Why does the flag of Austria appear so often by rivers / canals (even outside of Austria)?

The Austrian flag comprises three horizontal stripes; the top and bottom stripes are red, the middle one is white.

Red is generally for blood and war, white is for peace...

best to look up the flag on wikipedia.
It may appear near rivers/canals as bridges are mini monuments of a city. thats my only guess.

why is a guess the best answer???? Report It

Victor, it's so nice to see you live and well, I thought that car running over you did you in for sure!

The Austrian national flag (without the black eagle) is one of the oldest in Europe. You probably see these flags (as signs, plaques, etc) by rivers, canals, and other waterways to indicate that the Austrian government is maintaining them. I know they have strict water regulations and use waterways still as transportation for commercial goods, especially the Danube river and Kanal. I wouldn't be surprised if Austria worked in cooperation with neighbouring countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary, etc. to keep the Danube clean and the shoreline stable. It still floods every now and then causing havoc to buildings, bridges and railway lines.

Cheers,

Petra M, Vancouver

it is a sign to tell you which route to take when walking or climbing so we don,t get lost or take the wrong trail...there can be several different signs painted onto rocks,trees etc and then branch off where path splits,it could possibly be a path that connects to a national walkway system also

Hey Victor, nice question. I am from Austria and never thought of those things being Austrian flags. The legend says that during the war one warrior took off his bandage of his bloody arm. Afterwards it looked like red (his arm), white (his body) and again red. However, this has nothing to do with the flags you see and is also no plan of Austria to invade other countries. It is only used to indicate hiking routes. You do not only find it by rivers and canals indicating where you should go, but also on stones or trees. Sometimes, there is also a number near the "flag" so you can see which route you are going.