The horizontally divided black, red, and yellow flag is derived from the uniform mant with red epaulet and gold buttons of Prussion student volunteer solders who fought the Napoleon army in 1813. During Hitler's period, a Swastika flag was used, and as such, the national flag has changed multiple times. After the war, the black, red, and yellow tricolored flag is used in both East and West Germany. East Germany placed in the center a heraldic emblem that symbolizes farmers, the working class, and intellectuals during socialistic days.