Berlin
The flag of Berlin displays a black bear walking on a white background, flanked by two red horizontal stripes at the top and bottom. The Berlin Bear (Berliner Bär) has been the city's heraldic symbol since at least 1280 and derives from a canting reference to the city's name — 'Bär' meaning bear in German. The bear is shown in profile, walking to the left (dexter in heraldry), with red claws and tongue. The red and white stripes reference the Margraviate of Brandenburg's colors. Berlin is simultaneously a city and a federal state (Stadtstaat), and this flag serves both municipal and state functions.
Berlin's bear symbol is so beloved that the city maintains a tradition of painting and displaying decorated bear statues throughout public spaces, known as 'Buddy Bears.'
Adopted: 1954
