The flags, in addition to representing different countries or institutions, have behind them a history and specific meanings that link them with each of the elements that make them up. A good example of this can be found in the French flag , a flag that, although it is currently perfectly recognizable throughout the world, hides a history that has made it end up with the tricolor configuration that we know.
In fact, during the modern history of France, the flag of this country changed its configuration and colors on several occasions, always coinciding with the political changes that took place from the monarchy of the Old Regime to the current configuration. If you want to know the meaning of the French flag, keep reading aHOWTO, we’ll tell you!
General data of the flag of France
The flag of France is the national flag recognized by the French government and nation. It is composed of three colors ( blue, white and red ) that are distributed in three vertical stripes arranged from left to right in a rectangular flag, leaving the colors blue and red at the ends and reserving the white space for the center of the flag. All fringes have the same thickness and the same length.
This flag was adopted for the first time on February 15, 1794 and, after several changes to the national flag, it was decided to recover it with some modifications compared to the original. The current flag, with the proportions and colors that are maintained today, dates from May 17, 1853.
Origin and meaning of the flag of France
Before the French Revolution (1789), the national color of France was white, which was associated with the monarchy and absolutist power. However, in the revolutionary climate, different elements associated with political symbology began to be used, in this context, it was in this context that the idea of the French tricolor flag that is used today arose for the first time.
During the period of the Revolution, the government of the city of Paris ordered that those citizens who were armed had the obligation to be duly identified with the colors of the city flag. The flag of the city of Paris was a square flag, made up of two vertical stripes, one blue and the other red. For this reason, these colors became the ones that armed citizens should wear.
However, after the day July 14, 1789, the people rebelled and took the Bastille prison and after the corresponding negotiations, the determination was reached to unite these colors (red and blue), associated with the people and the citizens, with the white color of the monarchy, since, at that time, the monarchy was still reigning.
Consequently, the first concept of the tricolor flag of France arose. This flag unified the blue and red colors of the city of Paris with the white of the monarchy, implying that this flag was an expression of the union of the people and the monarchy. In fact, later on, it was King Louis XVI himself who placed these colors on his hat, an act he carried out in front of the people, as a clear sign that he accepted the new approaches that defended that sovereignty came from the people and not directly from God. However, this was not enough for the Revolution to cease, and, later, the French people ended up overthrowing the monarchy and establishing the
The Restoration of 1814
Although with the overthrow of the monarchy the French flag remained as the tricolor, this did not last long. In fact, when the monarchy was restored in France in 1814, so did the old emblem of monarchical power, that is, the white flag that had been used by the monarchy before the tricolor.
However, when the Revolution of 1830 took place , which led France once again to overthrow the monarchy and establish a new republican system, the white flag was also eliminated, which led to the recovery of the tricolor flag that had been used to from 1789.
If you have been interested in this explanation and want to learn more about the history of different countries, do not miss the following articles:
- Meaning of the flag and coat of arms of Mexico
- What is the meaning of the United States flag
- Meaning of the Colombian flag
- Meaning of the flag of Venezuela
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