The Flag of Netherlands - Description of the Dutch Flag
As the above picture of the Dutch Flag indicates the overall background is Red, White and Blue
The description of the Dutch Flag is as follows:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Dutch flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The people of the Netherlands refer to themselves as Nederlanders, or Netherlanders, but are also known as the Dutch
The Netherlands is often called Holland which officially refers to the western part of the country
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Dutch flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The History of the Netherlands Flag
The first Dutch flag, the Cross of Burgundy, was used in the 15th century and united all of the Netherlands provinces under the banner of the Lord of Burgundy on joint expeditions. The flag consisted of a white background with an emblem consisting of two bundles of red laurel branches in the shape of an 'X' with flames from the intersection
The Prince's Flag, a tricolour of Orange, White and Blue - The Prince of Orange led a revolt against King Philip II of Spain and the Prince's Flag was used during the Dutch war of independence (the Eighty Years War)
A Royal Decree was issued on February 19 1937, by Queen Wilhelmina, and the Red, White and Blue colors of the Dutch National flag were adopted. An orange pennant, together with the national flag, is still flown as a sign of allegiance of the Dutch people to the House of Orange
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Dutch Flag Etiquette
Dutch Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Dutch as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Dutch
State Flag of Dutch
Military Flag of Dutch (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Dutch
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Dutch Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Dutch should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Dutch flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Dutch should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Dutch flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Dutch, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Dutch Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Dutch flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Dutch flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Dutch flag to the top, then lowering the Dutch Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Dutch flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Dutch flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Dutch flag
The Dutch flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Dutch flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Dutch flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Dutch Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Dutch Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Netherlands
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Land Size of Netherlands : 33,883 sq km
Climate / Weather of Netherlands : temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Dutch Population : 16,318,199 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : n/a
Dutch Capital City: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
Dutch GDP: $461.4 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing
Main Colors of the Dutch Flag : Red, White and Blue
The Celts and Ancient Dutch History
Bronze and Iron Age - The emergence of the Celts across Europe
400BC - By this time the ancient culture of the Celts had settled in many European countries including Austria, Britain, France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Western Germany, Northern Spain, Turkey and Hungary
The Celts were people from various tribes and were called Galli by the Romans and Galatai or Keltoi by the Greeks. These terms all had one meaning in common - barbarian
It is from the Greek word Keltoi that Celt is derived
Despite the name of Barbarian the Celtic society was based almost entirely on pastoralism and the raising of cattle or sheep
15 BC The Romans had begun to extend their empire. Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Roman name for the region of Europe occupied by the Celts. The word Gaul commonly refers to a Celt inhabitant of that region in ancient times
224 - 220 BC - Rome conquered the Celts
390 BC - The Celts sacked Rome
280 BC - The Celts sacked many Greek cities
390 BC - The Celts sacked Rome
50's BC - Julius Caesar conquered much of the Low Countries, including what is now the Netherlands
50 -100AD - The spread of Christianity
400s AD The Franks drove the Romans out of the region
476 AD The Roman Empire collapsed
Middle Ages - Various different cultures emerged in the lands of the Celts and the history of each country changed accordingly
870 The Netherlands became part of the East Frankish kingdom (which is now Germany - the West Frankish kingdom is now France)
The above information provides a concise background to the Ancient Dutch civilisations
Concise History of Netherlands & its Flag
1300s-1400s The French Dukes of Burgundy united the Low Countries
1477 Mary of Burgundy married Maximilian, of the House of Habsburg thus joining the Low Countries with the Habsburg Empire
1516 The Catholic King Charles I of Spain ruled the Netherlands
1519 King Charles I of Spain became Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V
1500s The Protestant Reformation swept through Europe and the Dutch Protestants were persecuted by the Roman Catholics
1556 The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, gave control of the Low Countries to his son, King Philip II of Spain
1568 William I, the Prince of Orange, led a revolt against the Spanish government
1573 - 1574 The siege of Leiden between the rebels and the Spanish. 1574 The dikes were opened allowing a Dutch fleet to sail over the flood waters and rescue Leiden
1579 Union of Utrecht The southern provinces of the Low Countries (which is now Belgium) wanted to return to Spanish control but the Dutch rebels continued with the revolt
26 July 1581 The Dutch declared their independence from Spain
1602 The Dutch East India Company was formed in Jakarta, Indonesia
1600's The expansion of the Dutch East India colonies, including Sri Lanka, continued due to the massive Dutch sea power. Dutch Traders were the only Europeans allowed to trade with Japan
1621 The Dutch West India Company was founded and the colonies of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware were founded
1630-1654 The Dutch conquered Brazil
1648 Spain recognized Dutch independence
1689 William III was married to Mary the daughter of King James II of England
1689-1702 William and Mary ruled England
1689-1714 France fought with the Netherlands
1700s The Dutch aided the Americans during the the American Revolution and were drawn into a war against the British when they were defeated
1795-1813 France and Napoleon conquered the Netherlands
1813 The Dutch defeated the French
1814 William VI, prince of Orange, became King William I of the Netherlands
1800's Belgium and Luxembourg became independent
1914-1918 World War I - the Netherlands remained neutral
1940 German troops invaded the Netherlands and the country was occupied until the end of WWII in 1945
August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
The Dutch Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Dutch Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
