Schleswig-Holstein

The flag of Schleswig-Holstein displays the state coat of arms on a blue, white, and red horizontal tricolor. The shield is divided per fess (horizontally split): the upper half shows two blue lions passant on gold for the Duchy of Schleswig, while the lower half bears a white nettle leaf on red for the County of Holstein. The two Schleswig lions are of Danish origin, reflecting the region's centuries-long connection to the Danish crown, while Holstein's nettle leaf is a uniquely northern German charge. The blue-white-red tricolor echoes the disputed heritage of this border region between Germany and Denmark.