tricolour

Tricolour refers to a flag that uses three colors arranged in three parallel stripes. The stripes are usually of equal width; the arrangement may be vertical or horizontal. Some tricolours include a central emblem or coat of arms, but the three-color pattern remains the defining feature.

Historically, the modern tricolour became prominent during the late 18th century, influenced by the French Revolution. France adopted a vertical blue, white, and red tricolour in the 1790s, a design that inspired many later flags. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, numerous countries adopted tricolours to symbolize national identity, liberty, or republican ideals.

Color symbolism in tricolours is not universal. Colors carry meanings that are specific to each country, regional tradition, or historical context. For example, France associates blue and red with liberty and revolution and white with the monarchy or national unity, though meanings vary by source.

Notable examples include France (vertical blue–white–red), Italy (vertical green–white–red), Ireland (vertical green–white–orange), the Netherlands (horizontal red–white–blue), and Russia (horizontal white–blue–red). Spain's flag is red–yellow–red with a central coat of arms; it remains a tricolour in form but includes an emblem.

Beyond national flags, tricolours appear in regional, municipal, and ceremonial banners. The term tricolour is commonly used in British English; in American usage, it is often written tricolor.