Flag of the Holy Roman Empire

What the flag looks like

A gold field with a black double-headed eagle, each head surrounded by a halo, with red beaks, tongues and talons.

What it means

Black and gold were the imperial colors, and the double-headed eagle became the emblem of the emperor in the 15th century, while a single-headed eagle stood for the King of the Romans.

How to remember it

The Holy Roman Empire's banner is a black two-headed eagle with haloes on gold; Albania's black two-headed eagle sits on red, and Prussia's single-headed eagle on white.

Fun facts

• Voltaire quipped that the Holy Roman Empire was "neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire".
• The empire was dissolved in 1806, when Francis II laid down the crown after Napoleon's victories; he continued to reign as Emperor of Austria.

Holy Roman Empire at a glance

Existed

962–1806

Flag used

c. 1430–1806

Today

Germany, Austria, Czechia and neighbours

Region

962–1806

Languages

German, Latin

Flag adopted

c. 1430

Flags often confused with the Holy Roman Empire

• Albania: The Holy Roman Empire and Albania both show a black double-headed eagle. The Holy Roman Empire's eagle is on gold and has haloes; Albania's is on red.
• Prussia: The Holy Roman Empire and Prussia both show a black eagle. The Holy Roman Empire's eagle has two haloed heads on gold; Prussia's has one crowned head on white, between thin black stripes at the top and bottom.