 Only the tiny German principalities of Reuss-Greiz – where the use and layout of the "schwarz-rot-gold" design had originated some 140 years earlier –, Reuss-Gera, Waldeck-Pyrmont and its republican successor had upheld the 1778-established tradition, and had always continued to use the German colours of black, red, and or (gold) in their flag.As a civil ensign, the black-white-red tricolour was retained, albeit with the new tricolour in the top left corner.This change was not welcomed by many people in Germany, who saw this new flag as a symbol of humiliation following Germany's defeat in the First World War.