Red Cross Flag (GIF)

The International Red Cross flag consists of a bold red cross placed at the center of a white field, forming one of the most widely recognized symbols in the world. The simple design represents neutrality, medical assistance, and humanitarian protection during times of war and crisis. The emblem was officially approved in Geneva in 1863 as part of the founding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Although the symbol resembles the Saint George’s Cross used on the flags of England and several other regions, the two are not related. Unlike the Saint George’s Cross, which extends to the edges of a flag, the red cross on the Red Cross flag remains centered and does not touch the borders. To avoid any religious association, it was officially promoted in 1906 that the design was created by reversing the colors of the Swiss flag, honoring Switzerland’s role in establishing international humanitarian standards.

The Red Cross flag is used to mark medical personnel, hospitals, ambulances, and humanitarian facilities that must be protected under international humanitarian law. It represents the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the worldwide network of national Red Cross societies, which provide neutral and impartial assistance to victims of armed conflict and natural disasters. The emblem signals that those displaying it are engaged exclusively in humanitarian work and must not be targeted. In 1899, the Hague Convention extended the use of the Red Cross symbol to naval operations, requiring hospital ships to fly the Red Cross flag alongside their national flag to identify themselves as protected medical vessels. Today, the Red Cross organization continues to deliver emergency relief, medical care, disaster response, and support for vulnerable populations across the globe, guided by principles of humanity, neutrality, and independence.

Native names:

• The Red Cross flag (French: Le drapeau de la Croix-Rouge; Spanish: La bandera de la Cruz Roja; German: Die Flagge des Roten Kreuzes; Portuguese: A bandeira da Cruz Vermelha; Italian: La bandiera della Croce Rossa; Russian: Флаг Красного Креста), GIF

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Red_Cross_and_Red_Crescent_Movement