Flag of France

Official Palette

• #002395
• #FFFFFF
• #ED2939

Symbolism

The blue and red colors are the traditional colors of Paris, used on the city's coat of arms. White is the color of the House of Bourbon, which ruled France for centuries. The tricolor represents the union of the people with the monarchy, though today it is primarily seen as a symbol of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

History

The 'Drapeau Tricolore' was born during the French Revolution of 1789. It was designed by the Marquis de Lafayette, who combined the white of the king with the blue and red of the Paris militia.

Construction

The flag is a vertical tricolor with a 2:3 ratio. While the stripes appear equal, they are often manufactured with a 30:33:37 proportion (Blue being the narrowest) for maritime use to make them look equal when flying in the wind.

Color Meanings

Lookalike Comparison

Side-by-side analysis of high-confusion flags, comparing exact color shades, proportions, and historical divergence.

Direct Lookalike Comparison

France 2:3

Netherlands 2:3

Quick Tell

France is a vertical blue-white-red; the Netherlands is a horizontal red-white-blue.

Historical Divergence

France adopted the vertical tricolor on February 15, 1794. Maritime French flags are often cut 30:33:37.

Practice in Similarities Mode

Flags with resemblance

Same blue, white, and red. France is vertical, blue at the hoist; the Netherlands is horizontal, red on top.

Related flags

Flag Protocol

• The bands are often adjusted in width for maritime use to appear equal
• Must be respected as a global symbol of revolution and liberty