by the cavalry of Prince Francis II Rákóczi. Today the banner of the House of Árpád as well as the banner of the cavalry of Francis II Rákóczi are part of the collection of historical flags of Hungary used for protocol (e.g. on state celebrations and holidays, MPs are sworn in on them in the Parliament, etc.). Lately the flag has been adopted by the far-right (most eminently among supporters of Jobbik party) with increasing popularity since the 2006 protests in Hungary. Controversy The recent use of the Árpád stripes both on flags and badges by Hungarian right wing elements have generated controversy, as the Nazi puppet government formed by members of the Hungarian Arrow Cross Party, which was in place for seven months (October 1944–April 1945), used a similar symbol as a component of their flag in the 1940s. Although the stripes have centuries old historical origins, there are claims that the Árpád stripes have fascist connotations. Defendants claim that they do not foster the memory of the Arrow Cross Party, but rather the rich historical heritage of Hungary and honour the founding dynasty of the Árpáds by bearing this flag. Additionally, they point to the major heraldic difference between the Árpád stripes and the configuration used by the Arrow Cross Party: the Árpád stripes have been defined since the late 19th (before that the number was volatile) century as a barry of eight, such starting with gules and ending with argent, contrasting with the use of the colours by the Hungarian fascists who used nine rather than eight stripes starting and ending with red. Historical use Current official use Flag|Heraldry