The Lithuanian flag was first raised on January 1, 1919 in Vilnius by a small group of volunteers who were part of the Lithuanian military formations. In memory of this event, Lithuania celebrates Lithuanian Flag Day (lit. Lietuvos Vėliavos diena).
From the end of the 15th century and for more than four centuries, the flag of Lithuania was red, with a white knight depicted on the flag. In 1918, this flag became the state flag of Lithuania.
The Lithuanian Council established a special commission to design the national flag, and on April 19, 1918, a horizontal tricolor was adopted using the colors most popular in traditional Lithuanian clothing.
In 1988, this tricolor was recognized as the state flag of the Lithuanian SSR; after the collapse of the USSR, Lithuanian Flag Day — January 1 — became a public holiday. Traditionally, on this day flags are hung at state and municipal institutions, and a solemn ceremony takes place in Vilnius, usually with the participation of top officials of the state.
Today, the flag of Lithuania — is the official state symbol of the Republic of Lithuania — is a rectangular panel of three equal horizontal stripes: upper — yellow, middle — green and lower — red. The ratio of the width of the flag to its length is 3:5.
The yellow — color of the sun symbolizes prosperity, nobility, honesty and greatness of spirit.
Green — is the color of life, bringing with it hope, freedom, joy and reminiscent of the beauty of nature.
Red — color of native land and blood, symbolizing love, courage, courage and blood shed for your Fatherland.