Every canton in Switzerland has its own unique flag. And, just like the Swiss national flag, all of them are square.

Zurich

Zurich’s cantonal flag has a simple blue and white design that goes way back to the 11th century. The blue on the flag is said to symbolise the lake, and the white is for the snow on the mountains you can see at the end of Lake Zurich.

Basel City

The city of Basel is a separate canton and has its own flag. It has a distinctive badge of the staff of the Bishops of Basel. It is a black color on a white background.

Geneva

Geneva’s flag is far more flamboyant than all the rest, going against the grain of the more asture flags of other cantons. In the center of their flag is the Key of St. Peter as well as the Imperial Eagle.

Bern

Bern’s cantonal flag features their heraldic colors of black and red, with a yellow diagonal in the corners. The symbol of Bern is of course the black bear. And in this case, the red is featured in the tongue, claws and penis which are all pointing upwards. The current flag is from the 13th century.

Aargau

The design of the cantonal flag of Aargau is a little more mysterious until you break it all down. it has three waves that represent the rivers running through the canton: the Reuss, Limmat and Aare rivers. The three stars signify the three major regions: Baden, the Free Bailies, and the Frick Valley.

Lucerne

Lucerne’s cantonal flag will remind you of Zurich’s with a clear blue and white design. This time it is not diagonal but horizontal, however, it is also thought to represent the Lake of Lucerne and the mountains around it. They are also quite dominant in that canton.

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Basel Land

The Basel land flag is similar to the city flag, but is red, points in the other direction and the top portion is slightly different.

Solothurn

Solothurn has another simple red and white flag (red and silver) that has been with them since 1843. The colors are apparently associated with their patron saint – St Ursanne.

Schwyz

Canton Schwyz has a red flag with a white cross located in the top right-hand corner. This is reminiscent of the Holy Romain Empire flag

Vaud

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Canton Vaud has another two color flag, green and white, however in this case there is also a motto: Liberté et patrie. This means Freedom and Homeland.