The Slovenian flag flutters today as uniquely and proudly as all other nations. Slovenia is recognized as a sovereign member of the European Union, the Schengen, and NATO.

The flag, as with most other flags has its own identity, significance, and history.

The flag features three equal horizontal bands of white, blue, and red, which runs from top to bottom. The flag is typically sized on width to length ratio of 1:2. There is also a logo of the Slovenian coat of arms found between the white and blue bands. The coat of arms is a shield depicting the tallest peak of Slovenia–Mount Triglav coloured in white on a blue background, with wavy lines at the bottom. It depicts the Adriatic Sea and the country’s rivers. On top of this peak are three, six pointed stars. They are arranged in “V” formation. This has been inspired from the coat of arms of the famous Slovenian dynasty of the 14th century – the Counts of Celje.

Both the tri-colour and the coat of arms have unique histories. The white-blue-red flag was first shown publicly by a group of nationalist students during the spring of 1948, in Ljubljana. The group was led by the famous activist Lovro Toman. This move, though supposed to be anti-national at that time for the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, which Slovenia was then a part of, was still tolerated and recognized by the Austrian government. This tricolour, though being a symbol of revolution and still accepted, encouraged the Slovenes with the idea of a united Slovenia.

Similarly, the Slovenian coat of arms did not exist as a distinct identity. This was true during the Austria-Hungary empire days, but also during the kingdom of Serbia. Even when it was a part of the Republic of Yugoslavia, it had a slightly different coat of arms, though quite similar to the one we know today. In fact, during Slovenian independence, the design of the coat of arms had been fiercely debated.

All throughout history, Slovenia has always been part of one empire or another. It has been one of the border regions. Only when Slovenia got its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, did it get sovereignty and a distinct flag of its own. TheSlovenian flagis quite similar to the Russian and Slovakian flags. There has been some discussion about changing it to differentiate it; but a national flag is a matter of great history, emotions, and sentiments. Quite understandably, the change has not been accepted by the people, until now.

As with Slovenians, their flag and their identity will still be unique. This will continue to be true whether they change it or not.