National passion, bathed in red and white

The design and colors that Croatian national teams proudly wear in sporting arenas are very distinct in their design and color. Red and white are central to the motifs they wear, the red bespeaking fire, passion and vitality and the white evoking the purity of snow.

Red and white checkered elements can be seen everywhere you go in the country. For example, the landmark St. Mark's Church in the capital, Zagreb, is adorned with that red and white checkered pattern, which Croatians call sahovnica, the Croatian checkerboard.

Legend has it that both colors denote direction, red for north and white for west. Those who live near the Adriatic Sea are called White Croats, and those in the mountains Red Croats. Red and White Croats, interact with each other, just like a chessboard. The checkerboard diagram shows the story of Croats intermingling.

That checkered pattern figures prominently on the national flag.