Countries with flags that look surprisingly alike

Jimena Gonzalez
Jul 17
6 min read

A national flag is one of the most instantly recognizable symbols of a country's unique identity.

Usually, people can identify which flag belongs to which country, especially at international sporting events, such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. However, confusion can arise if two or more countries share strikingly similar flag designs.

Let's examine them side-by-side and identify the differences among the world's most commonly confused flags.

Chad and Romania

The flags of Chad and Romania are the most similar national flags in the world. When viewed from afar, they appear almost identical. Both flags feature three vertical stripes of blue, yellow and red from left to right.

Only a very observant eye can spot subtle shade differences between them. Chad's flag uses a slightly darker shade of blue, or indigo, whereas Romania's flag uses a cobalt blue. Romania uses a bright, vivid yellow, while Chad leans slightly toward gold.

Indonesia and Monaco

The flags of Indonesia and Monaco are strikingly similar, featuring horizontal stripes of red on top and white on the bottom. Despite their similar designs, they have entirely different origins dating back centuries. The shade of red varies slightly—Indonesia uses a bright red, while Monaco uses a slightly darker shade. In addition, Indonesia's flag has a 2:3 height-to-width ratio, while Monaco's is 4:5.

Indonesia's flag originated from the banner of the Majapahit Empire (1293-1527), one of Southeast Asia's greatest kingdoms. The red and white symbolized the empire's sovereignty. On Aug. 17, 1945, the flag was officially adopted on the day Indonesia declared independence from The Netherlands.

On the other hand, Monaco's flag is based on the coat of arms of the House of Grimaldi, the ruling family since 1297. The Grimaldi coat of arms features red and white diamond-shaped patterns. In 1881, Monaco's flag was officially adopted.

New Zealand and Australia

The flags Australia and New Zealand are often confused with each other. Both feature a blue background with the Union Jack (used by British colonies and territories) in the top left corner and a representation of the Southern Cross constellation.

Australia has six pointed stars (five Southern Cross plus one large Commonwealth star), while New Zealand has only four. A key difference lies in the stars: Australia's stars are white with seven points, whereas New Zealand's are red with white borders and have five points.

In addition, the shade of blue varies slightly. Australia uses a darker navy blue and New Zealand uses a royal blue.

Ireland and Côte d'Ivoire

Ireland and Côte d'Ivoire's flags are essentially mirror images of each other. Both feature three vertical stripes of green, white and orange, but in reversed order. Ireland's order is green-white-orange (left to right), while Côte d'Ivoire's is orange-white-green. This arrangement has caused frequent mix-ups at international events.

In addition, the ratio of the two flags are different. Ireland's flag has a 1:2 ratio, while Côte d'Ivoire's is 2:3. The orange on Ireland's flag represents the Protestant community, whereas Côte d'Ivoire's orange represents the northern savanna landscape. White represents peace in both flags.

The Netherlands and Luxembourg

The flags of The Netherlands and Luxembourg are easy to confuse because they both feature three horizontal stripes of red, white and blue. Despite being neighboring countries, the flag designs are purely coincidental.

The key difference lies in the shade of blue and the proportions of the flags. Luxembourg's flag is slightly longer with a 3:5 ratio, compared to The Netherlands' 2:3. In addtion, Luxembourg uses a lighter shade of blue, while The Netherlands uses a darker cobalt blue.

Russia, Slovenia and Slovakia

Russia, Slovenia and Slovakia all have flags with white, blue and red horizontal stripes in the same order. Without their distinct coat of arms, Slovenia and Slovakia's flags would be similar to Russia's flag.

The shades of red and blue vary slightly between the three flags. Moreover, proportions differ among the three flags: Russia uses a 2:3 ratio, Slovenia 1:2 and Slovakia 2:3.

Slovenia's coat of arms features Mount Triglav with three stars in the upper left corner, while Slovakia's coat of arms, consisting of a double cross on three hills, is positioned on the left side of its flag.

Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela

Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela share flags with yellow, blue and red horizontal stripes arranged in the exact same order, and this is not coincidental. Around 1801, Venezuelan revolutionary Francisco de Miranda designed the original yellow-blue-red tricolor flag. That design was adopted by Gran Colombia (1819-1831), a republic uniting present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Panama under Simon Bolivar.

Upon the dissolution of Gran Colombia, each successor state kept the original tricolor design with modifications. Colombia and Ecuador's yellow stripe is double the width of the other stripes. Ecuador's flag features a coat of arms added to the center. Venezuela's stripes are equal in proportion and features an arc of eight stars in the center.

Norway and Iceland

Norway and Iceland's flags are essentially color-reversed versions of each other. That is because both flags feature the Nordic Cross design, which originated with Denmark's Dannebrog, the Danish national flag and oldest flag in continuous use.

Norway's red represents bravery and hardiness, and Iceland's blue represents the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. All five Nordic countries---Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland---feature the Nordic Cross design on their flags.

Senegal, Guinea and Mali

Senegal, Guinea and Mali have nearly identical flags---each featuring three vertical stripes of green, yellow and red, which represent the Pan-African colors. This similarity is no coincidence, as Senegal and Mali were once a single nation.

Senegal and French Sudan (present-day Mali) formed the Mali Federation in 1959, creating a shared flag with green-yellow-red and a black human figure in the center. When the federation dissolved in 1960, both countries retained the tricolor. Mali removed the human figure for religious reasons. Senegal replaced the figure with a green star to differentiate its flag.

The shades of green, yellow and red vary slightly between the three flags. In addition, the only distinction is the green star featured in the center of Senegal's yellow stripe.

Guinea's flag uses the same colors in reverse order (red-yellow-green), which adds to the West African flag confusion.

Italy and Mexico

Italy and Mexico's flags are similar, both featuring three vertical stripes of green, white and red arranged in the same order.

The key difference is Mexico's coat of arms, which features an eagle standing on a cactus, devouring a serpent.

Both flags have different proportions: Italy's ratio is 2:3, while Mexico's is 4:7. In addition, Italy uses brighter and lighter shades of green and red, whereas Mexico uses darker shades of the two colors.

Bahrain and Qatar

Qatar and Bahrain's flags feature a white section on the left separated by a colored section on the right by a zigzag line. Both flags reflect the two countries' shared heritage as Gulf Arab states with maritime traditions.

The key differences lie in the number of serrations, as well as in the color. Qatar's flag has a maroon shade with nine serrated edges, whereas Bahrain has a bright red shade with five serrated edges. Qatar's flag is noticeably longer, with a 11:28 ratio. Bahrain's flag ratio is 3:5.

Turkey and Tunisia

Turkey and Tunisia's flags also share similarities. Both feature a crescent and star on a red background, which derive from the Ottoman Empire's flag tradition.

Tunisia's crescent and star are enclosed in a white disc, whereas Turkey's are directly on the red background. Turkey's crescent is elongated, while Tunisia's is rounder and thicker. In addition, Tunisia's star is positioned directly inside the crescent.

Tajikistan and Hungary

The flags of Tajikistan and Hungary not only feature similar colors arranged in the same sequence, but they also share a 1:2 proportion. Tajikistan has a golden crown with an arc of seven golden stars. However, Tajikistan's middle white stripe is wider than the red and green stripes. In addition, the shades of red, white and green differ slightly between the two flags.

Cuba and Puerto Rico

The flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico are basically mirror images with reversed colors, and this is not a coincidence. Puerto Rico's flag was intentionally designed as the color-inverse of Cuba's flag because both flags were designed by Puerto Rican and Cuban revolutionaries fighting for independence from Spain.

Both flags have alternating stripes (three colored and two white) with an equilateral triangle on the left side with a white five-pointed star in the middle.

El Salvador and Nicaragua

The flags of Nicaragua and El Salvador share similarities due to their cultural connections and shared history as a larger political entity. These countries were once part of the United Provinces of Central America (or the Federal Republic of Central America).

Each flags consists of three horizontal stripes of blue and white, with two blue stripes on the top and bottom and a white stripe in the center. Moreover, each flag has distinctive coats of arms that symbolize the individuality of each country.

El Salvador features a triangular coat of arms that features five volcanoes rising from a sea, topped a rainbow and a Phrygian cap. Five flags drape around the sides of the triangle and a laurel wreath completely surrounds the flags and triangle. The text reads, "República de El Salvador en la America Central." Nicaragua also features a triangular coat of arms, with five green volcanoes rise out of two oceans (Atlantic and Pacific) and a rainbow and Phrygian cap sitting in the center of the triangle. The text "República de Nicaragua --- America Central" is inscribed in gold letters, forming a perfect circle around the triangle.

As an added bonus, the flag of Honduras (not pictured) also features three horizontal stripes of blue and white. However, the center of the white stripe has the coat of arms, which features five blue stars arranged in an "H" pattern.