Flag of Switzerland which was based on a white cross design. These flags usually showed a white cross drawn to the edge of the field in front of a background striped in the respective cantonal colours. From this type, the "flammé" military flag develops in the 17th century, which also came to be used by Swiss mercenary regiments by the end of the 17th century. The "flammé" design remained popular for military flags of the 18th and 19th centuries. A "flammé" flag was introduced as ordonnance for the Bernese troops in 1703. After the invasion of 1798, the authorities of the Helvetic Republic
Flag of Switzerland of the colours of that flag, in order to honour Switzerland, where the first Geneva Convention was held, and its inventor and co-founder, the Swiss Henry Dunant. The modern banner of the Pontifical Swiss Guard was designed in 1912–14 by commander Jules Repond. The design has a Swiss cross design based on the 18th-century regimental flags of the Swiss Guards, with the papal coat of arms of the reigning pope in the upper hoist and the Della Rovere coat of arms of Julius II in the lower fly, and a vignette with the commander's coat of arms in the center.