Can You Identify These Flags in Black and White?

By: Jaclyn G. Lavine
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can You Identify These Flags in Black and White?
Image: bjdlzx/E+/gettyimages

About This Quiz

Flags were initially used during warfare, as field signs, representative of a specific army. The oldest flag is the flag of Scottland, which has been in continuous use since 832 AD. Whereas, the first national flag was most likely the Union Jack, adopted by the UK in 1801 but in use since 1603. As nationalism sentiment became popular, many countries began choosing flags to illustrate pride in their country. In 1777, the United States of America adopted a national flag as did the French in the 1790s. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, many European countries began adopting national flags. Having a national flag became a sign of independence, unity, and nationalism. Flags are also frequently representative of a what a country stood for, their religion, and their history. Flags come in different colors and shapes. Some flags just use color while others include emblems or coat of arms, others use both. Gold, white, black, red, green, blue, and yellow are among the most popular color choices for flags. Today, there are 193 official national flags. What makes many of the flags so difficult to identify is the fact that a lot of them look so similar! Luckily, at the very least, each flag use's a different combination of colors. Imagine having to identify a list of 40 national flags based on a black-and-white image. Are you up for the challenge? Then take this quiz and find out if you can successfully identify these flags in black-and-white!

Mexico
YangYin/E+/gettyimages
To which country does this flag belong to?
Brazil
Mexico
Russia
Germany
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The colors of the Mexican flag are green, white, and red, but you can't see that in this black and white image. What stands out, however, is the national coat of arms at the center. The coat of arms stands for the Aztec legend of the eagle, sitting atop a cactus while eating a serpent, marking the founding of their city, Tenochtitlan.

America
Jung-PangWu/Moment/gettyimages
Which country corresponds to this image
Netherlands
Serbia
America
Australia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The 13 stripes on the American flag stand for the original thirteen colonies, and the 50 stars represent the 50 states that make up the United States of America. The flag goes by many names, including, Old Glory and the Stars and Stripes.

Albania
KutayTanir/DigitalVision/gettyimages
What country does this flag represent?
Albania
Canada
United Kingdom
Argentina
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The background color of the flag of Albania is a bright red which represents bravery, strength, and valor. The center image is of a double-headed eagle, which represents the state.

Advertisement

Vietnam
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/gettyimages
To which country does this flag belong to?
Montenegro
Albania
Vietnam
Egypt
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Vietnam flag was first used during the uprising against French rule in 1940. On September 5, 1945, the flag was adopted to represent an independent North Vietnam and later in 1976, for all of Vietnam.

Dominican Repbulic
hazimsn/DigitalVisionVectors/gettyimages
What country does this flag represent?
Mexico
Jamica
Brazil
Dominican Republic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Like every flag, the colors of the flag of the Dominican Republic have a deeper meaning. The blue stands for liberty, the white for salvation, and the red for the blood of heroes.

Japan
Ramberg/E+/gettyimages
To which country does this flag belong to?
Belgium
China
Russia
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The background color of the flag of Japan is white. The circular symbol in the middle is red and is representative of the sun and the country's nickname, "Land of the Rising Sun."

Advertisement

Belize
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Japan
Belize
America
Pakistan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Belize was adopted on their first independence day in 19871. The Coat of Arms represents the logging industry.

Jamaica
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/gettyimages
Which country corresponds do this image?
Bangaldesh
China
Jamaica
Norway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The colors of the flag (black, green, and yellow), which you cannot see represent strength, creative, wealth, sunlight, and agricultural resources. The flag was adopted on August 6, 1962.

Brazil
andDraw/E+/gettyimages
Which country does this flag stand for?
Canada
Brazil
United Kingdom
Poland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The symbol on the Brazilian flag is of a blue disc illustrating a starry sky. The motto in the middle means "Order and Progress."

Advertisement

China
StuartDee/Photographer'sChoiceRF/gettyimages
To which country does this flag belong to?
Peru
Denmark
Columbia
China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Known as the "five-star red flag," the stars of the flag of China represent the unity of the Chinese people. The red background, which you cannot see, represents the communist revolution.

Egypt
KutayTanir/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Which country does this flag fly for?
Egypt
Chile
Argentina
Norway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The top stripe of the Egyptian flag is red, the middle white, and the bottom black. The symbol in the middle is Egypt's national emblem, the Egyptian eagle of Saladin.

Canada
Pgiam/E+/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Israel
Canada
America
Germany
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Canadian flag often called the Maple Leaf, is a red and white flag. The symbol in the middle is of a maple leaf which represents unity, tolerance, and peace.

Advertisement

New Zealand
ComstockImages/Stockbyte/gettyimages
To which country does this flag belong to?
New Zealand
Chile
Brazil
Belize
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The New Zealand flag is red, white and blue. In the top corner is the Union Jack and on the other side, four red stars with white borders. The flag was officially adopted in 1902.

United Kingdom
KutayTanir/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Vietnam
Mexico
Montengro
United Kingdom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another red, white, and blue flag, the flag of the United Kingdom is the Union, Jack. The Union Jack incorporates elements of three older national flags, the red cross of St. George for England, the white saltire of St. Andrew for Scottland, and the red saltire of St. Patrick for Ireland.

Argentina
Dphotographer/E+/gettyimages
Which country corresponds to this image?
Argentina
America
Albania
Germany
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Argentina has three bands, the first is blue, the middle is white, and the second is blue again,

Advertisement

montenegro
wellsie82/Moment/gettyimages
Which country does this flag fly for?
Greece
South Africa
Turkey
Montengro
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The border edge of the flag of Montenegro is gold while the center is red. The symbol in the middle is the coat of arms of Montenegro.

Bangladesh
Zoonar/A.Mijatovic/Zoonar/GettyImagesPlus/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Egypt
Poland
Bangladesh
United Kingdom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Bangladesh was adopted on January 17, 1972. The background is green which represents the land and the disc in the middle is red, representing the sun rising over Bengal.

Barbados
hazimsn/DigitalVisionVectors/gettyimages
Which country corresponds to this image?
Barbados
Peru
Germany
Netherlands
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Barbados has three banners. The first is a dark blue, the middle is yellow, and the last is dark blue again. The blue represents the seak and sky, and the gold represents the beaches. In the middle is the trident of Neptune.

Advertisement

Pakistan
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Costa Rica
Chile
Pakistan
Norway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The national flag of Pakistan was adopted on August 11, 1947. The majority of the flag is green, which represent Islam. The white crescent and star in the center represent progress and light.

Norway
KutayTanir/Digita/lVisiongettyimages
Which country does this flag fly for?
Costa Rica
Russia
Norway
Chile
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag or Norway is red with a blue Scandinavian cross. The flag was based off a coat arms that was used for the ruler of Norway.

Netherlands
funky-data//E+/gettyimages
Which country corresponds with this image?
Netherlands
Poland
Peru
Philippines
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The national flag of the Netherlands has three bands, the first is red, the second is white, and the last is rule. The first flag was actually orange, white, and blue, for William I of Orange. The flag was officially adopted in 1937.

Advertisement

Chile
larigan-PatriciaHamilton/MomentOpen/gettyimages
Which country is represented by this flag?
Barbados
Chile
Russia
Costa Rica
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Chile was adopted on October 18, 1817. The first band is white, and the bottom band is red. The square in the upper corner is blue with a white star in the center. The blue symbolizes the sky and ocean, the white the Andes, and the red the blood spilled over the fight for independence.

Poland
Stockbyte/St/ockbytegettyimages
What country corresponds to this image?
Argentina
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Poland just has two banners, one white and one red, both are the country's national colors. The flag was officially adopted in 1919.

Panama
Stockbyte/St/ockbyte/gettyimages
What country does this flag represent?
South Africa
France
Panama
Spain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The national flag of Panama was adopted in 1925. The stars and quarters represent the different political parties, and the white represents peace.

Advertisement

Columbia
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/gettyimages
Which country does this flag fly for?
Columbia
Germany
Turkey
Israel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Columbia is made up of three horizontal stripes. The first and the largest is yellow, the second is blue, and the last is red. Each color symbolizes something different. The yellow, riches, the blue, oceans and river, and the red, blood spilled for independence.

Peru
SteveAllen/Stockbyte/gettyimages
To which country does this flag belong do?
Peru
Cina
United Kingdom
Pakistan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Peru has three vertical banners, the first is red, the middle is white, and the last is red. Like many of flags that incorporated the color red, red symbolizes the blood spilled in the fight for independence.

Philippines
Stockbyte/Stockbyte/gettyimages
Which country is represented by this flag?
Germany
New Zealand
Egypt
Philippines
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The golden sun with eight rays on this flag represents a Philippine province. Each star represents the three main island groups.

Advertisement

Portugal
Ramberg/E+/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Mexico
Portugal
Vietnam
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The design for the flag of Portugal was adopted on June 30, 1911. The first half of the flag is green which represents hope and the second half is red which represents the the blood of the heroes who died fighting for their country.

Costa Rica
WavebreakmediaLtd/WavebreakMedia/GettyImagesPlus/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Costa RIca
Israel
Barbados
Ecuador
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Costa Rica is blue, white, and red. The flag also includes the coat of arms of Costa Rica, which was updated in 1964 and 1998.

Russia
andDraw/E+/gettyimages
Which country corresponds to this image?
Portugal
Denmar
Russia
Turkey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Russia has three horizontal banners, one white, one blue, and one red. Over history, the flag changed depending on who was in power, but in 1993 after the constitutional crisis, the current flag was fully restored.

Advertisement

Denmark
Ramberg/E+/gettyimages
Which country does this flag fly for?
Denmark
New Zealand
Albania
Spain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The colors of the flag of Denmark, which you cannot see, are red with a white Scandinavian cross. The design reportedly dated back to the Kings of Denmark in the 14th century.

Iceland
shutterstock
Which country does this flag represent?
Iceland
Ecuador
America
France
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Iceland is blue with a white-edged red Nordic cross. The flag became official on June 17th, 1944, the same day in which Iceland became a republic.

Ecuador
Fotosearch/gettyimages
Which country corresponds to this image?
Israel
Ecuador
South Africa
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The national flag of Ecuador consists of three horizontal bands. The top one, which is yellow, is double the width of the blue and red bands. The coat of arms was added to the flag in 1900.

Advertisement

Greece
ImageSource/ImageSource/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Russia
Brazil
Greece
Peru
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The national flag of Greece is commonly referred to as the "blue-white" because it's actually blue and white! The cross in the corner symbolizes Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the religion of the Greek people.

South Africa
KutayTanir/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Which country is this flag symbolic of?
South Africa
Egytpt
Panama
Japan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The relatively new national flag of Africa was adopted in 1994 and replaced the one that had was used since 1928. The new flag was created to represent the country's new democracy after the end of apartheid.

Spain
KutayTanir/DigitalVision/gettyimages
To which country does this flag belong?
Spain
Vietnam
Belize
Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Spanish flag has three horizontal stripes. The top and bottom stripes are red, and the one in the center is yellow. The emblem in the center is the naval ensign of 1785. The flag was chosen out of 12 designs by Charles III.

Advertisement

France
KutayTanir/DigitalVision/gettyimages
Which country does this image correspond to?
Philippines
New Zealand
France
Turkey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of France consists of three vertical bands, one blue, one white, and one red. The flag is known as the French Tricolour and was one of the first three-color flags ever. The tricolor bands have inspired many other national flags.

Germany
swedewah/E+/gettyimages
Which country does this flag represent?
Germany
Bangladesh
Pakistan
Barbados
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tricolor flag of Germany was clearly inspired by the French flag. The bands are black, red, and yellow, the national colors of Germany, and represent the republican democracy.

Israel
adventtr/E+/gettyimages
Which country does this flag fly for?
Peru
Canada
Albania
Israel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of Israel has three bands. The first is blue, the center is white, and the bottom is blue. The symbol in the center is the Star of David, the symbol of Jewish people.

Advertisement

Turkey
Ramberg/E+/gettyimages
Which country corresponds to this image?
Turkey
America
Vietnam
Montengro
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The flag of turkey is red with a white star and resent at its center. The flag is often called "al bayrak" (the red flag) and was inspired by the late Ottoman flag.

You Got:
/40
bjdlzx/E+/gettyimages