The Switzerland’s national flag is a red square, which is commonly misconception as a rectangle, with a white simple cross on it, whose arms do not reach the borders.

Until 1890 the arms of the white cross had the same width as their length, but then it was decided that they should be one sixth longer than wide, and now the ratio is 7:6.

The white cross has been used as the field sign of the Old Swiss Confederacy since its formation in the late 13th. The symbolism was described by the Swiss Federal Council in 1889 as representing:

At the same the Christian cross symbol and the field sign of the Old Confederacy.

As a national ensign, it was first used in 1800 during the Hundred Days by general Niklaus Franz von Bachmann, and as regimental flag of all cantonal troops from 1841. The federal coat of arms was defined in 1815 for the Restored Confederacy as the white-on-red Swiss cross in a heraldic shield.

The current design was used together with a cross composed of five squares until 1889, when its dimensions were officially set.

It is commonly shown as a 3:2 rectangle.

All about squares

The Switzerland flag can be easily divided in 20 squares. 5 white and the other 15 in red.

And remember, the Swiss are always on time