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Revision as of 09:56, 9 March 2016 by Sideshow Bob(talk | contribs)(→Military flags: rewritten, removed a nationalist fairy tale theory from a marginal author's book on Serbian Orthodox Church)
Blue with the national flag in as its canton, occupying 2/5 of its width and 1/2 of its length with a white anchor interlaced with three lines representing the surface of the water in the right side of the flag.
Red-bluish-white with equal width, with "bluish" (plavetna) meaning light-blue. Ratio 3:2. To differ from the flag of Serbia which was identical, the only official state flag, according to the first 1905 Constitution of the Princedom of Montenegro. Created after mythically the blue in the tricolor faded in the light of the sun, so Nicholas adopted it. Used temporarily in the fascist WWII Montenegrin State (officially Kingdom).
1876–1905
National Flag of Montenegro
Flag used on many different occasions throughout the existence of Montenegro to the present, recognized state flag until the one sanctioned by the 1905 Constitution. Mass-used by the Montenegrins since the 1880s. The Slavic tricolor versions proposed by Prince Danilo (based on the French liberal flag) were finally stabilized by adopting the Serbian tricolor in 1859. The flag was temporary used by Montenegrin institutions after multiparliamentarism in 1991, until the old flag was restored in 1993.
Tricolor with the Cyrillic cypher НІ (i.e. NI) of Prince Nicholas I topped with a golden crown in the center. Because the owners as well as the crew of Montenegro's Ulcinj cruisers were Muslims, Nikola changed the flag not to offend Islam
1881–1916
Civil ensign
Version of the Civil Ensign that was predominantly used. Usage extended beyond primary purpose to even of that of the National flag.
late 1880-early 1881
Civil ensign
Tricolor flag with the cross from the war flag (krstaš-barjak) with Nicholas' initials set in canton; stripes based upon domestic national flag.
early 1880-late 1880
Civil ensign
Horizontally divided red-white-red with the cross from the war flag (krstaš-barjak) with Nicholas' initials set in canton; based on the naval flag of Austro-Hungary according to the Dalmatian marine codelines sanctioned by the 1878 Congress of Berlin.
1878–1880
Naval ensign (unofficial)
White flag with a red St George's Cross. Inspired by the British Naval Ensign back from the 1814 British navy's takeover of the port of Kotor during the war between the Montenegrins and the French.
Red with a double-headed eagle with Nicholas' initials and the biblical lion below; based upon the Alaj-barjak from Danil I's era. After Nicholas' martial reforms since 1871 he created a war flag for himself signifying the supreme command over the Montenegrin Army. Used by the World War II Axis puppet Montenegrin state.
after 1861
War Flag of Prince Nikola I
Museum kept version
after 1871
Brigade Battle Stag
Red with a double-headed eagle with Nicholas' initials and the biblical lion below; based upon Nicholas' War Flag. After Nicholas' martial reforms since 1871 he created a battle stag for a Brigade, the largest Montenegrin military unit in the Montenegrin Army. Better quality materials than the Battalion Stag.
after 1871
Battalion Battle Stag
Red with a double-headed eagle with Nicholas' initials and the biblical lion below; based upon Nicholas' war flag. After Nicholas' martial reforms since 1871 he created a war flag for a Battalion, a military unit composed by a corresponding Montenegrin clan.
ca 1876
War stag of Nicholas I Petrovic
Red with the krstaš-barjak with Nicholas' initials in it and border. Used at the Battle of Vučji Do.
reign of Prince Danilo Petrovic
War Stag of Prince Danilo Petrovic
Alaj-barjak of Prince Danilo, signifying the supreme command over the Montenegrin armed forces. Introduced by Prince Danil during his martial reforms. Used at the Battle of Grahovac.
reign of Prince Danilo Petrovic
Guard Battle Stag in Prince Danil's Army
Flag signifying a unit of 1,000 men; red field with the double-headed eagle and Prince Danil I's initials in it. Introduced by Prince Danil during his martial reforms.
reign of Prince Danilo Petrovic
Centurian Battle Stag in Prince Danil's Army
Flag signifying a unit of 100 men; red field with the traditional Montenegrin Cross of Saint George and Danil I's initials in it. Introduced by Prince Danil during his martial reforms. Based upon the old tribal Montenegrin flag.
White banner with a red border, worn on a swear with a golden cross on top of it. Different from the Metropolitan flag to represent sacral rather than spiritual power it left out the cross. The cross was removed to symbolize secular rule.[citation needed]
while the Petrovic-Njegos family held the seat of Cetinje Metropolitans
Orthodox red cross in a white field with a red border. Represents the highly Christian virtue of subjected peoples and the desire to fight against invading Islam. Used by the Serbian Army at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 and after the defeat brought to Montenegro. Adopted in during the Great Turkish War at the end of the 17th century.[citation needed]