three equal horizontal bands of red (bright vermilion
top), white, and blue (cobalt)
similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer
the colors were derived from those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century
originally the upper band was orange, but because its dye tended to turn red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color
the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use
