F.F.F.F: FRENCH FLAG FUN FACTS !

As you might have noticed the French flag has 3 vertical color bands (from left to right): blue, white and red.  The colors allude to the first French Tricouleur flag.  During the French Revolution white, was teamed with the colors of the French militia, blue and red, to form the tricolor army which would represent France for the years to come. Members of the Parisian militia which stormed the Bastille on July 14, 1789 had worn blue and red cockades on their hats. To provide the blue and the red a national appeal, Marquis de La Fayette, the French leader suggested including a white cockade to the uniform of the National Guard.

 According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions the colors have the following meaning:

-          White: Honesty and peace

-          Red: bravery, strength ,hardiness and self -assurance

-          Blue: truth, loyalty, perseverance, justice and vigilance

Did you know that…

-          Prior to the French Revolution, France had traditionally been represented by the plain white flag - a sign of purity and strength!

-          The French tricolor flag was officially adopted on February 15, 1794.

-          The French flag was designed by Jacques-Louis David; however not everyone agrees with this

-          On July 14 1790 The Champ the Mars, a large grassy field near the Eiffel Tower, was festooned with tricolor flags to celebrate the federation and this is how it became the symbol of the nation. [As you may have noticed this day matches the Day of the Bastille. Just to remember the Bastille was stormed on July 14 1789]

-          In 1790 the flag was actually red, white, and blue and by 1794 the current form (blue, white, and red) was approved

-          The naval ensign of France has the same colors but with a different aspect ratio.

Flag Terminology Curious facts!

-          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 and therefore if you are interested in flags you are a Vexillologist!

-          Hoist:  the act or function of raising the French flag, as on a rope

-          Distress:  is denoted by flying the French flag upside-down

-          The French flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously

-          The French flag (as many other flags) should never be allowed to drag along the ground

-          A Flag of French, when is no longer in use or looks mistreated, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning it in private with all due care and respect