Flag, anthem and Helvetia

The Swiss flag is red with a white cross in the middle. The arms of the cross are the same length and do not touch the edge. The shape is special: the national flag is square. Only a few countries have a square flag.

The flag is easy to confuse with others. The Red Cross is the reverse: a red cross on a white background. The emblem honours Switzerland. Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, was Swiss. The flag of Denmark is rectangular, and its cross is shifted to one side. The coat of arms of the canton of Schwyz is completely red with a small white cross in the upper corner.

The national anthem is called the «Swiss Psalm» (Schweizerpsalm). A psalm is a religious song. The song was written in 1841. Since 1981 it has officially been Switzerland's anthem. The text exists in all four national languages. You hear the anthem, for example, on 1 August, at official celebrations and at sports events when Swiss athletes win.

Helvetia is an invented female figure. She is an image that stands for the whole of Switzerland. This is called an allegory. Helvetia carries a spear and a shield with the Swiss cross. She can be seen on the 50-centime, 1-franc and 2-franc coins.

Memory aid: Swiss flag: white cross on red, square. Red Cross: exactly the reverse.