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Flag symbols

167 free symbols for flags and banners: stars, crescents, suns, crosses, crowns, anchors and more. Search, download any as SVG, or put it straight onto a flag.

167 symbols

Choosing a symbol that works on a flag

A flag is seen from far away, moving, often at the size of a thumbnail. Symbols that work are bold silhouettes with no fine detail: the maple leaf of Canada, the red disc of Japan, the crescent and star used across much of the Muslim world. The North American Vexillological Association’s guide Good Flag, Bad Flag puts it simply: use meaningful symbolism, and keep it simple enough for a child to draw from memory.

Put a single symbol in the centre or in the upper hoist corner (the canton), and make it contrast strongly with the field behind it. For more advice, read how to design a flag; for what colours usually stand for, see flag colour meanings.

Questions

What symbols are used on flags?

The most common charges on national flags are stars, crescents, suns, crosses and coats of arms. Stars alone appear on dozens of national flags, from the single star of Vietnam to the fifty of the United States. Simpler shapes survive better at a distance, which is why most well-regarded flags use one bold symbol rather than a detailed seal.

Can I use these symbols in my own flag or project?

Yes. Every symbol here is a simple geometric shape drawn in code for VexilForge. Download the SVG for any use, including commercial projects, without attribution.

How do I put a symbol on a flag?

Press “Use on a flag” under any symbol. It opens the flag maker with that symbol already placed in the centre of a plain field, ready to recolour, resize and drag.

What does a star mean on a flag?

There is no single meaning. Stars often stand for states or provinces (the United States, Brazil, Australia), unity, or ideals such as hope and independence. Always check the official description of the specific flag.