Book Review: Der lange Weg zur Schweizerfahne/Le long chemin vers le Drapeau Suisse/The Long Way to the Swiss Flag

Authors

Rob Sherwood, Georgia Military College

Keywords

history of the Swiss Flag, Swiss Confederation imagery, Old Confederation to Federal State, military field symbols and fanions

Abstract

As the classic joke goes, “What is great about Switzerland? I don’t know, but their flag is a big plus.” The Swiss flag is indeed one of the most distinctive in the world. Officially, it is one of only three national flags (along with those of Vatican City and Nepal) that is not a rectangle. The Long Way to the Swiss Flag offers a comprehensive look into the history, origins, and evolution of the familiar red field with a white cross—the emblem of the Swiss Confederation. While many believe the Swiss flag is merely an extension of the flag of Canton Schwyz, but the full story is far more intriguing.

Recommended Citation

Sherwood, Rob (2025) "Book Review: Der lange Weg zur Schweizerfahne/Le long chemin vers le Drapeau Suisse/The Long Way to the Swiss Flag," Swiss American Historical Society Review: Vol. 61: No. 2, Article 9.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol61/iss2/9