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# Appenzell Innerrhoden canton (Switzerland)

## half-canton

Last modified: 2026-04-25 by martin karner
Keywords: switzerland | appenzell | half canton | bear | german |
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image by António Martins

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

- Districts (communes) of Appenzell Innerrhoden canton
- Arms and Flags of the Rhodes
- Cantonal Shooting Association Appenzell Innerrhoden (AIKSV)
- Early 20th century flag design
- Clickable Map of Appenzell Innerrhoden canton

See also:

- Appenzell Ausserrhoden canton
- Appenzell canton
- Cantons of Switzerland
- Switzerland
- Hoheitszeichen von Appenzell Innerrhoden (by Albert Ruosch, 1955, German)

## Description of the Flag

Argent, a bear rampant sable, armed langued and priapic in his virility gules.
On a white field, an upright black bear with red claws and a red erect penis.
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

- Stained glass plate (1599), with resurrection of Christ and the patron saints Mauritius (with flag and shield) and Achatius. Inscription on top: "Am Dritten Tag er Ufferstadt Sin Lyb zum beschlossne Grab uss" (On the third day he rosed [with] his body from the closed grave). Christ holding the "Resurrection Banner", symbolizing his victory over death, usually depicted with a Latin cross throughout (either white cross on red, or red cross on white). Mauritius holding a Mauritius Banner, a (mostly centred) throughout white cross on red, sometimes also a cross botonny (see shield). Location: Swiss National Museum, Zurich (source).
- Stained glass plate (1937), prize awarded by the cantonal shooting club (Appenzell Innerrhoder Kantonalschützenverband). Banner carrier with cantonal flag and CoA of the ancient Rhoden (until 1872 – see info at AIKSV page). Location: AIKSV (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

  ## 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
  |  |  |

  images 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)