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Law on the Coat-of-Arms, the Flag and the National Anthem of the Republic of Croatia, and on
the Flag and the Sash of the President of the Republic of Croatia, adopted on December 21, 1990
I General provisions
Article 1
This law regulates the description of the historical coat-of-arms, flag, text and score of the
national anthem of the Republic of Croatia, and the description of the flag and sash of the
Croatian President, as well as the means and protection of their display.
Article 2
The Croatian coat-of-arms, flag, and national anthem represent the Republic of Croatia, and
express affiliation to the Republic of Croatia.
Article 3
The coat-of-arms, flag, and national anthem of the Republic of Croatia shall be
displayed/performed in compliance with the provisions of this law, and in such a way that they
uphold the reputation and dignity of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 4
The coat-of-arms, flag and national anthem of the Republic of Croatia shall be displayed in
accordance with the shapes, descriptions, and texts determined by the Constitution of the
Republic of Croatia, and regulated by this law.
The coat-of-arms and flag of the Republic of Croatia cannot be altered.
Exception: parts of the
coat-of-arms or flag of the Republic of Croatia can be used as a constitutive part of another
emblem or symbol, if statute or any other regulation of a legal entity allows it, providing that
it does not offend the reputation and dignity of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 5
It is forbidden to publicly display shabby, untidy, torn, or in any other way damaged
coat-of-arms or flags of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 6
The Croatian coat-of-arms, flag, and national anthem may appear in works of art, music, and
education, providing that such a display does not offend the reputation and dignity of the
Republic of Croatia.
II Coat-of-Arms of the Republic of Croatia
Article 7
The coat-of-arms of the Republic of Croatia is a historical Croatian coat-of-arms in the shape
of a shield. The checked pattern has twenty five alternating red and white (argent) fields, so
that the dexter chief (left upper corner) of the shield is red. Above the shield is a crown with
five peaks, which touches the dexter and sinister chief (left and right upper ends) of the
shield, bending in a slight arch.
The crown is divided into five small shields with historical Croatian coats-of- arms, in the
following order, from left to right: the oldest known Croatian coat-of-arms, then coats-of-arms
of the Dubrovnik Republic, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia.
The height of the smaller fields in the crown are 2.5 times the size of the fields in the main
shield, while the width of both sets of fields are the same.
The oldest known Croatian coat-of-arms has a yellow (golden) six-pointed star and a white
(argent) new moon on a blue shield. A golden rim borders the entire coat of arms.
The coat-of-arms of the Dubrovnik Republic has two red beams on a navy blue shield.
The Dalmatian coat-of-arms has three yellow (golden) crowned leopard heads on a blue shield.
The Istrian coat-of-arms has a yellow (golden) goat with red hoofs and horns facing left, on a
navy blue shield.
The Slavonian coat-of-arms has two horizontal white (argent) beams on a blue shield. Between the
beams there is a red field with a marten in motion facing left. There is a yellow (golden)
six-pointed star in the chief blue field.
The entire coat-of-arms is trimmed by a red line.
Article 8
The coat-of-arms of the Republic of Croatia shall be displayed:
as a part of seals and stamps of the state administration and other
official offices, in accordance with state regulations concerning seals and stamps with the
coat-of-arms of the Republic of Croatia;
as a part of official titles of social and political organizations,
displayed on their buildings in the Republic of Croatia, in offices of the government of the
Republic of Croatia in foreign countries;
on the buildings of state administration and other public organizations,
as well as in ceremonial rooms of these buildings;
on official papers, and similar papers used by representatives and members
of the government of the Republic of Croatia, the chairman of the Parliament of the Republic of
Croatia, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, and other official representatives of
the Presidency, Government, and Parliament of the Republic of Croatia, as well as ministries and
other state bodies, in accordance with provisions stated in their statutes;
on diplomas and certificates of completed educational programs;
on other occasions as regulated by law.
Article 9
The original coat-of-arms of the Republic of Croatia shall be kept in the House of Parliament in
the Republic of Croatia, and replicas shall be made in accordance with it.
III The Flag of the Republic of Croatia
Article 10
The flag of the Republic of Croatia consists of three bands of color red, white and blue with
the Croatian coat-of-arms in the center. The length is twice the width. Its colors, in the order
red, white, and blue, are laid horizontally, each one third the width of the flag. The Croatian
coat-of-arms is placed in the center of the flag so that the upper part of the coat-of-arms (the
crown) overlaps the red field of the flag, and the bottom part of the coat-of-arms overlaps the
flag's blue field. The center of the coat-of-arms is placed at the point where the diagonals of
the flag meet.
Article 11
The flag of the Republic of Croatia shall be displayed:
permanently on state authorities buildings;
on State holidays;
during mourning, at half-mast;
on other occasions if so regulated by law.
The flag of the Republic of Croatia shall be flown by ships and other maritime and inland
navigation vessels.
Details concerning all the above shall be regulated by the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 12
The flag of the Republic of Croatia shall be flown:
during public meetings (political, scientific, cultural-artistic, sport
and others) which are holding in Republic of Croatia, according rules and customs of such meetings;
on other occasions in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Article 13
When the flag of the Republic of Croatia is flown over the middle of a street or a square, it
should be displayed vertically, with the red band:
to the north, on an east and west street;
to the east, on a north and south street;
at the east point of a traffic circle.
When the flag of the Republic of Croatia is suspended vertically on a speaker's platform in a
public auditorium, the red band should be on the left from the audience's point of view.
When the flag of the Republic of Croatia is used to cover a bier, a pedestal or other objects,
or when it is carried horizontally, the red band should be on the left (when facing the flag).
Article 14
For ceremonies, the flag of the Republic of Croatia should be hoisted and lowered, displayed and
removed, and all persons present should honor it, (stand and salute etc.).
IV National Anthem of the Republic of Croatia
Article 15
National anthem of the Republic of Croatia is Lijepa naša domovino (Our Beautiful Fatherland)
Article 16
Text of the anthem of the Republic of Croatia:
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Lijepa naša domovino
Lijepa naša domovino,
Oj junačka zemljo mila,
Stare slave djedovino,
da bi vazda sretna bila!
Mila, kano si nam slavna,
Mila si nam ti jedina.
Mila kuda si nam ravna,
Mila, kuda si planina!
Teci Dravo, Savo teci,
Nit' ti Dunav silu gubi,
Sinje more svijetu reci,
Da svoj narod Hrvat ljubi.
Dok mu njive sunce grije,
Dok mu hrašće bura vije,
Dok mu mrtve grob sakrije,
Dok mu živo srce bije!
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Our Beautiful Fatherland
Our beautiful homeland,
O so fearless, our beloved country,
Our fathers' ancient glory,
Shall allways be blessed!
You are our only glory,
You are our only treasure,
We love your plains and valleys,
We love your hills and mountains.
Save, Drava, keep on flowing,
Danube, do not lose your vigor,
Deep blue sea go tell the whole world,
That a Croat loves his nation.
When his fields are kissed by sunshine,
When his oaks are whipped by wild winds,
When his dear ones graves hide,
When his heart beats!
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Article 17
Score with the text of the anthem Lijepa naša domovino.
Article 18
The national anthem of the Republic of Croatia shall be performed:
at the beginning of a Parliament's session;
upon official visits to Croatia from foreign leaders or representatives
of international organizations to Croatia;
on other occasions if so regulated by law.
Article 19
The anthem of the Republic of Croatia may be played during official celebrations, political
assemblies, and other public occasions celebrating certain events. The anthem of the Republic of
Croatia may not be played in any way or at any occasion which would undermine the honor and
dignity of the Republic of Croatia.
Article 20
The anthem's original text and score shall be kept in the House of Parliament of the Republic of
Croatia.
Article 21
The anthem of the Republic of Croatia shall be performed instrumentally or vocally, or
instrumentally and vocally.
Article 22
When the anthem of the Republic of Croatia is performed, all present should honor it.
V The Flag of the President of the Republic of Croatia
Article 23
The flag of the President of the Republic of Croatia is square in shape and trimmed by
alternating red and silver fields. In the center of the flag, on a blue background, appears the
historic Croatian coat-of-arms, carrying 25 red and silver fields.
The shield is surrounded by a wreath of medallions comprised of historic coats-of-arms from
regions of Croatia. The oldest Croatian shield is to the far left, followed by the coat-of-arms
of the Dubrovnik Republic, Dalmatia, Istria and Slavonia.
Parallel golden, red and silver sheaves descend vertically from the medallions. A banner in the colors of the Croatian national flag is centered by embroidered gold Roman capital letters RH for the Republic of Croatia.
Article 24
The flag of the President of the Republic of Croatia shall be displayed:
on the Presidential residence and offices, when the President is in the
building;
on any vehicle used by the President;
during other ceremonies as regulated by law.
VI The Sash of the President of the Republic of Croatia
Article 25
The sash of the President of the Republic is a sign of presidential honor, and consists of three
colors placed in the same order as they appear on the flag of the Republic of Croatia: red,
white then blue. The Croatian coat-of-arms appears at the center of the gold trimmed sash, on
the silver field at the sash' s front. The coat-of-arms is also trimmed in gold, its rim adorned
with embroidered gold oak branches to the left, and embroidered gold olive branches to the right.
The sash is diagonally worn over the right shoulder across the chest to the waist where it is
buckled into the other side of the sash. Interlaced gold branches decorate the square buckle. At
the center of the buckle appears the historic Croatian coat-of arms as it appears on the
presidential flag, but without the inscription on the banner.
Article 26
The President of the Republic of Croatia shall wear the sash during official ceremonies and receptions:
VII Penal Provisions
Article 27
Any institution shall be fined between 5,000 to 25,000 HRD if:
displays a coat-of-arms or flag of the Republic of Croatia contrary to
Article 3 of this law;
displays a coat-of-arms or flag of the Republic of Croatia in a shape or
with contents not provided by the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and this law (Article
4, Item 1) or contrary to the provisions of Article 4 Paragraph 2 of this law;
displays parts of the coat-of-arms or flag contrary to Article 4 Item 3
of this law;
displays worn-out, untidy, torn, or in any other way damaged coat-of-arms
or flag of the Republic of Croatia (Article 5);
displays a coat-of-arms or flag of the Republic of Croatia contrary to
the provisions of Article 6 of this law;
does not display coat-of-arms of the Republic of Croatia when its display
is obligatory (Article 8);
plays the Croatian national anthem contrary to the provisions of Article
19 of this law; shall be fined between 5,000 to 25,000 HRD.
For the offense described in Paragraph 1 of this article the responsible person in the
institution also shall be fined with 1,000 to 5,000 HRD.
Any person who commits an offense stated in Paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 7 of this Article shall
be fined 1,500 to 5,000 HRD.
The responsible person in a social - political organization or any other state office shall be
fined 1,000 to 5,000 HRD for the offense as stated in Paragraph 1 of this Article.
If the offense stated in Paragraph 1 Item 7 of this Article is committed on a public rally, the
person who is responsible for organizing the rally shall be fined 1,000 to 5,000 HRD.
Article 28
A person who commits an offense from Article 27 of this law shall be fined 5,000 to 25,000 HRD
if it is in private business, and 1,000 to 5,000 otherwise.
Article 29
As a protective measure, the items offending Articles 28 and 29 of this law will be confiscated
from the guilty party.
An authorized official of the Ministry of Interior can, prior to criminal procedures, confiscate
items specify Paragraph 1 of this Article. The confiscated items shall be immediately given to
officials in charge of criminal procedure.
Article 30
Pictures or photographs of the coat-of-arms and flag of the Republic of Croatia, and flag and
sash of the President of the Republic of Croatia are also under jurisdiction of this law.
Article 31
This law will become effective on the date it is published in Narodne Novine.
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