Flag of the Red Cross

What the flag looks like

A red cross with arms of equal length in the center of a white field.

What it means

The emblem reverses the colors of Switzerland's flag in honor of the country where the movement was founded; it marks people and places protected in war.

How to remember it

The Red Cross is Switzerland turned inside out: a red cross on white instead of Switzerland's white cross on a square red flag.

Fun facts

• The ICRC was founded in Geneva after Henry Dunant saw the wounded left on the battlefield of Solferino in 1859.
• The ICRC has won the Nobel Peace Prize three times, in 1917, 1944 and 1963.

Red Cross at a glance

Founded

1863

Emblem recognized

1864

Headquarters

Geneva

Headquarters

Geneva

Region

Founded 1863

Flag adopted

1864

Flags often confused with the Red Cross

• Switzerland: Switzerland and the Red Cross use the same cross in reversed colors. Switzerland is a white cross on a square red flag; the Red Cross is a red cross on a white field.
• Red Crystal: The Red Crystal and the Red Cross are both a single red emblem on white. The Red Cross is a solid cross; the Red Crystal is a hollow diamond-shaped frame.