Red, white, blue. Whose flag is so beautiful?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

State symbols of many states are designed in this color scheme. The American Stars and Stripes is often referred to in songs and poetry as "Red White and Blue" (red, white, blue). The flag of the Russian Federation is also designed in these colors, which caused many imitations among the newly formed Slavic states in the nineteenth century (Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia).

Different-different, blue-white-red

These colors are common in the heraldry of countries on other continents. The state symbols of Thailand and Costa Rica are so similar that it is not so easy to distinguish where whose flag is. Red, white, blue medium (twice as wide), then again a white and red stripe - in Thailand. Costa Rican colors are reversed except for white.

But really in this sequence, from top to bottom, the colors are only on the banners of three countries. These are Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Croatia.

Croatian tricolor with coat of arms

The constitution of each country specifies the proportions of the sidesone of the most important state symbols. The Croatian tricolor consists of three colors (red, white, blue). The flag is twice as long as it is wide. There is a coat of arms in the center, and it is not easy. Not only is the shield divided into red cells (there are 25 of them), it is also crowned with a royal crown, consisting of five segments, representing the icons of Slavonia, Dalmatia, the Republic of Dubrovnik, Istria and Croatia itself. The coat of arms is very old, it has been known for almost a thousand years, and each of its elements is filled with deep meaning. 1848 was the date when Josip Jelačić took over the duties of Ban, wearing an outfit that combined these three colors: red, white, blue. The flag has since symbolized national unity. Thanks to the coat of arms, a rather complex figure, it is easy to distinguish the Croatian team at any sports competitions.

Dutch Royal Flag

Very similar to the Croatian symbol of the Dutch flag, white-red-blue. The country acquired it much later, in 1648, when on the traditional standard of the Prince of Orange, the upper orange stripe gave way to a red revolutionary field. Then, in 1815, the Netherlands became a kingdom, but nothing changed. Interestingly, there is a version explaining the reason for such a color scheme. Practical Dutch sailors noticed that the orange fabric quickly sheds on flagpoles, unlike the red one. But during solemn holidays celebrated with royal splendor, they also remember the old monarchical symbol and, along with state paraphernalia, hang out andhim, with an orange top stripe.

Luxembourg and a flag related to the Netherlands

One more European flag - red, white, blue - is sustained in the common colors. The horizontally arranged colors have de facto symbolized the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 1815. True, it was officially approved relatively recently, in 1972. The proportions of the sides are also original, they can change - either three to five, or one to two.

The similarity of the flags of the two neighboring countries is explained by the fact that the Dutch King Willem I, who ascended the throne in 1815, combined two positions, he was also the Duke of Luxembourg. It was he who introduced this flag, with only one caveat: the lower blue stripe became lighter. History is silent on whether this is due to sunburn.

The similarity haunts some parliamentarians. HSNP (Christian Social People's Party), through the mouth of its leader Michel Voltaire, proposed to replace the colors reminiscent of the former unity with the Netherlands, and therefore, perhaps, annoying colors: red, white, blue. The Red Lion flag, proposed as the new state symbol, is already in use in civil courts and has a long history associated with roy alty. It is possible that the constitutional amendment will be adopted, and Luxembourgers can be congratulated on the new flag. Moreover, the idea is supported by the majority of the population.