The red, white, and blue are colors often used in Slavic areas. It is not of Russion influence, buy rather colors of a symbol from olden days. It is derived from the the red and silver checkered heraldic emblem of the Croatian Kingdom and the symbol of Dalmatia, a golden leo heraldic emblem on a blue base. In the center is the Croatian Kingdom's checkered shield symbol and above that is the heraldic emblems of the five regions in Ancient Croatia.