Flag of Department of Ain

The flag associated with Ain is an armorial banner with a 3:5 ratio: the arms of the department take up the whole field, which is divided into four equal quarters. There is no coat of arms on top; the arms are the field itself.

How it came about

Ain is a department in eastern France. The banner was raised in 2006, but there is no proof of its use in the department.

The four quarters collect the emblems of the historic districts of the region: Bugey, Pays de Gex, Bresse and Dombes. Each quarter brings its own figure.

How it has changed

It has never changed. It was raised in 2006 with no further documented dates.

What it means

• Ratio

  3:5, and the field is the arms themselves, with no coat of arms on top.

• First quarter

  yellow field with a blue band across it and two black lions.

• Second quarter

  blue field with three yellow pieces for crushing hemp and a red lion appearing above.

• Third quarter

  blue field with three yellow fleurs-de-lis and a short red band above.

• Fourth quarter

  red field with a white lion spotted black, like the fur of the ermine.

Fun facts

1. Hemp, a rural industry

   The second quarter carries three yellow pieces for crushing hemp. It is not an abstract symbol: it is a rural work tool, the one used in Bresse to prepare hemp. It is one of the most concrete flags there are, because it names a utensil.

2. Three lions in four quarters

   Only one quarter is Bugey with its two lions. The others have different figures: a red lion, fleurs-de-lis and a white spotted lion. Variety is the criterion: each district is drawn with its own figure.

3. Arms with no coat of arms on top

   The description says there is no coat of arms drawn on the field: the arms are the field itself. It is a pure armorial banner, a rectangle divided into four quarters, with no frame or shield on top.

Location