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A national flag is one of the almost instantly recognizable symbols of a country'south identity. Usually people can tell which flag belongs to which country, especially given the prominence of flags at international sporting events, such as the World Loving cup and the Olympics. Sometimes, however, defoliation can ascend when 2 or more flags closely resemble each other. Here are nine sets of flags that exhibit varying degrees of similarity.

Chad and Romania

Chad, flag of; Romania, flag ofEncyclopedia Britannica

None of the world's national flags are every bit closely matched to each other as these two. Their design and size are almost identical, and only a close examination reveals slight shade differences between the blue, yellow, and red vertical stripes. The 2 came from totally different backgrounds. The Romanian flag dates from 1861, based on earlier versions with horizontal stripes. The flag of Chad was first hoisted in 1959 after the country had achieved independence from France. Its original design had a dark-green stripe, but it too closely resembled the flag of Mali, and then the blue stripe was substituted. Principality of andorra has a similar flag as well, but information technology is distinguished by its centrally placed coat of artillery.
Senegal and Mali

Senegal, flag of; Mali, flag ofEncyclopedia Britannica

These 2 flags share the same dimensions and basic dark-green-xanthous-reddish pattern of the vertical stripes, although there are slight shade differences in the colors. In addition, Senegal's flag is distinguished by its green star in the primal stripe. Guinea as well has a similar flag, although its stripes are reversed, red-yellowish-green.
Indonesia and Monaco

Indonesia, flag of; Monaco, flag ofEncyclopedia Britannica

The flags for these ii countries are virtually identical—ii horizontal stripes, cherry-red over white—but Indonesia's is longer. Both flags engagement back hundreds of years. Monaco'due south flag is based on the heraldic colors in the shield of the Monegasque princely artillery, and the flag of Indonesia dates back to its association with the Majapahit empire. Likewise similar to these ii is the flag of Poland, although its stripes are reversed, white over red.
New Zealand and Australia

New Zealand, flag of; Commonwealth of australia, flag ofEncyclopedia Britannica

Both flags are based on the British Blue Ensign (blue field with a Marriage Jack in the canton, or elevation inner corner) and characteristic a stylized version of the Southern Cross constellation. Nonetheless, they differ in several ways: the design of the constellation (five white 7-pointed stars for Australia, four red-and-white five-pointed stars for New Zealand); the add-on of a sixth, larger, "republic" star on the Australian flag; and shade differences in the blues and reds. Nonetheless, the design similarities are one of the reasons why New Zealanders have considered replacing their flag.
Republic of ireland and Côte d'Ivoire

Ireland, flag of; Côte d'Ivoire, flag ofEncyclopedia Britannica

The two flags are somewhat less alike than those mentioned above, but their shared design of green, white, and orange vertical stripes can be confusing. The difference is that the green stripe on the Irish flag is on the hoist side (part of the flag closest to the flagpole).
Norway and Iceland

Norway, flag of; Iceland, flag ofEncyclopedia Brtiannica

The flag for each of these countries boasts an identical design but with the colors reversed. Both have their origins in the Danish flag, with its red field and white Scandinavian Cross. The Norwegian flag has a ruddy field with a white-bordered blue cantankerous, while Iceland's has a blue field with a white-bordered red cross.
Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia

Venezuela, flag of; Ecuador, flag of; Republic of colombia, flag ofEncyclopedia Britannica

A flag of unequal yellow, bluish, and red horizontal stripes was adopted by the new country of Gran Colombia in 1822. Although that country dissolved in 1830, the succeeding states of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela incorporated that flag'south tricolor design into their respective flags. Those of Republic of colombia and Ecuador retain the larger yellow stripe, while that of Venezuela has stripes of equal size. The Venezuelan flag is also distinguished by an arc of stars in its centre and by the national coat of artillery in the upper hoist corner. The Ecuadorian flag also depicts the country's coat of artillery, though in its middle.
Luxembourg and the netherlands

Luxembourg, flag of; Netherlands, flag of theEncyclopedia Britannica

The Dutch began using a red, white, and bluish horizontally striped flag in the mid-17th century, the red being a substitution for the original orangish stripe. This flag became the inspiration for the vertically striped French Tricolor after the French Revolution in 1789. Although Grand duchy of luxembourg lies close to the Netherlands, its flag was non derived from the Dutch flag simply was developed independently. Grand duchy of luxembourg'south flag differs from the Dutch in being slightly longer and using a unlike shade of blue.
Slovenia, Russia, and Slovakia

Slovenia, flag of; Russian federation, flag of; Slovakia, flag ofEncyclopedia Britannica

The white-blue-crimson horizontally striped Russian flag dates to the end of the 17th century and was modeled on the Dutch tricolor. Information technology, in turn, inspired the flag design for many countries of eastern and southern Europe. The 2 flags most closely resembling the Russian standard are those of Slovakia and Slovenia, which differ mainly in being longer than the Russian flag and incorporating their respective land'south coat of arms into the flag design. Flags that are variations on the Russian model include those of Croatia and Serbia, which both use a red-blue-white horizontal stripe pattern.