According to some sources the banners of the Magyars arriving from the East in the 9th century usually bore the device of a turul, a mythical bird resembling an eagle. Later depictions of Hungarian kings usually showed them with banners bearing a patriarchal cross or red and white stripes. This practice continued for several centuries after the reign of St. Stephen, founder of the kingdom.

Hungary's national colours - red, white and green - first appeared together on the cord of a seal in 1618, under the reign of Matthias II. They probably arose from the tinctures of the coat of arms. The tricolor pattern became popular during the French Revolution as a national flag. The colours were already in use at political gatherings during the great age of reform in the 1830s and 1840s.

After the early successes in the 1848/9 Revolution and War of Independence, it was decreed that "the national colors and arms of the country shall be restored to their ancient rights." Red was taken to be a symbol of strength, white of fidelity and green of hope.