Combinations of red and white, sometimes with an additional red stripe, appear in several national flags, each with its own unique meaning and history. Perhaps the most immediately recognizable is the Austrian flag—horizontal bands of red, white, and red—a potent symbol of Austrian national identity whose origins, dating back centuries, are open to interpretation (the Babenberg dynasty or the Holy Roman Empire).
However, other nations also utilize these colors. The Canadian flag, for example, features a red maple leaf on a field of white and red, reflecting the country's heritage and landscape. Peru uses vertical red and white stripes, a symbol of its history and independence.
Finally, Lebanon's red and white stripes incorporate a central green cedar tree, representing resilience and longevity. Thus, while red-white-red immediately evokes Austria, these colors, in various configurations, tell diverse and captivating national stories.