Below is the list of flags used by the German Empire, which includes all flags used by the German Empire (1871–1918), along with its kingdoms, duchies and principalities.
National and merchant flags
FlagDateUseDescription1871–1918Official national flag of the German EmpireThe national flag combined the colors of Prussia (black and white) and the colors of Brandenburg (red and white). While this flag already functioned as the flag of the German Empire in practice, it wasn't until 1892 that it was officially designated as the national flag.1867–1903Jack of the North German Confederation and the German EmpireBy order of Wilhelm I on 4 July 1867, this flag was designated as the war flag (Kriegsflagge) and jack (Kriegsgösch) of the North German Confederation.1896–1918Merchant flag of the German Empire with the Iron CrossOn 1 July 1896, a special flag was adopted for use in ships commanded by retired or reserve naval officers. This flag, designated as the Merchant Flag with Iron Cross (Handelsflagge mit eisernem Kreuz), is similar to the Jack of the North German Confederation, although the Iron Cross is now touching the hoist edge.
Standards of the House of Hohenzollern FlagDateUseDescription1871Standard of the German EmperorThis standard was proposed by Wilhelm I and his son, Friedrich, on 3 August 1871. Friedrich insisted that the standard of the German Emperor continue using the background of the Prussian royal standard. The Iron Cross on a royal purple (red) background, and emblazoned with the words "Gott mit uns" (God with us), along with the year 1870. In each corner, two imperial crowns and two Prussian eagles. The central shield in a silver (white) version. This standard was only used for a little over two months, from 3 August until 15 October 1871.1871–1888Standard of the German EmperorThis second standard was proposed by the supreme heraldist of the German Empire, Rudolf von Stillfried-Rattonitz, who argued that gold (yellow) was more precious of a color than royal purple (red). Wilhelm I conceded to his opinion, and ordered the background color of the standard to be changed to yellow. Aside from the new background color, each corner now has three imperial eagles and one imperial crown, while the central shield now has a yellow background.1888–1918Standard of His Majesty the German Emperor"The standard, 4 meters square, is made of golden-yellow silk and displays the Iron Cross, overlaid with the lesser coat of arms of His Majesty. In each angle of the cross appear an imperial crown and three black eagles with red talons and beaks. As soon as His Majesty boards a ship, the imperial standard is hoisted at the top of the mainmast, and all other command and distinguishing marks are removed." The shape of the imperial eagles and the central coat of arms has been changed compared to the previous version. The imperial crown also has a slightly different form.1871–1901Standard of Her Majesty German Empress Victoria, Princess RoyalThe Empress's standard, which resembled the Emperor's, omitted the large Iron Cross. Instead, a smaller version was placed in the upper inner corner. The International Nurses Cross rested upon this smaller cross. The flag was covered with 26 scattered imperial eagles. The Empress's crown, in its 1871 version, was placed on the escutcheon. The standard was designed in 1871 for Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, wife of Wilhelm I, and was also used by the second Empress, Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland, wife of Frederick III. After the deaths of the first two German Emperors, the standard continued to be used by both Empress Augusta—until her death in 1890—and Empress Frederick—until her death in 1901.1888–1918Standard of Her Majesty the German EmpressA new standard was created for the wife of Wilhelm II. The red cross in the slimmer Iron Cross at the top-left corner was omitted, and a Prussian crown, the letter "W," and the year "1870" were added to the Iron Cross. The number of the redesigned imperial eagles was reduced to 16, and the Empress's old crown was replaced by the current model from 1888.1871–1888Standard of His Imperial and Royal Highness the German Crown PrinceThis standard was essentially the same as that of the German Emperor, however, the imperial crown was removed from the corners, so that three imperial eagles were visible in each corner. The central shield, on which the crown prince's crown was located, was bordered in red.1888–1918Standard of His Imperial and Royal Highness the German Crown PrinceThis version of the standard is similar to the previous version, however, there are now four imperial eagles in each corner.
Ensigns and jacks used by the Kaiserliche Marine FlagDateUseDescription1871–1892War flagFrom 2 March, 1886, the following additional persons were permitted to fly the German war flag on their private vessels at sea: The sovereigns of the German states (the federal states), the princes of the imperial house and other German royal houses, as well as the first mayors of the free Hanseatic cities.1892–1903Reichskriegsflagge"The white flag (3.75 m high, 6.25 m long) is divided into two shorter and two longer fields by a black cross, the arms of which are again accompanied by black lines. The first, upper field (1.6 m high, 2.4 m long) displays the imperial colors black-white-red and bears the Iron Cross in the center. At the intersection of the arms lies a circular, white medallion with the Prussian eagle."1903–1918ReichskriegsflaggeOfficially designated as the "Imperial war flag" (Reichskriegsflagge), this variant of the previous flag apparently had a wider cross.1903–1918Naval jackThe jack displays the imperial colors black, white, and red and bears the Iron Cross in the center. It is "hoisted on holidays, festive occasions, inspections, etc."1871–1918Pilot signal flagThe national flag surrounded by a white border, of which the width is one-fifths of the entire flag. The pilot signal flag is used by ships and merchant vessels to indicate that they require pilotage.1889–1918Flag of the State Secretary in the Imperial Naval OfficeThe flag of an admiral with two crossed, clear yellow anchors in the bottom-left corner. Since this flag was not a command flag, flags of admirals, etc., were hoisted instead.1871–1889Flag of the Chief of the AdmiraltyAround the reduced cross of an admiral's flag are four red, anchors arranged crosswise.1889–1899Flag of the Commanding AdmiralThe imperial crown, lined in red and without ribbons, was placed on an admiral's cross. This flag replaced that of the Chief of the Admiralty.1899–1900Flag of the Inspector General of the NavyThis flag replaced that of the Commanding Admiral.Around 1900Flag of the Inspector General of the NavyApparently a temporary version used for a short time, which was quickly replaced by the subsequent one. This flag appears to have a thicker red border than the previous version used.1900–1918Flag of the Inspector General of the NavyThis version of the flag replaced the first version of the flag, mainly due to visual improvements. It became apparent that the narrow red border on the first version of the flag was barely visible at great distances, making it indistinguishable from the admiral flag. The admiral's cross was likewise placed within the white square for aesthetic reasons.1908–1918Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff with the rank of AdmiralThe admiral flag with, at the center, a disk of white in which is contained a rope circle and a downward pointing rope sword.1908–1918Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff with the rank of Vice AdmiralLike the previous one, except with the addition of a dot in the top-left corner.1908–1918Flag of the Chief of the Naval Staff with the rank of Rear AdmiralLike the previous one, except with the addition of two "rank balls."1908–1918Command flag of a Grand AdmiralTwo Grand Admiral batons are placed on an Admiral's ensign. Above these is the Imperial Crown with ribbons. This highest rank in the Imperial Navy was created in 1900 at the specific request of the Naval Command to provide an equivalent to the Army Field Marshal. Kaiser Wilhelm II himself initially assumed this title in 1900. The first Grand Admiral from the Kriegsmarine to receive this flag was Hans von Koester in 1905.
Broad pennant of the German Emperor and Empress FlagDateUseDescription1895–1918Broad pennant of the German EmperorIn 1895, Wilhelm II introduced a special broad pennant (Breitwimpel), which can be sometimes hoisted in place of his personal standard. The broad pennant of the German Emperor was considered the highest command insignia of the Imperial Navy, which was only placed in place of the imperial standard by personal order of the Emperor.1908–1918Broad pennant of the German EmpressDepiction of the Empress's crown from 1888. The broad pennant was only raised on the Empress's orders. On ships, it was hoisted at the mainmast; on boats, at the bow. When the Empress's broad pennant was flying, parades, boarding, salutes, marching, and flag displays were omitted. The guard did not assemble; however, the crew on deck had to be summoned by the bugle signal "Attention!"
Command flags of admirals FlagDateUseDescription1867–1918Command flag of an admiralThe admiral's cross on a white field.1867–1918Command flag of a vice admiralmand flag of a vice admiralThe admiral's cross on a white field, with one rank ball on the top-left corner.1867–1918Command flag of a rear admiralThe admiral's cross on a white field, with two rank balls, each on the top-left and bottom-left corners.1904–1918Command flag of a vice admiral of the second squadron of the active battle fleetUntil 1904, all flags were flown with black rank balls. Flag officers of the 1st Squadron retained black balls in their command flags even after 1904.1904–1918Command flag of a rear admiral of the second squadron of the active battle fleetLike the previous one, but with two rank balls.
Naval pennants FlagDateUseDescription1871–1918Commodore pennantHoisted when at least two ironclads were under the command of a commodore and captain. The pennant was to be hoisted at the mainmast. On ships of lesser strength, the pennant had to be hoisted at the foremast.1871–1918Commodore pennant (for ships of lesser strength)Hoisted by a captain at sea and commodore when commanding ships of lesser power and there was no possibility of hoisting the pennant on the foremast.1871–1918Commodore pennant for a deputy commodore of the second squadronLike the previous pennant, but belonging to the second squadron of the active battle fleet1871–1918Seniority pennantEquivalent to the commodore's pennant. It was hoisted by the most senior officer of equal rank on ships at anchor or in port when no superior officer was present. In this case, the pennant had to be hoisted on the yardarm of the aft mast.1871–1918Flotilla pennantHoisted by naval officers entrusted with the command of a flotilla, unless they were entitled to display a rank insignia.1871–1918Division pennantHoisted by naval officers entrusted with the command of a division, unless they were entitled to display a rank insignia.1871–1918Commander pennant A black-white-red burgee pennant. Hoisted by commanders of naval groups who were not entitled to display a rank insignia or other pennant.
Flag of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in China By order of Wilhelm II on 21 August, 1900, a special command insignia was issued to the German intervention force in China during the Boxer Rebellion. German Field Marshal Alfred von Waldersee was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of this force. The command insignia was also sometimes used as a square standard. After the German contingent returned in September 1901, the flag was displayed in a museum in Berlin. FlagDateUseDescription1900–1901Flag of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in ChinaThe naval jack with crossed marshal's batons protruding from beneath the Iron Cross.