Portal:Poland/Selected article/13
Throughout most of Poland's history, the banner of Poland was one of the main symbols of the Polish State, normally reserved for use by the head of state. Although its design changed with time, it was generally a heraldic banner, i.e., one based directly on the national coat of arms: a crowned White Eagle in a red field. Derived from early Slavic flag-like objects, a royal banner of arms dates as far back as the 11th century CE. A symbol of royal authority, it was used at coronations and in battles. The banner of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was initially plain white emblazoned with the arms of the Commonwealth which consisted of the heraldic charges of Poland (White Eagle) and Lithuania (Pursuer). Since both Polish and Lithuanian coats of arms consist of white charges in a red field, these two colors started to be used for the entire banner (example pictured). In the interwar period, the royal banner was replaced with the Banner of the Republic of Poland, which was part of the presidential insignia. A national banner is not mentioned in the current regulations on Polish national symbols, although today's presidential jack is based directly on the pre-war design for the Banner of the Republic. The banner should not be confused with the flag of Poland, a white and red horizontal bicolor, officially adopted in 1919. (Full article...)