Spincrus:
I would like to remind you that I was doing the flags for another purpose in the beginning, and just wanted to share them to the public afterwards. I didn't have era-specific flags in mind, since I just wanted to be quickly done with flags that would maybe represent all eras.
The current Bundesgesetz used in my flag is that of Austria, and the two headed eagle would sure be the coat of arms of the Habsburgs. True, but if I did that, I should also have replaced one of the red stripes with green, symbolizing Hungary.
First:
If you do not have era specific flags in mind, then why not choose the flag without any eagle overlay? If it weren't for Austria's past and the Habsburg's Dynasty, the red-white-red [flag] probably would not even show up in your listing.
Why? Because the first and second Republic of Austria are relatively unimportant for _world history_ (1919-1938, 1945 onwards). So forget that stupid Republican flag you have chosen, even in Austria most people don't like using this version.
Second:
You have to bear in mind that the eagle used in your flag is a symbol for the republic and only the Republic of Austria. Hammer & Scythe - which are basically the symbols of socialism; officially of course they represent the newfound "freedom" of the workers - take the place of monarchist Symbols such as Scepter and Crown. Confusing the two is a grave mistake, since the Habsburg Dynasty and the Republic of Austria are two things not to be mixed up. And as a matter of fact, the Republic of Austria is anything but proud of its (more) noble past; therefore it is only fair not to disgrace the past itself by symbolizing it with an ugly republican eagle.
Third:
It is the Monarchy of Austria under the leadership of the Habsburg Dynasty which has defined European history at the side of Germany, France and England. What you fail to recognize is that the Double Monarchy of Austria-Hungary you keep mentioning only existed from 1867-1919. Considering that Austria was in the hands of the Habsburg family for over 600 years, this is only a very small period of time. And rest assured, Austria was neither small nor unimportant in the centuries before.
On the contrary, Austria-Hungary is far from representing the peak of Habsburg's influence and power in Europe it has had in earlier times.
This leaves us two options:
a.) If you want to represent "Austria", then choose the red-white-red flag excluding any eagle. With over 1000 years of age, this one also belongs to the oldest in history. A good solution.
b.) If you want to represent "Austria under the Habsburg Dynasty", it is best to choose the flag you have posted in your latest reply (or a high quality version of it). Austria-Hungary is not important enough to be taken into account here and can therefore be neglected.
What you may not do is to take a Republican Eagle and add the description "Austria under the Habsburg Dynasty". Hell, it is even a shame to speak about the two in one breath. Btw., I'm Austrian, and as you might read from my signature, I am very in that matter. So you can safely assume that my words reflect the truth.
