Switzerland And The Vatican, The Only Countries With Square Flags

What do two countries like Switzerland and the Vatican have in common? Many more things than we imagine. And among them, being the only two states with a perfectly square-shaped flag. Do you know their flags? If not, here we are going to talk about them and you will see that it is a good way to start learning about the history and curiosities of these two countries.

Differences between Switzerland and the Vatican

A priori, Switzerland and the Vatican do not have much in common. One is a country in the center of Europe, surrounded by mountains and where the most worshiped god is money, as can be deduced from the large number of banks that exist there.

Meanwhile, the Vatican City is a tiny part in the heart of Rome, it is the smallest country in the world and there are the highest organs of power of the Catholic religion. Those are the most obvious differences, but behind that there are elements that unite them.

Two square flags

If one stops to look at the flags of the world’s countries in an encyclopedia, one sees that the vast majority are rectangular in shape, wider than they are tall. But there are three exceptions. One of them corresponds to Nepal, the country of trekking at the foot of the highest mountains in the world. Its flag is the most unique of all, since it is two overlapping triangles.

And in addition to the Nepalese flag, there are those of the countries that concern us here: Switzerland and the Vatican, both square, that is, as tall as they are wide. Of course, its similarity ends in the external format, since its interior is very different from each other.

The flag of Switzerland

The flag of Switzerland is very simple. It consists of a red square in the background and on it a Greek cross, that is, with equal arms, white in the center. A form that dates back to the fourteenth century and that would correspond to the insignia that was used in one of its historic cantons: that of Schwyz.

It should be remembered that another name for Switzerland is the Helvetic Confederation, since it is the sum of a set of cantons with different laws, customs and even languages.

The flag of Vatican City

This diversity within the Papal State is unthinkable, since in its area of ​​less than half a square kilometer it is impossible for there to be such differences. However, the shape of the flag does unite Switzerland and the Vatican, since it is also square here, although with a slightly more complex interior.

Its square surface is divided vertically into two equal parts, one white and one yellow. The white area serves as a background to better see the coat of arms of the Vatican City.

Switzerland and the Vatican: two countries more warlike than it seems

Switzerland has been a neutral country since the 19th century, and a large part of its economic and social development has been based on not having entered into armed conflicts, despite the fact that bloody wars have been fought in its environment, such as the First and Second World Wars. . So it may seem to us that it has always been like this, a peaceful country, but it would be a mistake.

Another curious element that unites Switzerland and the Vatican is that the ‘police’ who have been protecting the pope for a long time is his Swiss guard. And because? Because historically the most brave and courageous mercenaries came out of the Swiss cantons, and that is why they went to work for the High Pontiff and his court.

For all these reasons, we have to think that there is a warrior character among the Swiss. A country that, on the other hand, always defended its independence with blood.

Follow the paradox

And this brings us to another question, why did the pope need such a fierce guard? Well, because the Papal States today are a small country, concerned above all with religious and faith matters, but it was not always like that. Centuries ago it had many dominions beyond the beautiful St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican and had its armies that went out to conquer new lands.

In other words, the Vatican has not always been such a spiritual place or a great patron of art. However, and fortunately, today when we travel here what amazes us are the incredible works of Michelangelo or Raphael. As when traveling to Switzerland, we see traces of its history with its hard battles included, but what strikes us the most are its spectacular alpine landscapes.