The Netherlands, like any country, has its own national flag. You probably recognise the Dutch flag (a horizontal tricolour of red, white and blue), but how much do you know about its significance and history?
History & evolution of the Dutch flag
The flag of the Netherlands evolved from the original "Prince’s Flag". The initial orange, white and blue design was created in the wake of the Prince of Orange’s martial success in 1572. However, the Dutch flag was adapted to the current tricolour version when it was realised that this would be more easily visible at sea.
The flag of the Netherlands is the world’s oldest tricolour - beating France, Italy and Ireland, among others.
Modern usage of the Dutch flag
Today, the Dutch flag is still employed at important national events. For instance, it frequently appears during formal political events and is ubiquitous during royal events. The flag of the Netherlands also features heavily at sports events - particularly football matches and prestigious international competitions such as the Olympics. During the annual King’s Day (formerly Queen’s Day) celebrations in the Netherlands, the national flag seems to be planted on every house, street and face in the country.
Flags of countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Although the Dutch Empire is long gone, some foreign countries remain under the official rule of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Below are the flags of Aruba, Sint Maarten and Curaçao.
Flag of Flevoland
Dating from 1986, the flag of Flevoland is tierced in green, yellow and blue, and bears a white fleur-de-lis. The flag is a reference to how the province was reclaimed from the IJsselmeer, with the blue representing water and the green representing land.
Friesland flag
Friesland adopted its flag in 1957. It bears four blue and three white diagonal stripes, bearing seven red leaves - which resemble hearts but are actually supposed to represent the leaves of the yellow water-lily. The leaves are a reference to the seven "sea countries" of the Middle Ages who allied themselves again the Vikings.
Gelderland flag
Gelderland's flag is a simple horizontal tricolour of blue, yellow and black. It was first used in 1953, and the colours originate in the coat of arms of the Gelderland.
Groningen flag
The provincial flag of Groningen bears a green cross outlined in white, with red in two corners and blue in the other two corners. It was officially adopted in 1950 and combines elements and colours from the local coat of arms and the city of Groningen.
Flag of Limburg
The flag of Limburg bears three stripes of white, blue and yellow, with the blue stripe about half the size of the other two stripes. The blue stripe supposedly symbolises the Meuze, the largest river that flows through Limburg, while the yellow and white represent the geography of the province. It bears a red lion rampant, which refers to the old Duchy of Limburg.
North Brabant flag
North Branbant has an eye-catching flag of 24 red and white cheques. It has been in use since the Middle Ages. Historically, it was the most important provincial flag of the Netherlands, and until 2006 hung immediately to the right of the throne of the monarch in the Ridderzaal. In 2006, the flags were replaced by a tapestry.
North Holland flag
North Holland's flag is a tricolour of yellow, red and blue, colours taken from the coat of arms of North Holland. It has been in use since 1958.
Flag of Overijssel
The wavy blue stripe through the centre of the flag of Overijssel represents the river IJssel, after which the province is named. The yellow and red stripes represent the region's link with the province of Holland.
South Holland flag
South Holland's flag was adopted in 1985 and shows a red lion rampant against a yellow background. Yellow and red are the traditional colours of Holland.
Flag of Utrecht
The pronvicial flag of Utrecht is a bicolour of red and white, with a square bearing a white cross in the top left corner. It is similar to the flag of Poland.
Flag of Zeeland
The flag of Zeeland, adopted in 1949, shows the crown and shield of Zeeland against a background of wavy white and blue stripes, which are supposed to represent the province's constant battle against water.
Dutch city flags
Each city in the Netherlands maintains its own individual flag.
Amsterdam flag
Most people recognise the flag of Amsterdam - the iconic "XXX".
Eindhoven flag
The flag of Eindhoven shows two verticla stripes in red and white, intersected with five horizontal stripes in red and white.
Maastricht flag
The flag of Maastricht is a simple white star against a red background.
Rotterdam flag
Adopted in 1949, the flag of Rotterdam is a horizontal green and white triband - colours that have been associated with the city since the Middle Ages.
Utrecht flag
Better known than the provincial flag, the municipal flag of Utrecht was adopted in 1990 and shows to diagonally divided red and white pennons. It was derived from the municipal coat of arms.
The Hague flag
In use since 1920, the flag of The Hague is a yellow and green bicolour.
