National Flag of the Republic of Albania (1993)
Republika e Shqipėrisė

The resurrection of an independent Albania in 1912 provided the ideal opportunity to restore the
personal banner of the 15th century Albanian national hero, George Castriota, known as Skanderbeg.  

His personal banner was red with a black double-headed spread eagle, used when he defeated the Turks and established the first Albanian independent state in 1443.

From 1946 until 1992, Albania was ruled by Communists. During this time a golden-yellow edged
red star was placed above the double-headed eagle. 

The current flag dates from the 22nd of May 1993.

The Symbolic Meaning

In the Albanian language, Albania is "Shqiperia", land of the eagle. Albanians call themselves
"Shkypetars", sons of the eagle, traditionally regarding themselves as descendants of the eagle.

The double-headed eagle is thought to stem from Byzantine times, when the Byzantine Empire
used the eagle as its emblem.  The empire controlled south-eastern Europe for about 800 years,
until the late 13th century.