Language orbs

Explanation of status:
  • global: official in more countries of different continents
  • continental: official in more countries of one continent
  • national: official on national level in one country
  • subnational: official for part of nation
  • dependent: official on level of non-sovereign entity
  • recognized: protected by state
  • unofficial: not protected by state
  • sacred: used in religious context
  • constructed: obvious meaning
  • macrolanguage: continuum of more languages
Credits of flags: Inspiration of orbs:

Other pages:

Language Code Region Status Orb Related flag Comment
English en Europe W global Color: given flag
Shape: US roundel, stripe is wrapped
Explanation: US is main user of English. Colors used are also British ones.
British English en Europe W continental Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: For use in UK and Ireland (Irish saltire covers all Ireland)
Scots sco Europe W dependent
Single flag:
Color: Union Flag
Shape: Saltire
Explanation: Irish saltire makes it suitable for Ulster Scots
Scottish Gaelic gd Europe W dependent Color and shape: Given flag
Explanation: Sky, snow and forest
Irish ga Europe W national Color and shape: invented
Explanation: Prominent Irish symbol without politics. Colors are national, green for grass and blue from CoA of Ireland
Manx gv Europe W dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Triangular shape of the isle
Welsh cy Europe W dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Welsh dragon is simplified. White-green is given by Tudors.
Cornish kw Europe W recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Symbol of Saint Piran
Breton br Europe W recognized Color: given flag
Shape: single device, stripes are wrapped
Explanation: Based on traditional ermine and Kroaz Du
French fr Europe W global Color: given flag
Shape: traditional device
Explanation: Blue-freedom, white-equality, red-brotherhood. Symbol of statehood is blue - "free state" - republic. Red wraps all - universal brotherhood.
Swiss French fr Europe W subnational Colors: French flag
Shape: Swiss flag
Explanation: different symbol of statehood, same meaning of colors
Norman fr Europe W unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Nordic shape with Latin colors. Suitable for Guernésiais and Jerriais
Luxembourg French fr Europe W national Color: flag of Luxembourg
Shape: French device
Explanation: Red is detached from tricolor, as in CoA
Belgian French fr Europe W national Color: Belgian flag
Shape: French device
Explanation: colors from arms of Brabant
Walloon wa Europe W recognized Color: given flag + Belgian black
Shape: simplified rooster
Explanation: Belgium "wraps"-protects Wallonia
Frisian fy Europe W subnational Color: given flag
Shape: single device, stripe is wrapped
Explanation: Water lily leaf on sea
Dutch nl Europe W global Color: invented
Shape: stylized lion
Explanation: Red is common for Dutch, Belgian and Surinamese flags. Lion of Nassau is golden with five "limbs" (head, hands, legs). Golden star is also for Suriname.
Netherlands Dutch nl Europe W global Color: given flag
Shape: stylized lion
Explanation: for use in the Kingdom of Netherlands (including Caribbean)
Belgian Dutch nl Europe W national Color: Belgian flag
Shape: stylized lion
Explanation: Covered by general Dutch. Suitable for Flemish dialects.
Limburgish li Europe W recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: traditional device, modern colors
Luxembourgish lb Europe W national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified lion, less stripes
Explanation: Civil flag is more distinctive for people's language.
German de Europe W continental Color: German flag
Shape: Iron Cross
Explanation: Hohenstaufen colors were used on flag at Wartburg Festival. Iron Cross was Prussian and Austrian army symbol. Black is also for German eagle.
Austrian German de Europe W national Color: given flag
Shape: German device
Explanation: Iron Cross in Babenberg colors is both Austrian and German. Non-linguistic Austrian orb has stylized eagle:
Swiss German gsw Europe W subnational Color: German flag
Shape: Swiss flag
Explanation: Hohenstaufen colors come from Baden-Württemberg, where Alemannic is also spoken. Related flag is suitable for general Alemannic (including Alsatian).
Belgian German de Europe W subnational
Color and shape: given flags
Explanation: Colors are German by coincidence, Belgian colors are from Brabant, lion is from Limburg and Luxembourg
Bavarian bar Europe W unofficial Color and shape: invented
Explanation: Lozenge is from CoA of Bavaria. Red is for Austria, where the language is also spoken.
Low Saxon nds Europe W unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Flag of Noordland covers northern Germany
Dutch Low Saxon can have this:
Sorbian dsb, hsb Europe E macrolanguage Color: given flag
Shape: roundel with inner white
Explanation: unique order of pan-Slavic colors
Lower Sorbian dsb Europe E recognized Color: pan-Slavic
Shape: fess from given flag
Explanation: Blue wrap is common Slavic feature
Upper Sorbian hsb Europe E recognized Color: yellow from CoA
Shape: fess from CoA
Explanation: unique design
Kashubian csb Europe E recognized Color: given flag
Shape: black griffin on yellow
Explanation: Based on CoA of Pomerania
Silesian szl Europe E unofficial
Color: given flags
Shape: combination of stripes (Upper) and eagle (Lower Silesia)
Explanation: Simpler and preferred flag is
Polish pl Europe E national Color and shape: given flag (white eagle on red)
Explanation: Version based on roundel is
Czech cs Europe E national Color: given flag (white lion on red)
Shape: chevron changed to wrap
Explanation: Orb is suitable for general Western Slavic.
Variant flag:
Slovak sk Europe E national Color: given flag
Shape: CoA; mountains changed to wrap
Explanation: Both cross and tricolor are important
Rusyn rue Europe E recognized Color: given flag
Shape: based on bear
Explanation: Blue-yellow stripes are unnecessary. Pannonian Rusyn can have this
Ukrainian uk Europe E national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified yellow tryzub on blue
Alternative meaning: sky over wheat field
Belarusian be Europe E national bicolor
white
Color: given flags
Shape: typical fess and lot of white
Explanation: White is canting (BELArus).
Single flag could be white-red-green.
Russian ru Europe E global Color: given flag
Shape: typical symbol (five "limbs" of human, see Dutch)
Explanation: Suitable for general Eastern Slavic
Serbo-Croatian sh Europe E continental Color: given flag
Shape: roundel, based on flag
Explanation: Suitable for general Southern Slavic
Serbian sr Europe E national Color: given flag
Shape: roundel, based on CoA
Explanation: Cross combined with tricolor is unique
Montenegrin sr Europe E national Color: given flag (modern combinaton)
Shape: Serbian cross
Explanation: Actually Serbian language in Montenegro
Croatian hr Europe E national Color: given flag
Shape: CoA
Explanation: Red and White Croats united with Slavonian blue
Bosnian bs Europe E national Color and shape: given CoA with lilium bosniacum, national flower
Prefered flag:
Alternative flag:
Explanation: Orb combines territorial lily with cultural green
Slovene sl Europe E national Color: given flag
Shape: CoA
Explanation: Colors are from CoA of Carniola. Unlike it, Triglav is unifying Slovene symbol
Macedonian mk Europe E national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Sun is important Macedonian symbol, this shape is unique
Bulgarian bg Europe E national Color: given flag
Shape: White is inner (better for background)
Explanation: Pan-Slavic with blue changed
Version:
General Slavic sla Europe E macrolanguage Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Flag adopted in Prague 1848. Red is inner, as "heart"
Romanian ro Europe E continental Color: given flag
Explanation: Blue is outer as background of CoA. Differs from General Slavic in yellow, "golden eagle" - Romance symbol
Moldovan ro Europe E national Color: Romanian flag
Shape: given CoA
Explanation: Typical star for Moldova (not Moldavia!). With yellow changed to white it is orb of Transnistria
Aromanian rup Europe E unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: unity of diaspora in many states
Italian it Europe S continental
Prefered flag:
Color: House of Savoy
Shape: Stella d'Italia (actually Venus)
Explanation: Blue is Italian national color. Tricolor originated in 1797 in Cispadane Republic after Lombard green and French tricolor
Variants:
Swiss Italian it Europe W subnational Color: Italian orb
Shape: Swiss device
Explanation: Swiss cross (in true colors) covered by Italian national color
Romansh rm Europe W subnational Color and shape: given flag, based on
Version from reddit:
Friulian fur Europe S recognized Color: given flag
Shape: stylized eagle
Version from reddit:
Ladin lld Europe S recognized Color: given flag
Shape: stylized Alps
Version from reddit:
Venetian vec Europe S unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Symbol of Saint Mark
Sardinian sc Europe S recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Cross of Saint George, heads are simplified
Corsican co Europe W recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Former place of piracy. Head has different direction than Sardinian heads
Arpitan
(Franco-Provençal)
frp Europe W recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: flag is modern, probably based on Savoy and Aosta
Alternative symbol:
Occitan oc Europe S dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Cross from CoA of Toulouse. Suitable for Aranese
Catalan ca Europe S national Color: given flag
Shape: four red spots by either section
Explanation: Four bloody fingers on golden shield (several legends)
Spanish es Europe S global Color: old Spanish tricolor
Shape: from Flag of Hispanicity
Explanation: Purple is for León. Yellow circle is also for sun. Prefered flag:
Aragonese an Europe S recognized Color and shape: based on given CoA
Explanation: Cross of Ińigo Arista, related to Saint James
Prefered flag:
Basque eu Europe S dependent Color: given flag
Shape: Lauburu, traditional symbol
Explanation: lauburu is cultural, apolitical and recognizable symbol
Asturian ast Europe S recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Cross of Victory from Covadonga 722, clad in gold
Mirandese mwl Europe S recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: flag is modern, language has four spoken municipalities
Galician gl Europe S dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: single arm from Cross of Saint Andrew in traditional colors
Portuguese pt Europe S global Color: bicolor of Portugal
Shape: Order of Christ Cross
Explanation: Green is for hope, red for blood. Flag is also for Brazilian variant, which has its own orb
Latin la Europe S sacred Color: invented combination
Shape: pale from Vatican City
Explanation: Orb is older than flag, it combines Roman Empire and Vatican. Incidentally similar also to Italy
Maltese mt Europe S national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified George Cross
Explanation: Bicolor is from Knights of Malta, originally symbol of John the Baptist
Prefered flag:
Greek el Europe S continental Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: sea, purity and faith. Prefered over striped flag
Version: suitable for Ancient Greek
Cypriot Greek el Europe S national Color and shape: invented combinations
Explanation: Copper wrap for Cyprus (canting), cross from Greek orb.
Non-linguistic Cypriot orb has green for wreaths:
Albanian sq Europe E national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified eagle
Explanation: Eagle is canting in Albanian, colors are traditional
Icelandic is Europe N national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: sea, snow and lava
Faroese fo Europe N dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation:
Norwegian no Europe N national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Based on Danish flag, blue is for fjords
Bokmal nb Europe N subnational Color: given flag
Shape: lion is simplified
Explanation: Suitable for Riksmal
Nynorsk nn Europe N subnational Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: unique, yet similar to flag of Norway
Danish da Europe N national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: very old design, probably inspired by Holy Roman Empire
Swedish sv Europe N continental Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: based on CoA (yellow crowns on blue), but crowns are not suitable for orb
Finnish fi Europe N national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: snow and lakes
Sami se Europe N recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Sun and Moon in colors of folk dress
Estonian et Europe E national
Color: given flag
Shape: Finno-Ugric symbol of sun (FUSOS)
Explanation: Blue-sky, black-past suffering and forests, white-snow and peace. FUSOS is lucky symbol present in Estonian civic heraldry
Vőro vro Europe E recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Eight Vőro parishes. This flag is official.
Version: actually preferred. Suitable for general South Estonian, including Seto
Livonian liv Europe E recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation:
Latvian lv Europe E national Color: given flag
Explanation: Maroon is for blood of heroes. Circle is also for sun in CoA
Latgalian ltg Europe E recognized
Color: given flags
Shape: Latvian orb
Explanation: white gryfon surrounded by bluish
Lithuanian lt Europe E national Color and shape: CoA of Lithuania
Explanation: Vytis is removed, cross is from Saint Ladislaus of Hungary
Prefered flag:
Hungarian hu Europe E national
Color: given flag
Shape: FUSOS (see Estonian)
Explanation: FUSOS shows eight cardinal points (Finno-Ugric feature), so it is in color of land. Red and white wrap is for stripes in CoA of Hungary Version is suitable for use in Slovakia
Székely hu Europe E subnational Color: given flag
Shape: FUSOS
Explanation: Moon is removed, golden FUSOS alone is recognizable
Gagauz gag Europe E dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Wolf is Turkic ethnic symbol. Territorial flag is
Crimean Tatar crh Europe E dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Light blue is pan-Turkic, shape is typical for Crimea.
Macro-Karelian fiu Russia macrolanguage Color: given flag
Explanation: Territorial flag covers four next items. Suitable for general Finnic (forest, water and blood)
Karelian krl Russia recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: ethnic Karelian flag
Veps vep Russia recognized Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: ethnic flag
Ingrian izh Russia unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: ethnic flag
Votic vot Russia unofficial Color and shape: proposed ethnic flag
Version:
Explanation: unknown
Nenets yrk Russia dependent Color: given flag
Shape: Tyumen crown
Explanation: proposed unificational flag
Forest Nenets yrk Russia dependent Explanation: flag of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District (lowland)
Tundra Nenets yrk Russia dependent Explanation: flag of Nenets Autonomous District (highland)
Komi kv Russia dependent Color: given flag
Explanation: sky, forest and snow (same like Estonian)
Permyak Komi koi Russia dependent Color: Russian
Shape: perna (stylized mountain range)
Explanation: Newer flag is worse for orb. Both are regional.
Khanty and Mansi kca, mns Russia dependent Color: given flag
Shape: Tyumen crown
Explanation: regional flag for both similar languages
Udmurt udm Russia dependent Color: given flag
Shape: FUSOS
Explanation: earth, space, sun; resp. stability, purity, life
Mari chm Russia dependent Color: Russian
Shape: Mari cross (based on letter M)
Explanation: Regional flag suitable for both variants (mhr, mrj). Newer flag is worse.
Hill Mari mrj Russia dependent Color: given flag
Shape: shield is simplified
Explanation: low-level regional flag
Erzya myv Russia dependent Color: given flag
Explanation: ethnic flag
Moksha mdf Russia dependent Color: given flag
Shape: ethnic symbol
Explanation: Moksha+Erzya=Mordovia
Chuvash cv Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Tree of life, more recognizable than FUSOS
Tatar tt Russia dependent Color: given flag
Explanation: Islam (green) surrounded by Russia (red)
Bashkir ba Russia dependent Color: given flag
Shape: simplified seal
Explanation: regional flag
Abaza abq Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Traditional symbol (see Abkhaz)
Adyghe ady Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag (regional)
Explanation: unity of Adyghe tribes (see Kabardian)
Karachay-Balkar krc Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Caucasus is common for two peoples, as well as Turkic language (light blue). Separate Karachay flag is
Kabardian kbd Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag (ethnic)
Explanation: unity of Circassian tribes (Circassian=Kabardian+Adyghe)
Ossetian os Asia W national Color: given flag
Explanation: colors from CoA of Ossetia
Ingush inh Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: regional flag
Chechen ce Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag (without left bend)
Explanation: Islam and blood (same colors for regional and separatist flags)
Aghul agx Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: ethnic flag
Avar av Russia dependent Color: given flag
Shape: sswerdiro (ethnic symbol of eternity)
Explanation: Variant colors are black-white or red-yellow. Another orb is based on stylized mountains.
Kalmyk xal Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag (regional)
Explanation: Lotus is Buddhist symbol
Altai alt Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: regional flag (snow, water and Turkic blue)
Khakas kjh Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Green is Khakas national color. Ethnic device is stylized sun.
Tuvan tyv Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: yellow-Buddhism, white-silver, blue-sky, pall-confluence of Yenisei in Kyzyl
Buryat bxr Russia dependent Color: given flag (white is removed)
Shape: simple soyombo (see Mongolian)
Explanation: Regional flag for Mongolic language. Vertical striping is suitable for Soyot.
Evenki evn Russia dependent
Color: given flags (red sun, blue sky)
Shape: invented combination
Explanation: First flag is regional, second one is ethnic. Black is for polar night.
Sakha sah Russia dependent Color: given flag (sky, snow, courage, forest)
Shape: northern sun
Explanation: regional flag
Even eve Russia dependent Color: given flag
Explanation: ethnic flag
Chukchi ckt Russia dependent Color and shape: given flag (without tricolor)
Explanation: ocean, snow and aurora
Kazakh kk Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified sun
Explanation: Tengri blue with sun and "canting" eagle (Kazakh=free), but sun is better for orb
Older symbol:
Kyrgyz ky Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: stylized yurta
Explanation: unique symbol
Tajik tg Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified device
Explanation: Pan-Iranian colors
Turkmen tk Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: five Turkmen tribes
Explanation: maroon wrap is for carpets
Uzbek uz Asia W national Color: given flag
Explanation: sky, peace, nature, life force. Blue is also for Timur
Karakalpak kaa Asia W dependent Color: given flag
Explanation: based on Uzbek symbols, probably added Kazakh golden (Karakalpak is variant of Kazakh)
Armenian hy Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: arevakhach, symbol of eternity
Explanation: tricolor is modern, it should resemble rainbow
Azeri az Asia W national Color: given flag (Tengri, progress, Islam)
Shape: stylized Eternal Fire, also similar to rub-el-hizb
Emblem:
Georgian ka Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: Cross of Saint George
Explanation: Canting flag originated in Middle Ages
Laz and Mingrelian laz, xmf Asia W unofficial
Color: flag of Mingrelia (upper)
Shape: Borjgali (Kartvelian symbol of eternity)
Explanation: Lower flag is proposed unificational. Separate Laz flags are and (newer)
Abkhaz ab Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: stripes wrapped, star expanded
Explanation: based on roundel of Abkhazia
Hebrew he Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: Star of David
Explanation: traditional and recognizable for non-Jewish users
Yiddish yi Europe E recognized Color: given flag (from flag of Prussia)
Shape: menorah
Explanation: non-political Jewish symbol for unofficial language
Ladino lad Europe S unofficial Color: given flag (from flag of Spain)
Shape: Star of David
Explanation: recognizable combination for language of Hispanic Jews
Turkish tr Asia W continental Color: given flag
Shape: typical crescent
Explanation: Crescent is symbol of Turkey since Constantinople 1453, where moonlit mirrored in blood. Later adopted by another Muslims
Kurdish ku Asia W subnational Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Pan-Iranian colors and sun with 21 rays (Yazdani symbol)
Arabic ar Asia W national Color: given flag
Shape: roundel of Jordan
Explanation: The first pan-Arab flag, now apolitical
Persian fa Asia S continental Color: given flag
Explanation: Pan-Iranian colors adopted by Qajars (Kurdish meaning: nature, peace, blood)
Dari fa Asia S national Color: given flag of Afghanistan
Shape: Afghan roundel
Explanation: Dari is unique for Afghanistan, Pashto has another flag
Pashto ps Asia S subnational Color: given flag, proposed on YouTube
Explanation: Pan-Iranian colors (see Persian)
Version: or third Afghan roundel
Baluchi bal Asia S recognized Color: given flag
Shape: stripes wrapped
Explanation: flag of Balochistan Liberation Army
Sindhi sd Asia S subnational Color: flag of Sindh
Shape: given flag of Sindhudesh (political)
Explanation: Neither flag is good alone. Sindhudesh is simpler, but bloody red changed to Pakistani green
Panjabi pa Asia S subnational Color: given flag
Shape: stylized "five rivers"
Explanation: Better for Shahmukhi variant, but actually pan-symbol
Hindustani hi, ur Asia S global Color: given flag
Explanation: Hindu orange and Islamic green. Suitable for Fiji Hindi
Hindi hi Asia S national Color: given flag
Shape: stylized dharma wheel
Explanation: Islamic green is removed
Urdu ur Asia S continental Color: given flag of Pakistan
Shape: Islamic crescent
Explanation: Urdu speakers are mainly Muslims, also in India
Bengali bn Asia S national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: sun and jungle, non-political and suitable also for India
Tamil ta Asia S continental
Color: given flags (bicolor of Tamil Nadu, tricolor linguistic)
Shape: combination of bicolor and tricolor
Explanation: Proposed apolitical flag.
This is symbol of institution
Assamese as Asia S dependent Color and shape: given flag (princely state of Assam)
Explanation: Gorkha knives
Gujarati gu Asia S dependent Color and shape: two color stripes, purple from
Explanation: Gujarat Sultanate (red) and Rajpipla (purple) combined
Kannada kn Asia S dependent Color and shape: given flag of Karnataka
Explanation: yellow arshina and red kumkuma, traditional symbols
Kashmiri ks Asia S dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: official flag of Jammu and Kashmir
Malayalam ml Asia S dependent Color: given flag
Explanation: tricolor originated in Travancore
Marathi mr Asia S dependent Color: Hindu colors
Shape: letter M in Devanagari
Explanation: Canting symbol of Marathi in traditional colors of Maharashtra. Octagon is possibly Dravidian influence
Oriya or Asia S dependent Color: given flag
Explanation: unofficial flag of Orissa (Odisha)
Punjabi pa Asia S dependent Color: given flag
Shape: Nishan Sahib (Sikh symbol)
Explanation: Only for Gurmukhi variant
Sanskrit sa Asia S sacred Color: Hindu colors orange and red
Shape: Om, sacred syllable
Explanation: Yellow makes better contrast
Telugu te Asia S dependent Color: given flag
Shape: simplified map
Explanation: Proposed flag of Andhra Pradesh is not suitable, because state was divided. Meaning of colors is unclear.
Alternative is flag of Telangana: No flag is prefered
Bihari bh Asia S macrolanguage Color: given flag (proposed)
Shape: voided swastika, typical for Bihar
Version based on state seal :
Mizo lus Asia S dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Prefered for variants in India (e.g. Lushei)
Zomi zom Asia S macrolanguage Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Prefered for variants in Myanmar (e.g. Chin)
Burmese (Myanmar) my Asia S national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Traditional tricolor with minimal change from Lithuania
Dhivehi dv Asia S national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: boldness, prosperity, Islam
Dzongkha dz Asia S national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified dragon
Explanation: royal yellow and Buddhist orange. Roundel of Bhutan is similar
Nepali ne Asia S national Color: given flag
Shape: sun (better than moon)
Explanation: Blue-peace, red-crimson (national flower), sun-permanence
Sinhala si Asia S national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified lion
Explanation: Orange and green from flag of Sri Lanka are removed, because they symbolize another peoples
Thai th Asia E national Color: given flag
Shape: blue stripe is circled
Explanation: Red-nation, white-religion, blue-monarchy
Khmer km Asia E national Color: given flag
Shape: Angkor Wat
Explanation: Blue-liberty, red-bravery, white-intergity (or monarchy, nation and religion)
Lao lo Asia E national Color: given flag
Shape: moon against Mekong River
Explanation: Royal flag is worse, elephant is more political than moon
Vietnamese vi Asia E national Color: given flag
Shape: five-pointed star
Explanation: two Vietnamese flags combined. Democratic (former royal) stripes: yellow skin and blood. Socialist star: head and four limbs of human. Border of star also resembles stripes
Chinese zh Asia E continental Color: invented combination
Shape: Kuomintang sun
Explanation: PRC red and ROC white combined, also colors of Hong Kong and Singapore
Simplified Chinese zh Asia E continental
Color: flag of PRC
Shape: flag of Singapore
Explanation: Five stars with color and shape combined
Traditional Chinese zh Asia E continental Color and shape: Kuomintang sun (also naval jack of ROC)
Explanation: Blue sky with white sun, symbol of democratic China
Cantonese yue Asia E dependent
Color: flag of Guangzhou
Shape: flag of Hong Kong
Explanation: flower of Hong Kong is nicer, but colors of Guangzhou are used by Macau
Tibetan bo Asia E dependent Color: given flag (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)
Shape: rising sun over snowy mountains
Explanation: created in 1912 as military flag
Uyghur ug Asia E dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Turkish crescent and Tengri blue, highlighting Turkic identity in China
Zhuang za Asia E dependent Color and shape: given flag (proposed)
Explanation: traditional shape in copper color, green is for harmony
Yi (Nuosu) ii Asia E recognized Color and shape: given flag (proposed)
Explanation: based on Yi folk dresses (black with pink flowers)
Sarikoli tg Asia E recognized Color and shape: given flag (historical of Xinjiang under Shicai)
Explanation: Sarikoli is variant of Tajik spoken in Xinjiang, with center in Kashgar, where Shicai came to power. That is link between Sarikoli and Shicai flag. Orb is suitable also for Wakhi, another Iranian language in Xinjiang
Mongolian mn Asia E national Color: given flag
Shape: simplified soyombo
Explanation: Blue is for eternal sky, red for desert. Flames: past, present, future. Sun and moon: persistence of Mongolian nation
Japanese ja Asia E national Color: given flag + national color
Shape: rising sun
Explanation: Japan is easternmost country of Eurasia, "sun rises there". Blue is national imperial and sporting color
Korean ko Asia E continental Color: given flag
Shape: Taegeuk
Explanation: Black is for logograms
Tagalog tl Asia E national Color: given flag
Shape: sun inspired by Sun of May
Explanation: Blue-peace, red-courage. Triangle and stars from official flag are geographic symbols, they are removed from flag of language
Malay ms Asia E continental Color: Malay royal colors
Shape: two "kris" swords
Explanation: Given flag is political, pure bicolor is prefered. This orb covers Indonesian variant and dialects
Alternative flag:
Malaysian ms Asia E national Color: given flag
Shape: federal star, also in roundel of Malaysia
Explanation: Because of prominent yellow, orb is acceptable for use in Brunei. Flag is not prefered
Indonesian id Asia E national Color: flag of Indonesia
Shape: pentagon from roundel of Indonesia
Explanation: five principles of Pancasila
Javanese jv Asia E unofficial Color: flag of Majapahit (also naval jack of Indonesia)
Shape: after Catalan roundel
Explanation: Majapahit was Javanese-speaking empire
Sundanese su Asia E unofficial Color: flag of Pasundan (West Java)
Explanation: Non-political symbol of spoken area
Tetum tet Asia E national Color and shape: flag of East Timor
Explanation: This orb is suitable for indigenous languages of East Timor, of which Tetum is single official
Hiri Motu ho Oceania national Color: given flag
Shape: raggiana, national bird
Explanation: In 1965, this was flag of dependent PNG. Hiri Motu was prefered link language then
Tok Pisin tpi Oceania national Color: given flag
Shape: raggiana
Explanation: Flag adopted in 1971 shows traditional black-red colors. Raggiana is more recognizable than Southern Cross, its background is preserved in orb
Solomon Islands Pijin pis Oceania unofficial Color: given flag
Shape: five islands
Explanation: Blue ocean, yellow sunshine, green land
Bislama bi Oceania national Color and shape: from given flag
Explanation: Curved tusk and two ferns are for prosperity and peace. The rest is worse for orb
Fijian fj Oceania national
Color: Pacific Ocean
Shape: dove of peace, Fijian symbol since 1871
Explanation: Dove is present on current flag and given proposals. Official proposals for new flag avoid dove as ethnic Fijian symbol
Maori mi Oceania national Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Aotearoa (long white cloud) with New Zealand national black and white and Maori symbolic red of mana
Chamorro ch Oceania dependent Color and shape: given flag (wreath and stone are simplified)
Explanation: Latte stone first appeared on flag in 1972, it is symbol of Chamorro people
Marshallese mh Oceania unofficial Color: given flag (blue-ocean, white-sunrise, orange-sunset)
Shape: diagonal ray is for equator, star is for island on Northern Hemisphere
Explanation: Number of rays is decreased by half, originally for 24 electoral districts
Nauruan na Oceania unofficial Color: given flag
Shape: stripe is for equator, island is on Southern Hemisphere
Explanation: 12 points are for original tribes
Samoan sm Oceania unofficial Color: given flag (of independent Samoa)
Shape: Southern Cross is symbol of Samoa since 1949 (influenced by New Zealand)
Explanation: This can be viewed as ethnic flag. Red is for courage and possibly mana (see Maori)
Tongan to Oceania unofficial Color: after Red Ensign and blood of Christ
Shape: Christian cross is centered and wrapped
Explanation: This flag is protected against change by Constitution of Tonga
Tahitian ty Oceania dependent Color and shape: flag of Tahiti, basis for modern flag of French Polynesia
Explanation: Colors are traditional for natives
Hawaiian haw Oceania dependent Color: Kanaka Maoli flag (unofficial)
Shape: red is wrapped
Explanation: Periodic tricolor is in official flag of Hawaii (white-red-blue). These colors are native
Greenlandic kl America N dependent Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: sun and moon for polar days and nights
Haitian Creole ht America N national Color: based on flag of France
Shape: central area simplified
Explanation: White was removed from French tricolor during Revolution, later blue moved to top. White circle differs the bicolor from Liechtenstein and Philippines.
Alternative meaning: blue-blacks, red-coloreds
Papiamento pap America N dependent Color and shape: given flag (without stars)
Explanation: Flag of former Dutch Antilles, where Papiamento originated, is better than flags of respective islands. Number of islands is irrelevant
Nahuatl nah America S unofficial Color: flag of Mexico
Shape: Aztec symbol for "language"
Explanation: The word "Mexico" is from Nahuatl, so tricolor is good
Mexican Spanish es America S national Color: tricolor of Mexico (created by Agustín Iturbide, first emperor-)
Shape: Spanish device, see flag of Hispanicity
Explanation: Green-independence/hope, white-religion/purity, red-union/blood
Argentine Spanish es America S national Color: flag of Argentina (after Bourbon colors)
Shape: Hispanic cross
Explanation: Sun of May is not included, only colors are Argentine, so shape is Spanish
Peruvian Spanish es America S national Color: flag of Peru (after flamingos, or blood and peace)
Shape: Hispanic cross
Explanation: Suitable for general Andean Spanish
Chilean Spanish es America S national Color: flag of Chile (inspired by France)
Shape: CoA of Chile (basis for roundel)
Explanation: Blue-ocean, white-snow in Andes, red-fight for liberty. Possibly inspired by old Mapuche flag
Brazilian Portuguese pt America S national Color: flag of Brazil (except cross)
Shape: Order of Christ Cross (Portuguese device)
Explanation: Blue is for celestial sphere, green is for house of Bragança. Yellow for Habsburgs is removed
Canadian French fr America N subnational Color: invented combination
Shape: flag of Quebec
Explanation: Canadian French speakers are concentrated in Quebec, but they live in rest of Canada too. Red wrap is for Canada, which "covers" Quebec
Cree cr America N dependent Color: based on flag of Canada
Shape: Amerindian chief in proposed Cree flag
Explanation: Usable for general First Nations
Inuktitut iu America N dependent Color and shape: flag of Nunavut
Explanation: inuksuk and North Star are important symbols of Inuit people, regardless of borders of Nunavut
Inupiaq ik America N unofficial Color and shape: flag of Alaska
Explanation: Inupiaq is prominent indeigenous language of Alaska, the only one with orb. The asterism is important for Inupiaq people
Navajo nv America N unofficial Color and shape: flag of the Navajo Nation
Explanation: official flag is simplified
Ojibwe oj America N unofficial Color and shape: Anishinaabe eagle
Explanation: simple and recognizable Ojibwe symbol. Speakers are divided into tribes with separate symbols
Cherokee chr America N unofficial Color: flag of the Cherokee Nation
Shape: seal is simplified
Explanation: This Cherokee flag is recognizable, it has traditional colors and typical star (seven tribes)
Cheyenne chy America N unofficial Color and shape: flag of Northern Cheyenne
Explanation: Simple, recognizable, suitable as pan-Cheyenne symbol
Aymara ay America S subnational Color and shape: flag of Qulla Suyu
Explanation: Used since Inca Empire to represent Aymara, now official in Bolivia
Quechua qu America S subnational Color: based on flag of Cusco
Explanation: Flag of Cusco has seven rainbow stripes, flag with two white stripes is proposed for broader Quechua community
Guarani gn America S national Color: given flag (based on Paraguay)
Shape: Guarani national symbol
Explanation: Paraguay is home of most Guarani, standard language comes from there. Tricolor originated in 1812
Sranantongo srn America S unofficial Color: flag of Suriname
Shape: star for unity of Europeans, Africans, Amerindians, Chinese and Javanese
Explanation: Green-hope, red-love, white-justice
Avestan ae Asia S sacred Color: blue from
Shape: Faravahar, Zoroastrian figure
Explanation: Avestan was sacred language in Persia when these symbols were used. Modern Zoroastrian flag is not related to the language
Pali pi Asia S sacred
Color: flag of Buddhism
Shape: Dharma wheel
Explanation: Pali is sacred Buddhist language from India, where also Dharma wheel originates. Orb is invented combination of colors and shape, without orange (it is often replaced by another color)
Church Slavonic cu Europe E sacred Color: Pan-Slavic colors
Shape: Orthodox cross (emblem from Bulgaria
Explanation:Church Slavonic is sacred language of Orthodox Slavs, it originated among Southern Slavs
Slovakian
Church Slavonic
cu Europe E sacred Color: CoA and orb of Slovakia
Shape: cross, also used by Byzantine Catholics
Explanation: Slovak pronunciation is slightly different from mainstream. This orb can also mark Byzantine Catholic Church
Assyrian arc Asia W unofficial Color: flag of Assyrians, based on old symbols
Shape: red and blue are wrapped for orb
Explanation: Assyrian (or Eastern Aramaic) is language of Christians in Iraq. Orb is suitable also for Aramaic diaspora (four cardinal points)
Aramaic arc Asia W unofficial Color and shape: flag of Syriac Christians, with symbol of Holy Spirit (fire and wings)
Explanation: (Western) Aramaic is spoken in Syria. This orb is suitable for liturgical language
Coptic cop Africa N sacred Color: flag of Coptic Church (red moved to wrap)
Shape: Coptic cross, simpler than emblem
Explanation: Coptic language is only liturgical now, Copts speak Arabic
Berber ber Africa N macrolanguage Color and shape: pan-Berber flag
Explanation: Flag is used mainly in Algeria. Rif and Azawad have another flags
Amharic am Africa E national
Color: flag of Ethiopia
Shape: yellow star is common for Ethiopia and Amhara
Explanation: Amhara is cognate and homeland of Amharic, but it is statewide official
Tigrinya ti Africa E national
Color: flag of Eritrea
Shape: chevron is common for Eritrea and Tigray, star is also in roundel of Eritrea
Explanation: Tigray is congate, its flag is prefered, but Eritrea is more important
Oromo om Africa E unofficial Color: proposed Oromo ethnic tricolor
Shape: combining ethnic tricolor with flag of Oromia
Explanation: Both tricolors can be derived from orb
Afar aa Africa E unofficial
Color: from both flags (Afaria and Djibouti)
Shape: red moved to border of chevron, white inside it
Explanation: Afar is main spoken language of Djibouti, but it has more speakers in Afaria. Prefered is flag of Afaria without CoA
Somali so Africa E national Color and shape: given flag (originally ethnic)
Explanation: Somali nation surrounded by ocean. Color derived from United Nations
Dinka din Africa E unofficial Color: Dinka ethnic flag
Explanation: unknown, flag probably created by Jaume Ollé
Swahili sw Africa E continental Color and shape: roundel of Kenya, stripe of Tanzania
Alternative: (flag of EAC)
Explanation: Kenya-Tanzania combination is better, probably with only Kenyan colors in flag, because flag of Tanzania is unificational of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, while that of Kenya is suitable for extended Swahili territory. EAC is not related to language and Uganda is not homeland of Swahili
Kikuyu ki Africa E unofficial Color: given flag
Shape: Bantu shield
Explanation: Flag is ethnic of Kikuyu, but contains Mt Kenya, which is not prefered in orb. Without shield, the orb is same like Tatar one
Luganda lg Africa E unofficial Color: flag of Buganda
Shape: Bantu shield
Explanation: Buganda is kingdom of Ganda people inside Uganda, whose flag is not ethnic
Kinyarwanda rw Africa E national Color: given flag
Shape: sun of new start
Explanation: Sun on blue sky, gold for wealth and green for nature
Kirundi rn Africa E national Color: given flag
Shape: single star
Explanation: white-peace, green-hope, red-struggle
Chichewa ny Africa E national Color: flag of Malawi
Explanation: Pan-African colors in unique order
Bemba bem Africa S unofficial Color and shape: proposed ethnic flag
Explanation: unknown. Shown here as "Davied's wallpaper on Bemba"
Shona sn Africa S subnational Color: flag of Zimbabwe
Shape: roundel of Zimbabwe
Explanation: Shona is major language of Zimbabwe and these colors are common for Shona and Ndebele
Northern Ndebele nd Africa S subnational Color: flag of Zimbabwe
Shape: flag of ZAPU, minor political party
Explanation: I just like that flag and assigned it to minor language of Zimbabwe
Southern Ndebele nr Africa S subnational Color: flag of KwaNdebele
Explanation: It was homeland of this Ndebele variant
Sotho st Africa S national Color: flag of Lesotho, inspired by Lebowa
Shape: roundel of Lesotho
Explanation: Actually Pan-Sotho colors (see Northern Sotho)
Northern Sotho nso Africa S subnational Color: flag of Lebowa
Shape: rising sun
Explanation: sky, land, dawn of Sotho nation
Swati ss Africa S national Color: flag of Swaziland (de facto ethnic)
Shape: Bantu shield, used since 1941
Explanation: Blue-peace, yellow-wealth, red-battle, shield-protection
Tswana tn Africa S national Color: flag of Botswana (de facto ethnic)
Explanation: harmony of black and white people, blue is for water (pula)
Tsonga ts Africa S subnational Color: flags of Gazankulu and Mozambique, where Tsonga is spoken
Shape of Gazankulu: spoons in chains
Shape of Mozambique: star of internationalism
Respective variants:
Venda ve Africa S subnational Color: given flag
Shape: transformed tricolor with yellow on right
Explanation: Flag is based on flag of Transvaal, with colors typical for indigenous beadwork. "Venda" means land, so brown is canting
Xhosa xh Africa S subnational Color: flag of Transkei
Shape: flag of Ciskei
Explanation: Unificational flag is basis for orb. Both color and shape are recognizable
Zulu zu Africa S subnational Color: flag of KwaZulu (with ANC tricolor)
Shape: Bantu shield
Explanation: White is removed, tricolor occupies all background. This is the Zulu flag, ANC tricolor comes from here
Afrikaans af Africa S national Color: given flag
Shape: language monument in Paarl is simplified
Explanation: Orange-earth (karoo), cyan-sky and air, black-person. Many non-white people speak Afrikaans and black is traditional African color. Cyan is for "living zone" between person and earth, including farming (canting for Boer)
(Khoi-)San khi Africa S unofficial Color: flag of Bushmanland
Explanation: Green-nature, gold-cultivated land, black-person
Herero hz Africa S unofficial Color: flag of Hereroland
Explanation: nature, harmony and person
Oshiwambo kj, ng Africa S macrolanguage Color: given flag
Shape: possibly symbol of fortress
Explanation: Flag of Ovamboland has derivatives for Ndonga and Kwanyama
Ndonga ng Africa S unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: flag of Namibia derives from SWAPO colors, which are actually Ovambo-based
Kwanyama kj Africa S unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: flag of Angola is based on MPLA
Version: (flag proposed in 2003)
Kongo kg Africa W national Color and shape: flag of Congo-Brazzaville
Explanation: Here is Kongo stronger than Lingala. But this flag has nothing with language, it is just pan-African colors in recognizable shape
Lingala ln Africa W national Color: flag of Congo-Kinshasa
Shape: red wrap without fimbriation
Explanation: Blue-hope, red-blood, yellow-prosperity. Star is for unity and appears also in older flags for country, where Lingala is lingua franca
Luba lu Africa W subnational Color: flag of Katanga
Shape: Katanga cross, ancient currency
Explanation: Red-power, green-hope, white-peace, cross-prosperity
Sango sg Africa W national Color: given flag (without French white)
Shape: roundel of CAR
Explanation: Flag of CAR combines French and Pan-African colors
Kanuri kr Africa W unofficial Color: given ethnic flag
Shape: roundel with star centered
Explanation: based on flag of Bornu Empire
Hausa ha Africa W subnational Color and shape: given ethnic flag
Explanation: traditional symbol, possibly from dress art
Igbo ig Africa W subnational Color: pan-black colors from flag of Biafra
Shape: Biafran sun is simplified
Explanation: Biafra was ethnic Igbo state, this flag is relevant symbol
Yoruba yo Africa W subnational Color and shape: flag from "Flags of Aspirant Peoples" 1960
Explanation: unknown, alternative flag: (Egbe Omo Yoruba)
Akan ak Africa W unofficial Color: flag of Ashanti
Shape: chair is simplified
Explanation: Pan-symbol, suitable for Fanti (dialect in Côte d'Ivoire)
Twi tw Africa W unofficial Color: flag of Ashanti
Shape: star from flag of Ghana
Explanation: Twi is main Ghanian dialect of Akan. There are more dialects than Twi and Fanti
Ewe ee Africa W unofficial Color: given ethnic flag
Shape: single star is wrapped
Explanation: unknown
Bambara bm Africa W unofficial Color: flag of Mali Federation
Shape: kanaga, traditional symbol of Mali
Explanation: Bambara is dominant language of Mali, its symbol is suitable
Fula ff Africa W unofficial Color: given flag of Guinea
Explanation: Guinea is center of Fula speakers, they live in another countries too, but Pan-African colors are kind of pan-symbol
Wolof wo Africa W unofficial Color: given flag of Senegal
Shape: star is wrapped
Explanation: Green star is typical for Senegal, where Wolof is dominant language
Malagasy mg Africa E national Color: given flag of Madagascar
Shape: roundel of Madagascar
Explanation: White-red is from Merina Kingdom, green is for Hova
Seychellois Creole crs Africa E national Color: sea, sun, life, justice, land
Shape: dynamic country moving to future
Explanation: This flag superseded this political one
Esperanto eo x constructed Color: given flag
Shape: star is centered
Explanation: Green-hope (espero), white-peace, star-five continents
Ido io x constructed Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: star has six points, more than Esperanto (Ido is next step)
Interlingua ia x constructed Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: stars resembles cardinal points (universal language), but colors are for Romance and non-Romance peoples
Interlingue-Occidental ie x constructed Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: harmonic language
Volapük vo x constructed Color: given flag (proposed)
Shape: globe is centered
Explanation: Vol=world, thus globe is canting
Romani rmy x unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: sky, land and nomads
Gilbertese gil Oceania unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Based on CoA of Gilbert Islands
Palauan pau Oceania unofficial Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Moon over ocean
Tuvaluan tvl Oceania unofficial Color: Pacific Ocean
Shape: islands of Tuvalu
Prefered flag (without CoA):
Gothic got Europe unofficial Color: purple parchment of Codex Argenteus
Shape: Gothic cross
Explanation: Gothic flag is yet being chosen, here are proposals
Lojban jbo x constructed Color: invented by author of logo
Shape: Cartesian system and Venn diagram
Explanation: Mathematical symbols for logical language
Toonatopian mis x constructed Color: given flag
Shape: taegeuk over Filipino sun
Explanation: Pink border = rounded square in color of pink unicorn - symbol of irrational fantasy
Rays of sun are for four dimensions and four cardinal points. Taegeuk is for harmony between reality and fantasy
Any constructed art x constructed Color and shape: given flag
Explanation: Tower of Babel, colors are invented

Country-based symbols (e.g. British English, Argentine Spanish, Nynorsk) should be used only if the specific variant is concerned. General symbols (English, Spanish, Norwegian) have precedence.

Inspired by these symbols by varpho: