Basel Land half canton (Switzerland)

Blazon by Mühlemann (1991): Arms: In Silber ein linksgewendeter roter Bischofsstab (Baselstab) mit sieben roten Krabben (gotischen Verzierungen) am Knauf.

Flag: Argent a Crosier contourné Gules (crosier of Basel) with seven Crabs Gules (Gothic ornaments) on the knob addossed the hoist.
Jarig Bakker, 24 June 2000

I can't remember when they split but Basel Land has only has 5 counties. The reason why Basel Land split from Basel Stadt was because they city had an argument with the countryside and they ended up sentencing 7 people from the countryside to their death. That is why Basel Land decided to split and they changed their flag to face the other way, changed the color to red because that is the color of blood and the seven red bosses represent the 7 people who died.
Sarah Tschudin, 27 November 2006

• History of the Flag
• Flaggen, Knatterfahnen, and livery colours

See also:

• Switzerland
• Communes of the Basel Land half canton
• Basel canton
• Basel Stadt half canton

History of the flag

The half-canton was split from Basel-city in 1832. The citizens adopted a reverse orientation (towards the sinister) of the crosier, effectively turning their backs on their previous affiliation. The seven roundels represent the seven counties of the Canton. On April 1, 1947, the position of the crosier was reaffirmed by the governing council.

Source: Angst (1992), "A Panoply of Colours: The Cantonal Banners of Switzerland and the Swiss National Flag".
Phil Nelson, 14 October 1998