Saxony

The flag of Saxony (Freistaat Sachsen) features the state coat of arms on a white-over-green horizontal bicolor. The arms display the distinctive Saxon crown atop a shield bearing the famous Sachsenraute — a black and gold diagonal stripe pattern (barry of ten in bend sable and or). This striking diagonal barry pattern originated with the Ascanian dynasty and has been associated with Saxony since the 12th century. The green and white colors have represented Saxony since the House of Wettin came to power in the 15th century. Like Bavaria and Thuringia, Saxony styles itself as a 'Freistaat' (Free State).