The national flag of France, often referred to as the French tricolor, has become an enduring symbol of the French nation. With its iconic blue, white and red vertical stripes, the French flag is easily recognizable around the world. But what do the colors on the French flag represent and what is the history behind this famous banner?
Background on the French Flag
The current French flag was first used during the French Revolution in 1789. It was designed to represent the values and ideals of the revolutionaries as they overthrew the monarchy. The three colors were chosen to symbolize liberty (blue), equality (white) and fraternity (red) – the values of the French motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.”
The very first French tricolor was created in 1790 and had the colors arranged with blue and red on the outer stripes and white in the middle. However, this was changed in 1794 to the current design with the darker blue on the hoist side, followed by white then red. This orientation has remained to the present day.
Meaning of the Flag’s Colors
Here is a more in-depth look at the meaning behind each color on the French flag:
Blue
The blue stripe on the French flag is said to represent liberty, as blue was the color of the uniforms worn by George Washington’s continental army during the American Revolutionary War. For the French revolutionaries, blue symbolized the break from monarchy and the establishment of new liberties.
White
The white stripe in the middle of the flag represents equality. During the French Revolution, the color white was chosen to represent the French people in their fight for equal rights and opportunities regardless of social class or status under the strict hierarchies of the Ancien Régime.
Red
The final red stripe on the French tricolor represents fraternity or brotherhood. Red was seen as the color of the blood shed by the heroic French soldiers and citizens during the revolution. It symbolizes their solidarity and willingness to sacrifice for the cause of bringing liberty and equality to the nation.
Other Symbolism
In addition to the overt meanings behind the three colors, some other symbolic interpretations of the flag have emerged:
- Blue, white and red are the traditional colors of Paris, giving the flag a connection to the French capital.
- White is also sometimes said to symbolize the Bourbon dynasty and its white flag, showing that the revolutionaries had prevailed over the monarchy.
- The three colors are the national colors of France and have been used on cockades and sashes dating back to the Middle Ages.
Legal Status and Protocol
The French tricolor was formally adopted as the national flag in 1794. It has remained unchanged as the official banner of France since then, except for periods of monarchy when white flags were used instead. Today, the flag’s colors, dimensions and usages are legally defined.
There is also protocol around properly displaying the flag. For example, it must not touch the ground or be flown in poor weather conditions. When flown vertically on a pole, the blue stripe should be on top nearest the flagpole.
Use Around the World
As a recognizable national symbol, the French tricolor is flown by French government offices, embassies and citizens around the globe. However, many other places also use very similar red, white and blue flags including:
| Country | Flag |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | Vertical tricolor of red, white and blue |
| Luxembourg | Horizontal tricolor of red, white and blue |
| Russia | Horizontal tricolor of white, blue and red |
| Slovenia | Horizontal tricolor of white, blue and red with coat of arms |
| Croatia | Horizontal tricolor of red, white and blue with coat of arms |
This can sometimes lead to confusion between the similar-looking flags, but the French tricolor is distinguished by its vertical stripe orientation and darker navy blue.
Influence Around the World
As one of the earliest and most recognizable national flags, the French tricolor has also inspired the flags of many other countries. Its symbolic colors and revolutionary associations made it a popular model for new republics and liberal movements in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Many countries inspired by French liberty and democracy have incorporated the blue, white and red into their own flags. These include:
| Country | French Influence on Flag |
|---|---|
| Italy | Vertical tricolor of green, white and red |
| Ireland | Vertical tricolor of green, white and orange |
| Romania | Vertical tricolor of blue, yellow and red |
| Chad | Vertical tricolor of blue, yellow and red |
| Mali | Vertical tricolor of green, yellow and red |
So while the colors may have changed, the basic vertical tricolor design and symbolic meanings were often inspired by the French model.
Enduring Symbol of France
Although it emerged from the turmoil of revolution, the French tricolor flag has become an enduring symbol of national identity. The blue, white and red banner evokes the revolutionary quest for liberty, equality and fraternity which remain core values for the French Republic.
Flown proudly for over 200 years, the iconic French flag and its meaning have made it one of the most recognizable national symbols in the world today. With its origins in French history and influence across the globe, the French tricolor will continue to be a visual representation of France for generations to come.
