Adopted in 2004. The flag of Montenegro has a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered. The arms consist of a double-headed golden eagle, symbolizing the unity of church and state, is surmounted by a crown. The eagle holds a golden scepter in its right claw and a blue orb in its left. The breast shield over the eagle shows a golden lion passant on a green field in front of a blue sky. The lion is symbol of Episcopal authority and harks back to the three and a half centuries that Montenegro was ruled as a theocracy. (ref: CIA World Factbook)