On 27 February 1990, shortly before the country regained its independence, the Latvian government re-adopted the traditional red-white-red flag.

The red colour is sometimes described as symbolizing the readiness of the Latvians to give the blood from their hearts for freedom and their willingness to defend their sovereignty.

The chronicle tells of a battle that took place around 1279, in which ancient Latgalian tribes from Cēsis, a city in northern modern-day Latvia, went to war, bearing a 'red flag with a white stripe'.

[2] Legend recounts the story of a mortally wounded chief of Latgalians who had been wrapped in a white sheet.

In May, during a meeting of the Latvian Art Promotion Association (Latviešu mākslas veicināšanas biedrība), several proposals were reviewed, finally, a design by artist Ansis Cīrulis [lv; ru] was accepted.

Any production and public display of the nationalist Latvian flag was considered anti-state crime and punishable by law.

[citation needed] The flag shall be placed at least 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) above the ground and properly secured to the flagstaff.

The flagstaff shall be longer than the longest side of the flag, straight, painted white, and preferably made of wood.

[citation needed] The standard of the president is white with the rectangular cross in the colour proportions of the national flag.

The centre of the cross covered a white rectangular panel bearing the coat of arms of Latvia.

The standard of the prime minister is white with the symmetric cross in the colour proportions of the national flag.

The standard of the speaker of the Saeima is white with the symmetric cross in the colour proportions of the national flag.