| p>The national flag of France is a tricolor flag | | | | Another take is that the colors and design of the flag |
| showcasing three colored vertical panels of red, white | | | | of France were influenced by the Dutch flag and that |
| and blue on the hoist side. In French it is referred to as | | | | its symbolic meanings were just attributed afterwards. |
| 'drapeau français', 'drapeau tricolore,' and 'les | | | | In most French schools, it is taught that the French |
| couleurs' in military vernacular. Originally, it featured the | | | | flag's colors represent the three key estates of the |
| French traditional emblem on the arms, the lily or | | | | Ancien Régime: white for the clergy, red for |
| fleur-de-lis, during the 12th Century. The French flag | | | | nobility and blue for the bourgeoisie. The white color |
| was flown during the Revolution and has since | | | | may have also been associated with Joan of Arc. |
| become renowned all over the world as a symbol of | | | | Sine 1358, blue and red have been the official colors of |
| liberty. | | | | Paris and were used by the followers of the leader of |
| One theory about the flag's symbolism is that the blue | | | | the Parisian revolution, Etienne Marcel. In 1794, the |
| and red colors represent Paris while the white is | | | | blue-white-red tricolor was officially taken up by the |
| associated with the Bourbon Dynasty. It is said by | | | | Convention, with the royal white color supposedly |
| some that the values ascribed to these colors are | | | | having been added by the Commander of the Guard, |
| taken from the primary principles of the French | | | | Lafayette. |
| Revolution, namely freedom, equality, and brotherhood. | | | | |