Before the French Revolution, the French flag consisted of three vertical bands of white, blue, and red. The white band represented the monarchy, the blue band represented the clergy, and the red band represented the nobility. The flag was first flown in 1789 during the storming of the Bastille and became the official flag of France in 1794.
Pre-French Revolution French Flag Structure
Before the French Revolution in 1789, the French flag was known as the “Royal Flag” and had a different structure and symbolism compared to the modern tricolor flag.
Structure:
The pre-revolutionary French flag consisted of a white field with three vertical bands of blue, white, and red. The bands ran parallel to the flagpole, with the blue band on the left, the white band in the middle, and the red band on the right.
Symbolism:
The blue band was said to represent the sky, the white band the monarchy, and the red band a combination of the traditional colors of the royal house of France, the Capetians, who used blue and red in their coat of arms.
Table of Pre-Revolutionary French Flag Colors:
| Color | Symbolism |
|---|---|
| Blue | Sky |
| White | Monarchy |
| Red | Royal house of France (Capetians) |
Design Variations:
The exact proportions and shades of the colors used in the pre-revolutionary French flag varied over time. The royal standard, used by the king, often featured additional elements such as golden fleurs-de-lis or the royal coat of arms.
Evolution:
The pre-revolutionary French flag underwent several changes after the French Revolution. The blue and red bands were kept, but the white band was replaced with a black band, representing the revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality. The black band was later removed, and the current tricolor flag was adopted in 1848.
Question 1:
What did the French flag look like before the French Revolution?
Answer:
The French flag before the French Revolution consisted of a white field with three golden fleurs-de-lis arranged in a vertical row on the left side.
Question 2:
What does tricolour symbolize?
Answer:
The tricolour of the French flag (blue, white, and red) represents the three estates of French society before the French Revolution: the clergy (blue), the nobility (white), and the commoners (red).
Question 3:
How many tricolours were there before the French Revolution?
Answer:
There were numerous tricolours in France before the French Revolution, with various colour combinations and designs representing different provinces, cities, and factions.
Whew! That was quite the history lesson, wasn’t it? From banners of saints to the famous tricolore, the French flag has come a long way. Thanks for sticking with me through this historical journey. If you’re craving for more fascinating tales about the French Revolution or other intriguing topics, be sure to drop by again soon. Until then, keep exploring and learning!