There are a couple of flags that are red and white with a blue triangle. Thankfully, it should be pretty easy to tell the difference between the two of them.
The flag of the Czech Republic will have half of the flag white, half red, and then a blue triangle on top of it. The flag of Puerto Rico will have red and white stripes (similar to the flag of the US) with a blue triangle over the top. This blue triangle will have a white star on it.
Let’s tell you a little bit more about these flags.
Flag of the Czech Republic
You will know that you are looking at the flag of the Czech Republic if the flag has the following characteristics.
- A blue triangle
- Half of the flag red
- Half of the flag blue
- The blue triangle is on the left of the flag pointing inward.
The flag of the Czech Republic (you may sometimes see them referred to as Czechia) has its roots in Czechoslovakia. Back then, both the Czech Republic and Slovakia were one country. The flag that you see for the Czech Republic now is very similar to the flag they had to cover their territories before the countries split in 1992.
This flag design was introduced in the 1920s. Before that, a very similar flag existed. Back then, it did not have the blue triangle on it.
Flag of Puerto Rico
You know that you are looking at the flag of Puerto Rico if the flag has the following characteristics:
- There are three red stripes
- There are two white stripes
- There is a blue triangle pointing from the left of the flag.
- There is a white star on the blue triangle
The flag history of Puerto Rico is long and extensive. The current design came into use in 1952. About 50 years before that, Puerto Rico had a very similar flag. The only difference was the triangle was a much lighter blue. After the US invaded and occupied Puerto Rico, they lost the right to use this original flag (despite only having it as their official flag for three years). Puerto Rico gained its own flag back in 1952.
It may also be interesting to note that the flag of Puerto Rico is based on the ‘Grito de Lares’ flag from 1868. This flag was introduced in 1868 when the Puerto Ricans rebelled against Spanish rule. It did not have a triangle, nor did it have stripes. However, it did have the white star and the same overall color scheme.
Conclusion
A flag that has red and white with a blue triangle will either be the flag of the Czech Republic or the flag of Puerto Rico. It will be dependent on the layout of the flag. The best way to differentiate between the two is to look for a white star. If there is a white star then it is the flag of Puerto Rico. If there is no white star then it is the flag of the Czech Republic.
