World / 13 weeks ago

Shared stripes and colours: Why many national flags look alike

National flags are powerful symbols of identity, yet many look curiously similar to one another. From repeating colour schemes to common emblems and layouts, these resemblances are rarely coincidental. Often, shared flag designs trace back to historical alliances, cultural movements, political ideologies, or colonial ties. This article explores the fascinating reasons behind these flag look-alikes, from Pan-African and Pan-Arab colours to the Nordic cross, colonial-era legacies, and regional patterns across Europe, Latin America, and Asia.