Netherlands Flag Coloring Page Download
Netherlands Flag Description
The flag of the Netherlands, also known as the “Flag of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,” consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width. The top stripe is red, the middle stripe is white, and the bottom stripe is blue. The flag has a ratio of 2:3, meaning that its width is 1.5 times its height.
The history of the Dutch flag dates back to the 16th century when the Netherlands gained independence from Spain during the Eighty Years’ War. At that time, the Dutch Republic used a flag known as the “Prince’s Flag,” which consisted of three horizontal stripes of orange, white, and blue. The orange stripe represented the House of Orange-Nassau, the ruling family of the Netherlands.
However, in the early 17th century, the orange dye used to create the orange stripe started to fade quickly, resulting in the orange stripe appearing more red. As a result, the orange stripe was gradually replaced with a red one, and the flag became known as the “Statenvlag” or “States Flag.”
During the French occupation of the Netherlands in the late 18th century, the French introduced the tricolor flag, which consisted of three vertical stripes of blue, white, and red. This flag influenced the design of the current Dutch flag, which was officially adopted on February 19, 1937.
The colors of the Dutch flag have various symbolic interpretations. The red color represents bravery and valor, the white color symbolizes peace and honesty, and the blue color represents loyalty and justice. Additionally, the red, white, and blue combination is often associated with the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The Dutch flag is widely recognized and used in various contexts, including official government buildings, military establishments, and during national holidays and events. It is also commonly displayed by Dutch citizens to show their national pride and identity.