Background information
How (bad) my first time at Oktoberfest really was
by Livia Gamper
Why is the Swiss flag such a big plus?
1.8.2024
Translation: machine translated
Whenever you want to convey the feeling of home, you see it. The national flag. But why exactly with a white cross on a red background?
"Well, the flag is a big plus", Roger Federer is said to have replied when asked what the best thing about Switzerland is. I can't find any direct transcripts of this conversation, but one thing is certain: the Swiss national coat of arms features a large white cross on a red background. On Pantone colour 485C, to be precise. But that wasn't always the case.
Napoleon invented it
Napoleon Bonaparte himself ordered the Helvetic Republic (1798-1803) to adopt a tricolour flag in the colours green, red and yellow, thus creating the first Swiss national flag. Apparently, the population was not satisfied with this flag. It disappeared after the abolition of the Helvetic Republic and made way for the flag that today adorns pretty much every food package that wants to advertise "swissness".
S Chrüz is not so neutral
Red red red, like the base of the flag
Now you can sit back and enjoy your free bank holidays. Because with this knowledge, you don't need to drink alcohol to get on your fellow human beings' nerves with a flag. And yes, that's right, it's called a flag and not a banner.
Header image: Shutterstock
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.
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