Historically, known as the economic hub in terms of trade and travel and now recognized as one of the most modern places in the world. It’s also considered to be a leader amongst European nations. Featuring a tricolour flag with three vertical bands in the color of white, blue and red, makes the France flag very unique and versatile. The Tricolor has become one of the most influential ones in the history, which many European countries and other countries have duplicated.
The Tricolor flag soon became a symbol of independence and liberty during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. The Tricolor remained in the minds of the Frenchmen who are linked with the creation of the modern French Republic. Interestingly, all three vertical bands on the flag have the same width, while blue is located on the left side, red on the right and white in the centre. Before going into further details, let’s first explore the history of the flag.
History of the French Flag
Before the French Revolution, France was represented by a plain white flag only. the historic times, particularly in that of French Revolution ones, the Tricolor was brought together in the form of a cockade. Later in 1789, just before taking of Bastille, Paris was in a lot of tension. This is when Paris came up with two color cockade, blue and red. Further, in 1794, the law of 27 pluviôse came up with tricolore as the national flag.
The famous painter, Jacques-Louis David recommended that blue should be flown nearest the flagstaff. Thereon, throughout the 19th century, this flag was used, though faced by many backlashes and criticism, the flag surpassed all and today we have a Tricolor flag for France. It’s a part of the national emblem of the Republic. Today, the French flag serves as a backdrop whenever the president addresses the public.
Symbolism of the French Flag
According to experts, blue and red color is taken from Paris where blue represents Saint Martin and red represents Saint Denis. Additionally, the white colour represents the monarchy and the Republic. The design overall represents a cockade used by revolutionaries.
White is the color that represented the House of Bourbon who ruled France for a long period of time, therefore it represents the king. Likewise, the revolutionaries wore red and blue cockades (ribbons) when they went to Bastille in 1789. Therefore, the blue and red color symbolises that on the flag. The Frenchmen are very particular about such aspects, therefore the flag was carefully crafted with 2:3 dimensions, where the width exceeds the height, but the width of each of the vertical band, stays the same.
Though just a rumor for most part, but non-official meaning of the colors on the flag include, red being the color of bourgeois, blue for nobility and white for clergy. A of which were estates of old regime in France. It is important to note that, these three fall in the category of France’s colors too. The French people have a lot of respect for their flag owing to its history and symbolism.
Fun Facts about France’s - French Flag
- The flag of France is considered to be one of the most significant and influential one about the world because of the Tricolor.
- It is flown in the town halls, official state buildings, public buildings, as well as in important public national holidays.
- It is also known as the French Tricolore or Tricolor.
- When it was initially adopted in the 1790s, the order of the colors was different: red, white, blue.
- It was in 1794 when the order has changed to the current one which is blue, white, red.
- It was initially adopted on 5 March 1848.
- It was designed by Lafayette, Jacques-Louis David.
- The initial flag of France was not evenly proportioned.
- The Tricolor flag represents new beginning, democracy, liberty as well as opportunity for the people of France.
- It is illegal to destroy the flag in public, if done so, it subjected to punishment by law.
- Many countries copied the French flag including Africa and other countries.
- There was a time when the colors were dark in the flag of France, at present, both dark and light versions of the flag are used.
- The colors on the flag also represent the medieval society of France, divided into three categories.
- There was a time when the flag of France was plain blue in color, but later on changed into Tricolor, inspired by the French Revolution.
On a concluding note, France is famous for many things, like it’s delicious cuisines, the historical monuments and it’s Tricolor flag. It is one of the main places of tourist attraction.
The respect paid to the Tricolor flag is indescribable as the constitution of France carries some laws relating to it, therefore, violation of any, would lead to serious consequences, depending upon the severity of violation. It is raised on special occasions with much care and dignity.
The crux of the topic is that the rich history of France has led to many versions of the flag, with plain colors as well as multi colored, but the influence of the Tricolor was extreme, not just limited to the spheres of France, but around the world. Moreover, the significance of the flag is such that it served as a new beginning for the people of France, with more liberty to exercise their own rights and freedom in general.