Presidential pennant White swallow-tailed streamer with the greater coat of arms at hoist
1923–1940 Pennant of the State Elder [13]

Air Force

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 1996 Flag of the Estonian Air Force Emblem of the Air Force on a white field, with the word "ÕHUVÄGI" above it [11]: 333 

Defence League

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 1999
1925–1940		 Flag of the Defence League The emblem of the Defence League (a silver eagle holding a silver sword and the lesser coat of arms) on a yellow field [14][15][16]

Government flags

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 2012 Flag of the Police and Border Guard Board A white lion rampant on a blue field, holding the lesser coat of arms [17]
Since 2000 Flag of the Internal Security Service A golden griffin segreant on a blue field, holding the lesser coat of arms. Above it is the motto "Virtute et constantia" and below the year "1993". [18][19]
1996–2009
1923–1940		 Flag of the Border Guard National tricolour with a yellow and green pile issuing from the hoist, defaced with the letters "PV" (for "Piirivalve") [20][21]
1996–2009
1923–1940		 Pennant of the Minister of the Interior White swallow-tailed pennant with a yellow and green pile issuing from the hoist [20][21]
1996–2009
1923–1940		 Pennant of the Director General of the Border Guard White triangular pennant with a yellow and green pile issuing from the hoist [20][21]
Since 2004 Customs flag National tricolour with a white square in the top canton, containing a black caduceus [22]
1994–2004
1923–1940		 National tricolour with a red square in the top canton, containing a white letter "T" and a black caduceus [23][24]

Sporting flags

Flag Date Use Description
Flag of Estonian Olympic Committee A white flag with the logo of Estonian Olympic Committee in the middle.

Postal flag

Flag Date Use Description Notes
1994–2009
1923–1940		 Postal flag National tricolour defaced with a post horn [25][13]

County flags

Further information: Counties of Estonia

Each county of Estonia has adopted a flag, each of them conforming to a pattern: a white half at the top bearing the county's coat of arms in the middle, and a green half at the bottom.

Flag Administrative division Adopted Description
Harju Since 1939[26]
Hiiu Since 1996
Ida-Viru Since 1997
Jõgeva Since 1996
Järva Since 1939[26]
Lääne Since 1939[26]
Lääne-Viru Since 1996
Põlva Since 1996
Pärnu Since 1939[26]
Rapla Since 1996
Saare Since 1939[26]
Tartu Since 1939[26]
Valga Since 1939[26]
Viljandi Since 1939[26]
Võru Since 1939[26]

History

Municipal flags

See also: List of city flags in Europe § Estonia

Political flags

Flag Date Party
Since 2022 Parempoolsed
Since 2018 Estonia 200
Eesti 200
Since 2006 Isamaa
Since 1994 Estonian Reform Party
Eesti Reformierakond
Since 1991 Estonian Centre Party
Eesti Keskerakond
Since 1990 Social Democratic Party
Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Erakond

Flags of ethnic groups

Flag Date Use Description Notes
Since 2003 Flag of Setos Baltic pick-up pattern arranged in a Nordic cross on a white field [27]
Since 2002 Flag of Votians Blue flag with a white pile issuing from the top, charged with a red cross [28][29]
Since 2013 Flag of Võros White regular octagram on a dark green field [30][31]
Since 2013 Flag of Mulks Blue field with a black side, separated by a red looped lucet cord with a white outline [32]
Since 1996 Flag of Noarootsi Parish [a]
  1. ^ Most of the remaining Estonian Swedes in Estonia live in this parish and this flag reflects the Swedish heritage of the region.

Historical flags

Flag Date Use Description
1953–1990 Flag of Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic Red flag with a golden hammer and sickle and outlined star above them in the top-left corner. A band of blue and white water waves in the lower half.
1944–1953
1940–1941		 Flag of Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic Red flag with a golden hammer and sickle in the top-left corner and "ENSV" (Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik) written above the hammer and sickle.
1941–1944 Flag of German Reich Red field with a white disc with a black swastika at a 45-degree angle. The swastika disk is slightly off-centre.
1918–1919
(50 days)		 Flag of the Estonian Workers' Commune A red flag with a golden canton. Inside the canton, the texts meaning "Estonian Workers' Commune", separated by a red line:
Estonian: "Eesti Töörahva Kommuun";
Russian: "Эстляндская трудовая коммуна" ("Estlyandskaya Trudovaya Kommuna").

On the red field there are also white Russian inspections "НА БАРИКАДЫ ЭСТОНСКИЙ ПРОЛЕТАРИАТ" "ЗА СОВЕТСКУЮ ЭСТЛЯНДИЮ, ВЕЛИКУЮ ВОЛГУ, УРАЛ, СИБИРЬ ВО ИМЯ III КОММУНИСТИЧЕСКАГО ИНТЕРНАЦИОНАЛА", which means "On the barricades is the Estonian proletariat. For Soviet Estonia, greater Volga, Ural and Siberia, in the name of the third Communist International".[33][34]

1918 Flag of German Empire Horizontal black-white-red tricolour.
1896–1917 Flag of Russian Empire Horizontal white-blue-red tricolour.
1858–1896 Flag of Russian Empire Horizontal black-yellow-white tricolour.
1650–1721 Flag of the Duchy of Estonia under Sweden
1561–1650 Flag of the Duchy of Estonia under Sweden
1570–1579 Flag of the Kingdom of Livonia
1587–1629 Flag of The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Version with additional arms of the House of Wasa.
1569–1587 Flag of The Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Tailed red-white-red triband with the coat of arms in the middle.
1559–1645 Flag of the Duchy of Estonia under Denmark–Norway
1237–1561 Flag of the State of the Teutonic Order White flag with a black cross.
1300–1346 Flag of the Duchy of Estonia under The Kingdom of Denmark

Proposed flags

Flag Date Description
Proposed Nordic cross flag
Proposed Nordic cross flag
Proposed Nordic cross flag
Proposed Nordic cross flag
1919 Proposed cross flag

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flags of Estonia.

References

  1. ^ "Estonia's Blue-Black-White Tricolour Flag". Estonian Embassy in Washington. 1 January 2007. Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b Tambur, Silver (4 June 2025). "Estonia marks Flag Day – a brief history". Estonian World. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Tall Hermann and Toompea towers". riigikogu.ee. Parliament of Estonia. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  4. ^ "WORLD : Estonians Hoist Once-Banned Flag". Los Angeles Times. 24 February 1989. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  5. ^ "National Symbols". president.ee. Office of the President of the Republic. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  6. ^ Maruste, Rait (2024). The Road to Estonian Statehood. Estonian Academy of Sciences. ISBN 9789949735457. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Riigilipu seadus". Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 23 March 1993. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Riigi Teataja 6 juuli 1922 — DIGAR Eesti artiklid". 6 July 1922. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Kaitseministri lipu ja Eesti mereväe lipu kirjeldus" [Description of the flag of the Defence Minister and the flag of the Estonian Navy] (in Estonian). Riigi Teataja. 17 October 2005. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Kaitseminister saab taas oma lipu" (in Estonian). Postimees. 13 October 2005. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Konso, Kalev (2018). Estonian Defence Forces 100 : Symbols of the units of Estonian Defence Forces 1918-2018. Headquarters of Estonian Defence Forces, Strategic Communications Department. ISBN 9789949414116.
  12. ^ a b c Roosipuu, Tauri (15 March 2019). "Mereväe sümbolid kaitseministri määruses". Meremees : Eesti merendusajakiri (in Estonian). Estonian Maritime Academy. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  13. ^ a b "Vabariigi Valitsuse poolt 27. juunil 1923. a kinnitatud määrus "Riigiasutuste erimärgid riigilipul ja vimplid"" (PDF). Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 27 June 1923. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  14. ^ "Kaitseliidu üldlipu ja embleemi kirjelduse kinnitamine". Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 5 October 1999. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  15. ^ "The Defence League's symbols and style guide". Kaitseliit. Archived from the original on 18 January 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  16. ^ Lään, Tanel (2012). Ühine tahe. Pilguheit Kaitseliidu minevikku 1925-1940 (in Estonian). Kaitseliit. p. 31. ISBN 9789949307883.
  17. ^ "Politsei- ja Piirivalveameti põhimäärus". Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 31 August 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Symbols and traditions". Kaitsepolitseiamet. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  19. ^ Kamenik, Toivo. Annual Review 2000 (PDF) (Report). Kaitsepolitseiamet. pp. 9–10. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  20. ^ a b c "Piirivalve lipu esimärgi ja piirivalve vimplite kujutiste ning statuudi kinnitamine". Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 27 August 1996. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  21. ^ a b c Võime, Lembit (2007). Eesti piirivalvest : 1918-1940 (in Estonian). Tallinn: Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. p. 36. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  22. ^ "Tollilipu, tollivapi ja tolliembleemi kirjeldus". Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 27 April 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  23. ^ "Tollilipu erimärgi kujutise kinnitamine". Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 25 October 1994. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  24. ^ Treial, Harri (17 December 1994). "Õnnistati Eesti tollilipp". Eesti Sõnumid (in Estonian). Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Postilipu kasutamise korra kinnitamine". Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 24 August 1994. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Riigi Teataja 15 august 1939 — DIGAR Eesti artiklid". dea.digar.ee.
  27. ^ "Setomaa valla sümbolid" [Symbols of the Setomaa Parish]. Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 30 January 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  28. ^ "Anniversary of Votic symbology". Fenno-Ugria. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Flags of Other Finnic Nations". leijonalippu.fi. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  30. ^ "Võrokõisi lipp". Võro Selts (in Võro). Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  31. ^ "Võro People Wave New Flag". ERR. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  32. ^ "Üleskutse: heiskame Mulgimaa lipud!". Sakala (in Estonian). Postimees. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
  33. ^ "Estonia in the Soviet Union (early flags)". Flag of the World. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  34. ^ "Эстония в 1917 – 1919 годах". Vexillographia. Russian Centre of Vexillology and Heraldry. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
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