This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website

# Appenzell Ausserrhoden canton (Switzerland)

## half-canton

Last modified: 2026-04-25 by martin karner
Keywords: switzerland | appenzell | half canton | canton | bear | german |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors

image by Pascal Gross

- Description of the Flag
  - Miscellaneous Pictures
- Symbolism of the Flag
- Alternate Design
- Colour Flag
- Flaggen, Knatterfahnen, and Livery Colours
- Logo
- Cockade

- Communes of Appenzell Ausserrhoden canton
- Clickable map of Appenzell Ausserrhoden
- Early 20th century flag design
- Cantonal Shooting Club Appenzell Ausserrhoden (KSV AR)

See also:

- Appenzell Innerrhoden canton
- Appenzell canton
- Cantons of Switzerland
- Switzerland
- Hoheitszeichen des Kantons Appenzell Ausserrhoden (by Dora F. Rittmeyer, 1964, German)
- Appenzeller Fahnen in der Waffensammlung des Historischen Vereins Herisau (by A. Kläger, 1964, German)

## Description of the Flag

Argent a bear rampant Sable armed langued and priapic in his virility Gules between two capital letters V and R of the First.
Christopher Southworth

The same flag as Innerrhoden with in addition the letters "V" and "R" on either side of the bear.
When a single flag or arms for both cantons is required, that of Appenzell Innerrhoden is displayed.
T.F. Mills, 28 October 1997

### Miscellaneous Pictures

- An old banner of Ausserrhoden, probably 17th century (confirmed use 1743), with the golden letters "V" and "R" and the inscription "SOLI" (the continuation "DEO GLORIA" on the reverse side is lost). The letters "V" (U) and "R" stand for "Usser Rhoden"/"Ussroden" (Outer Rhodes). Location: Historical Museum, Herisau (source).

  ## Symbolism of the Flag

  The bear is a symbol of power, courage, might and virility. The symbolism of this particular bear is explained by its history.
  T.F. Mills, 28 October 1997

  ## Alternate Design

  by António Martins

  Angst (1992), "A Panoply of Colours: The Cantonal Banners of Switzerland and the Swiss National Flag" shows the V in the lower half of the flag and the R in the upper; the head of the V on an imaginary center line and the R resting on the base of this center line.
  Phil Nelson, 14 October 1998

  ## Colour Flag

  image by Ole Andersen

  Simple rectangular cantonal flag, as shown in Mader (1942) (So-called colour flag [Farbenfahne in German]).
  Martin Karner

  See also: STATE COLOURS in Dictionary of Vexillology

  ## Flaggen, Knatterfahnen and Livery Colours
  |  |  |

  by Pascal Gross

  Flaggen are vertically hoisted from a crossbar in the manner of gonfanon, in ratio of about 2:9, with a swallowtail that indents about 2 units. The chief, or hoist (square part) usually incorporates the design from the coat of arms – not from the flag. The fly part is always divided lengthwise, usually in a bicolour, triband or tricolour pattern (except Schwyz which is monocolour, and Glarus which has four stripes of unequal width). The colours chosen for the fly end are usually the main colours of the coat of arms, but the choice is not always straight forward.

  Knatterfahnen are similar to Flaggen, but hoisted from the long side and have no swallow tail. They normally show the national, cantonal or communal flag in their chiefs.
  Željko Heimer, 16 July 2000

  See also: HANGING FLAG, VERTICALLY HOISTED FLAG, LIVERY COLOURS in Dictionary of Vexillology

  ## Logo

  (loc. 8 May 2024)
  (source)

  ## Cockade

  (ricardo.ch)

  Cockade for the cantonal troops' headgear (regulation from 1898, size: ca. 35 mm, reverse side).
  Martin Karner, 14 March 2025

  See also: Cockades (Swiss Army)