HOW THE TRICOLOR GOT ITS STRIPES

Flags are a proud symbol of national identity and this readable guide to the stories of dozens of flags worldwide explains their origins, symbolism, and the way the designs have evolved over the years in response to changing political backgrounds. The French Revolution of the late 18th century inspired the red, white and blue flag representing the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity, with numerous false starts as to the order of the colours and the width of the stripes. The motif of the Fleur de Lys appeared on the French flag at different times, and was incorporated into the British coat of arms during the Hundred Years' War when Britain laid claim to the throne of France, with George III finally removing it in 1801. During the 72 days of the Paris Commune in 1871 the French flag was changed to solid red, resulting in a permanent association of red with Communism, seen in the flags of the Soviet republics and China. The Italian flag was created during the 19th century risorgimento, the struggle for a unified nation, and while there is no definite certainty about the origin of the three colours red, white and green, modern Italians often connect it with the colours of tomato, mozzarella and basil. The French colony of Haiti used the French colours but took out the white stripe, possibly in protest against slavery as they were the world's first republic established by former slaves. This made their flag effectively the same as that of Liechtenstein so both countries introduced a heraldic motif. In the 1970s President Bokassa of the Central African republic, a man accused of many unmentionable crimes, fell under the influence of another dictator, President Gaddafi of Libya, modelling himself on Napoleon and introducing an Islamic crescent moon and star into the nation's flag. Pan-African, Pan-Arabic, Scandinavian and other regions are covered in this fascinating vexillogical study. 14.4 x 28 cm, 256pp, colour flags on most pages.