The colors of two old Hungarian coats of arms are combined to form the national tricolor. One of the shields showed red and white horizontal stripes, the other a white cross rising out of green hills against a red background.

National Anthem

Hungary's national anthem was chosen from a national competition in 1844. The composer, Ferenc Erkel (1810-1893), was director of the National Academy of Music and the founder of the National Association of Hungarian Choirs.