Last modified: 2016-02-27 by rob raeside
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Courtesy of Jos Poels the text of the decree (translated from the French) which established 12 stars for Valais, and the exact
date of the Constitution which set the number at 13 as they are today:
LAW ON THE SEAL OF THE REPUBLIC
4 September 1802.
The parliament?
("diete") of the Republic
After considering the findings of the
Commission on the Constitution regarding the seal to be adopted by the
Republic, (hereby) orders:
The colours of the Republic are white
and red; on this it will have twelve (12) stars (carrying 13 by the
Constitution of 12 May 1815) , and the legend SIGILLUM REIPUBLICAE VALLESIAE
. The seals of the different authorities will carry the name of their office
on the bottom.
Given in the Parliament at Sion, during their session of 4
September 1802.
The President of the Parliament: Stockalper
The
secretaries of the Parliament: Tousard d' Olbec, Augustini
The Council of
State agreed etc., signed and sealed, 7 September 1802.
The grand-bailiff of
the Republic; Augustini
For the Council of State:
The Secretary of
State: Tousard d' Olbec
Christopher Southworth, 30 July 2005
The text of that law can also be found on the official website of the Valais, at
the page:
http://www.vs.ch/public/public_lois/fr/Pdf/111.1.pdf (French version)
Pascal Vagnat, 1 August 2005
Quoting Whitney
Smith (1975) ("Flags Through the Ages
and Across the World"), pp. 194-195:
"In 1795, however, the star
(particularly the five-pointed variety which Americans soon made their standard
form) was extremely rare: the city flag of Norden, Germany, the cantonal banner
of Valais, Switzerland, and a few military colors were virtually the only
examples of its usage in the world."
Ivan Sache, 17 July 2010
image
by António Martins
From 1498-1628 there were six stars in the arms.
António Martins, 25 October 1998
image
by Tomislav Todorovic, 2 January 2016
image
by Tomislav Todorovic, 2 January 2016
Simple rectangular cantonal flag, as shown in Kannik (1956).
Ole Andersen, 4 August 2002
Flaggen, Knatterfahnen and Livery Colours |
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Flaggen are vertically hoisted from a crossbar in the manner of gonfanon, in ratio of about 2:9, with a swallowtail that indents about 2 units. The chief, or hoist (square part) usually incorporates the design from the coat of arms - not from the flag. The fly part is always divided lengthwise, usually in a bicolour, triband or tricolour pattern (except Schwyz which is monocolour, and Glarus which has four stripes of unequal width). The colours chosen for the fly end are usually the main colours of the coat of arms, but the choice is not always straight forward.
Knatterfahnen are similar to Flaggen, but hoisted from the long side and have no swallow tail. They normally show the national, cantonal or communal flag in their chiefs.
Željko Heimer, 16 July 2000