The Flag of the German Empire

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 15, 9 April 1903, Page 15

The Flag of the German Empire

The story of how the flag of tne German Empire got its colors is worth telling. In 1152 the powerful Barbarossa was crowned in the Cathedral of Frankfort. In order to do the new sovereign honor, the entire distance over which he passed from his palace to the place of crowning was covered with a bright carpet of red, black, and gold. After all was over this carpet was given to the people, who cut it up into small pieces, which did duty as flags as long as the festivities lasted. The colors of the carpet remained those of the nation until Napoleon's victorious hosts tore down all flags but his own. When the Germans regained their former ascendency, the question as to the arrangement of thedr flag came up: Which- color should have the upper or honorable place ? Some one said : ' Powder is black, blood is red, fire is golden.' And then the Kaiser answered : ' From night, through blood, to light.' And he arranged the colors as they are at present.