The flag of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was introduced in March 1939, because the striven continue of the hitherto Czechoslovakian flag was rejected by the German Empire. The new flag showed three horizontal stripes im white, red and blue. The colours white and red are the since the 12th century known Bohemian colours (white lion on red), blue should represent Moravia.
The greater coat of arms of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia showed a quartered shield, in the first and fourth field the scutcheon of Bohemia (silvery double-tailed lion with golden crown on red ground), in the second and third field the scutcheon of Moravia (silvery-red chess-board styled eagle with with golden crown on blue ground).
Map of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia 1939–1945:
Source: Volker Preuß
The Sudetenland – the area of settlement of the Germans – belonged directly to the German Empire, the area of settlement of the Czech was as "Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia" subordinated unter German supremacy.
"Bohemia and Moravia" is the summary of the names of those both landscapes, but between 1939 and 1945 in non-historical borders. The denomination "Protectorate" was dishonestly and absolutely improper, because a protectorate is a to shelter state. In reality Bohemia and Moravia was a powerless, to the arbitrariness of the national socialistic German Empire committed object.
The designation "Bohemia" has its roots in the Celtic tribe of the Boyers, which settled here in the antquity. The Boyers were pushed aside 80–70 B.C. by the Teutonic Markomans. The Slavic Czech populated the country in the 6th century. The Czech designation "Cesko" – ergo "Czechia" – arised not until the 19th century in context with the growing strong of the Czech nationalism.
The designation "Moravia" is of Slavic origin and has its roots in the "March River", which flows near Pressburg in the Danube River. In ancient times that river was named "Maraha" and the land he flows through "Marahania". In this way became the residents of that land "Marahans" which were named afterward "Maehren", "Moravians" or "Moravci". The "March River" is named in the today’s Czech language "Morava", like the name of the country "Moravia" which is named in Czech language "Morava" too.
