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Bulgarian Military Flags (since 1990)

Naval Ensign
Naval Jack
Auxiliary Vessels and Coast Guard Ensign
Commander in Chief of the Navy
Navy Chief of Staff
Naval Group Commander

See also:

The Order of the President nr. 234 of 24 July 1991 (D'rzhaven vestnik, br. 62, 2. VIII. 1991.) gives the new flags.
Željko Heimer, 25 January 2004

Naval Ensign

Ensign as seen in use, 2009

image by Zoltan Horvath, 24 April 2024

The current naval ensign and masthead pennant of Bulgaria. I have first seen this version of the ensign on Wikipedia, which has been confirmed by photo evidence (see http://www.nato.int/multi/photos/2004/m040626b.htm).
Miles Li, 31 March 2009

New naval flags and ensigns were introduced in 2005. The new version has a red square defaced with lion in the canton. It can be seen in use at https://blitz.bg/vdignakha-flagovete-v-chest-na-vms-snimki_news216191.html (archived here).
Zoltan Horvath, 24 April 2024

Ensign as proposed in 1991 Order

by Željko Heimer, 16 April 2001

Naval ensign of the Republic of Bulgaria (Voennomorski flag na Republika B'lgariya) is of size 90 x 60 cm, white over green over red, where the white stripe is 36 cm. wide, while both the green and the red are 12 cm. each. The dimensions of the stripes are therefore 4-1-1.
Željko Heimer, 16 April 2001

Naval Jack

by Željko Heimer

White flag with green saltire and over it a red cross throughout. Again, the influence of Russian naval practice is apparent, even if such a design could have come from other sources too. The jack was introduced after the 1990's changes, but if it is an entirely new one or reintroduction of some older pattern, I am not sure. Also, I am not sure when exactly it was introduced (possibly before the 1997 coat of arms decision). Based on my approximation of the album image, it seems that the width of the cross and saltire arms is 1/6 of the hoist. Incidentally, I believe it could be mathematically proven that if so, then the size of the green edges of the flag would be 1/10 of the flag hoist vertically near each corner, and 1/10 of flag length horizontally near each corner. Anyone care for the proof?
Željko Heimer, 16 April 2001

Auxiliary Vessels and Coast Guard Ensign

by Željko Heimer

Green flag with naval ensign in the canton. I believe that this is influenced by Russian (Soviet) green ensigns, however I don't remember similar flags in the socialist era. Did I miss something?

Željko Heimer, 16 April 2001

Commander in Chief of the Navy

by Željko Heimer

Red flag with the naval ensign in the canton, fimbriated from the red field with a white line and with three white anchors set one each in the remaining quarters of the red field.

Željko Heimer, 18 April 2001

Navy Chief of Staff

by Željko Heimer

Red flag with the canton equal to the Minister of Defence flag, fimbriated from the red field with a white line and with three white stars set one each in the remaining quarters of the red field. As I am expected to raise weird questions, I would like to know if it can be confirmed that the flag in the canton used on this flag is indeed the same as the Min-Def, and not the naval ensign that is apparently used in all other naval flags (the difference is, of course, in the wreath around the lion). If it is confirmed (I have no doubt it shall be so) it may be a good idea to point out this "irregularity" on FOTW.

Željko Heimer, 18 April 2001

Naval Group Commander

by Željko Heimer

Red flag with the naval ensign in the canton, fimbriated from the red field with a white line and with two white stars set one each in the fly quarters.

Željko Heimer, 18 April 2001