Ancien Régime in France
During the period of the Ancien Régime, starting in the early 17th century, the royal standard of France became a plain white flag as a symbol of purity , sometimes covered in fleur-de-lis when in the presence of the king or bearing the ensigns of the Order of the Holy Spirit.
What was the earlier form of the French flag?
The royal coat of arms, a blue shield with three golden fleurs-de-lis , was the basis for the state flag. After the Bourbons came to power, that shield was generally displayed against a background of the Bourbon dynastic colour, white. Historical fleurs-de-lis flag of France.
What were the earlier forms of the French flag?
During the early Middle Ages, the oriflamme, the flag of Saint Denis, was used—red, with two, three, or five spikes. Originally, it was the royal banner under the Capetians . It was stored in Saint-Denis abbey, where it was taken when war broke out.
What is the French flag called and why?
French Flag Facts
The national flag of France is known as the “Le drapeau tricolore” and is a very famous tricolor flag. It is called a ‘tricolor’ flag as it has three equal vertical bands of blue, white, and red.
When was the new French flag made?
The design debuted in 1790 and was revised in 1794 with a reversal of the red and blue stripes. The original French flag was used again during the French Revolution, but the tricolor flag was brought back after the conflict.
What does the French flag symbolize?
The colors symbolize nobility (blue), clergy (white), and bourgeois (red), which were the estates of the old regime in France. When the Tricolour was formally adopted in 1794, its colors symbolized the values of the French Revolution: liberty, equality, brotherhood, democracy, secularism, and modernization .
What was the political situation in France at the time?
Answer: During this period, French citizens razed and redesigned their country’s political landscape , uprooting centuries-old institutions such as absolute monarchy and the feudal system.
Why is white in the middle of the French flag?
The Paris militia played a prominent role during the storming of the Bastille and this heightened the fame of the blue and red colours. It is believed, as recounted by Lafayette, that white was added in the middle to represent the ancient colour of France . As a result, the tricolour of France was born.
What does a white flag symbolize?
In more recent history, the white flag has become an internationally recognized symbol not only for surrender but also for the wish to initiate ceasefires and conduct battlefield negotiations.
What is the motto of France?
Marianne and the motto of the Republic. Marianne is the embodiment of the French Republic. Marianne represents the permanent values that found her citizens’ attachment to the Republic: “ Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” .
What is special about the French flag?
The French flag is known as the “Le drapeau tricolore” as it has three equal vertical bands of blue, white, and red. 2. The white in the flag represents the Bourbon monarchy which ruled France from the late 16th Century AD until the French Revolution. It is also the colour of the Virgin Mary and Joan of Arc.
Why is France referred to as the hexagon?
The Hexagon (L’hexagone) is the nickname of France for French people. This is because the country is roughly six sided . Just like we call Australia “Down Under” the French affectionately refer to their country as The Hexagon. France is the fifth biggest economy in the world and the second biggest economy in Europe.
What is a French flower?
Iris as the French national flower has a long history. The ancient royal family of France used the flower as their emblem for centuries. In a religious sense, the three petals of the iris symbolize the Trinity.
How many times did the French flag change?
A modified design by Jacques-Louis David was adopted in 1794 . The royal white flag was used during the Bourbon Restoration from 1815 to 1830; the tricolour was brought back after the July Revolution and has been used ever since 1830, except with a brief interruption for a few days in 1848.
What does the France flag mean for kids?
These three colors are intricately linked to the history of France. While the color white represents the Bourbon monarchy , and the red and blue are the colors of the city of Paris. The French flag has its origin in the liberal ideas of the French Revolution of 1789.
Which countries did the French armies move into?
Their activities and campaigns prepared the way for the French armies which moved into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland and much of Italy in the 1790s. With the outbreak of the revolutionary wars, the French armies began to carry the idea of nationalism abroad.
