Russia
So, Russia’s the one that started this mess. Their flag dates all the way back to the 17th Century.
There’s a great story that Peter the Great came up with this design based on the flag of the Netherlands, a country which he greatly admired:
Unfortunately, that’s not totally true. The white-blue-red is a traditional color combination in Russia, based on the arms of the Duchy of Moscow. The Dutch influence may have come in the three horizontal stripes though.
That said, the Russian flag would definitely become a strong model for the Slavic countries that would become independent as the Ottoman Empire receded in the Balkans.
Serbia
Serbia, whose flag dates back to 1830, simply flipped Russia’s flag over and substituted a darker blue and red.
This is actually the country’s civil flag. The state flag includes a distinctive coat of arms, a little to the left of center:
Let’s go with this instead.
Slovenia & Slovakia
It’s like they’re twins – same name, same flag, same obscure part of Eastern Europe. How’s anybody supposed to tell ‘em apart? I’m not sure what we can do with these two.
Alternative
I’m surprised none of these countries simply switched the colors around a little:
Same general idea – but just enough difference that you can tell them apart. C’mon, people!
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