Dutch flag & national symbols of the Netherlands
The red-white-blue tricolor, the lion with seven arrows, the world's oldest national anthem and how to fly the flag correctly.
Most expats arriving in the Netherlands first meet the Dutch flag on a tram or government building, then on a school exam day with a backpack hanging from the pole, and finally during the moment of silence on Remembrance Day on 4 May. This guide explains where the red-white-blue tricolor comes from, what the lion-and-seven-arrows coat of arms means, why Het Wilhelmus is the oldest national anthem still in use, and how to fly the flag correctly across the year. Pair it with our King's Day guide and the Dutch customs & etiquette guide.
Quick answer
- Flag: horizontal red-white-blue tricolor, officially fixed by royal decree on 19 February 1937.
- Origin: evolved from the orange-white-blue Prinsenvlag tied to William of Orange (16th century).
- Anthem: Het Wilhelmus, written 1568-1572, officially adopted 10 May 1932. Oldest national anthem still in use.
- Motto: Je maintiendrai (French for "I will maintain").
- Half-mast: 4 May (18:00 to sunset) for Remembrance Day; raised again on 5 May Liberation Day.
Dutch flags, orange pennants and King's Day gear
Whether you want a proper outdoor Nederlandse vlag (typically 100 x 150 cm with the official 2:3 ratio), an orange pennant (wimpel) for royal birthdays, or a flagpole bracket for a balcony, Amazon.nl ships across the Netherlands. Most households use a polyester flag for daily use and reserve a higher-quality woven flag for big occasions.
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Table of contents
The Dutch flag: history and colours
From Prinsenvlag to red-white-blue
The earliest version of the Dutch flag was the Prinsenvlag (Prince's Flag): horizontal stripes of orange, white and blue. It emerged in the 1570s during the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule and was tied to Willem van Oranje (William of Orange), whose family colours were orange, white and blue. Dutch ships, soldiers and rebels (the Watergeuzen) used it as their banner.
From roughly the mid-17th century, the orange stripe was gradually replaced with red. The exact reason is still debated by historians: red dye was cheaper and more stable than orange, the change may have been politically motivated to distance the flag from the House of Orange during republican periods, and at sea red was simply more visible against water and sky. By the time of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands, the red-white-blue version had become standard, though both flags continued in parallel use for decades.
On 19 February 1937, Queen Wilhelmina signed a royal decree (Koninklijk Besluit) formally fixing the colours of the Dutch national flag as bright vermilion red, white and cobalt blue. That decree is still the legal basis for the flag's appearance today.
Specifications and similar flags
| Feature | Dutch flag | Luxembourg | Russia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe order (top → bottom) | Red, white, blue | Red, white, sky blue | White, blue, red |
| Blue shade | Cobalt blue | Lighter sky blue | Cobalt blue |
| Official ratio | 2:3 | 3:5 (also 1:2) | 2:3 |
| First codified | 19 Feb 1937 (royal decree) | 23 June 1972 | 1991 (re-adoption) |
Orange is not on the Dutch flag. It is the colour of the royal House of Orange-Nassau and appears as the orange pennant (wimpel) on royal birthdays, the King's Day dress code, and the national football shirt.
Coat of arms and "Je maintiendrai"
The Dutch coat of arms
The national coat of arms (Rijkswapen) features a golden lion on a blue shield, sprinkled with golden billets (small rectangles). The lion is crowned with the royal crown and holds:
- • A silver sword in its right paw, representing the defence of the country.
- • A bundle of seven golden arrows in its left paw, representing the seven provinces of the original Dutch Republic (1579): Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Friesland and Groningen.
The bundle of arrows expresses the old Dutch saying "eendracht maakt macht" (unity makes strength): individual arrows are easy to break, but bound together they cannot. The shield is held by two crowned lions, draped in a royal mantle and topped by the royal crown.
The motto: Je maintiendrai
Below the shield runs the national motto: Je maintiendrai, French for "I will maintain" or "I shall uphold". It comes from the personal motto of William of Orange, who used French as the diplomatic language of European nobility in the 16th century.
The full original motto was "Je maintiendrai Nassau" (I will uphold Nassau), referring to William's principality. After the Dutch Revolt and the founding of the Republic, the "Nassau" was dropped and the motto became simply Je maintiendrai, taken to mean upholding the country, its independence and its values.
Het Wilhelmus: the world's oldest national anthem
Origin and history
Het Wilhelmus (full title: "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe") was written between 1568 and 1572, during the early years of the Dutch Revolt against Philip II of Spain. The text is widely attributed to the Calvinist poet and statesman Philips van Marnix, Lord of Saint-Aldegonde. The melody is based on a French Huguenot battle song from around 1568.
The song is written from the perspective of William of Orange (Willem van Nassau) himself, addressing the Dutch people and explaining his cause. It is technically the world's oldest national anthem still in use today, although Japan's Kimigayo has older lyrics. The melody was already widely sung in the Republic during the 17th century at public events and military gatherings.
Despite its long popular use, Het Wilhelmus only became the official national anthem on 10 May 1932, replacing "Wien Neêrlands Bloed", which had served as the de facto anthem since 1815. At public events today, normally only the first and sixth verses are sung.
An acrostic on Willem van Nassov
One of the song's most striking features is that the first letters of each of the 15 verses, read top to bottom, spell out "WILLEM VAN NASSOV" (the old spelling of Willem van Nassau). This kind of acrostic was common in 16th-century devotional and political poetry.
Listen and learn: The anthem appears at major royal events (such as King's Day on 27 April), at Remembrance Day on 4 May, and before international sports matches involving the Dutch national team.
Het Wilhelmus: full 15-verse lyrics
Below is the original 16th-century Dutch text of all 15 verses. The first letters spell WILLEM VAN NASSOV. Verses 1 and 6 are the ones normally sung at public events.
1. Wilhelmus van Nassouwe
Wilhelmus van Nassouwe ben ik, van Duitsen bloed, den vaderland getrouwe blijf ik tot in den dood. Een Prinse van Oranje ben ik, vrij onverveerd, den Koning van Hispanje heb ik altijd geëerd.
2. In Godes vrees te leven
In Godes vrees te leven heb ik altijd betracht, daarom ben ik verdreven, om land, om luid' gebracht. Maar God zal mij regeren als een goed instrument, dat ik zal wederkeren in mijnen regiment.
3. Lijdt u, mijn onderzaten
Lijdt u, mijn onderzaten die oprecht zijt van aard, God zal u niet verlaten, al zijt gij nu bezwaard. Die vroom begeert te leven, bidt God nacht ende dag, dat Hij mij kracht wil geven, dat ik u helpen mag.
4. Lijf en goed al te samen
Lijf en goed al te samen heb ik u niet verschoond, mijn broeders hoog van namen hebben 't u ook vertoond: Graaf Adolf is gebleven in Friesland in den slag, zijn ziel in 't eeuwig leven verwacht den jongsten dag.
5. Edel en hooggeboren
Edel en hooggeboren, van keizerlijken stam, een vorst des rijks verkoren, als een vroom christenman, voor Godes woord geprezen, heb ik, vrij onversaagd, als een held zonder vreze mijn edel bloed gewaagd.
6. Mijn schild ende betrouwen
Mijn schild ende betrouwen zijt Gij, o God, mijn Heer, op U zo wil ik bouwen, verlaat mij nimmermeer. Dat ik toch vroom mag blijven, uw dienaar t'aller stond, de tirannie verdrijven die mij mijn hart doorwondt.
7. Van al die mij bezwaren
Van al die mij bezwaren en mijn vervolgers zijn, mijn God, wil doch bewaren den trouwen dienaar dijn, dat zij mij niet verrassen in hunnen bozen moed, hun handen niet en wassen in mijn onschuldig bloed.
8. Als David moeste vluchten
Als David moeste vluchten voor Sauel den tiran, zo heb ik moeten zuchten als menig edelman. Maar God heeft hem verheven, verlost uit alder nood, een koninkrijk gegeven in Israël zeer groot.
9. Na 't zuur zal ik ontvangen
Na 't zuur zal ik ontvangen van God mijn Heer dat zoet, daarna zo doet verlangen mijn vorstelijk gemoed: dat is, dat ik mag sterven met eren in dat veld, een eeuwig rijk verwerven als een getrouwen held.
10. Niet doet mij meer erbarmen
Niet doet mij meer erbarmen in mijnen wederspoed dan dat men ziet verarmen des Konings landen goed. Dat u de Spanjaards krenken, o edel Neerland zoet, als ik daaraan gedenke, mijn edel hart dat bloedt.
11. Als een prins opgezeten
Als een prins opgezeten met mijner heires-kracht, van den tiran vermeten heb ik den slag verwacht, die, bij Maastricht begraven, bevreesde mijn geweld; mijn ruiters zag men draven zeer moedig door dat veld.
12. Zo het den wil des Heren
Zo het den wil des Heren op dien tijd had geweest, had ik geern willen keren van u dit zwaar tempeest. Maar de Heer van hierboven, die alle ding regeert, die men altijd moet loven, en heeft het niet begeerd.
13. Zeer christlijk was gedreven
Zeer christlijk was gedreven mijn prinselijk gemoed, standvastig is gebleven mijn hart in tegenspoed. Den Heer heb ik gebeden uit mijnes harten grond, dat Hij mijn zaak wil redden, mijn onschuld maken kond.
14. Oorlof, mijn arme schapen
Oorlof, mijn arme schapen die zijt in groten nood, uw herder zal niet slapen, al zijt gij nu verstrooid. Tot God wilt u begeven, zijn heilzaam woord neemt aan, als vrome christen leven, 't zal hier haast zijn gedaan.
15. Voor God wil ik belijden
Voor God wil ik belijden en zijner groten macht, dat ik tot genen tijden den Koning heb veracht, dan dat ik God den Heere, der hoogsten Majesteit, heb moeten obediëren in der gerechtigheid.
Modernised Dutch spelling; original 16th-century text varies slightly across surviving sources. The first letters of verses 1-15 spell "WILLEM VAN NASSOV".
Flag etiquette: full-mast and half-mast
Official flag days (full-mast)
The Dutch government publishes an annual list of algemene vlaginstructie (general flag instructions) for government buildings. Households are encouraged, but not required, to follow the same schedule. The main full-mast days are:
| Date (2026) | Occasion | Orange pennant? |
|---|---|---|
| 31 January | Princess Beatrix's birthday | Yes |
| 27 April | King's Day (Koningsdag) | Yes |
| 4 May (evening) | Remembrance Day - half-mast 18:00 to sunset | No |
| 5 May | Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) | No |
| 7 May | Princess Amalia's birthday (Princess of Orange) | Yes |
| 17 May | Queen Máxima's birthday | Yes |
| 15 August | End of WWII in Asia (Indië-herdenking) | No |
| 3rd Tuesday September | Prinsjesdag (opening of parliament) | No |
| 15 December | Kingdom Day (Koninkrijksdag) | No |
| 27 April | King Willem-Alexander's birthday (same as King's Day) | Yes |
The orange pennant (oranje wimpel) is added above the flag on royal birthdays and royal celebrations only. On other flag days, the flag flies on its own. For King's Day specifics, see our King's Day expat guide.
Half-mast days
- • 4 May (Remembrance Day): the flag flies at half-mast from 18:00 until sunset. At 20:00, two minutes of silence are observed nationwide.
- • Death of a member of the royal family or other officially declared mourning periods (announced by the government).
- • Funerals of public figures where the government instructs half-mast flying.
Half-mast flying technically means the flag is first raised to the top of the pole and then lowered to a position roughly one flag-width below the top. When the flag is taken down at the end of the day, it is first raised back to the top before being lowered fully.
Practical rules
- • Fly the flag between sunrise and sunset, unless it is illuminated at night.
- • The flag should never touch the ground.
- • A torn, faded or damaged flag should be respectfully retired (folded and disposed of privately, or burned).
- • When flown next to other flags, the Dutch flag takes the place of honour (to the viewer's left when looking at the building).
The school exam flag tradition
One of the most charming Dutch traditions for new expats to spot is the vlag met schooltas (flag with school bag) on a household pole in June. When a child receives the news that they have passed their final secondary-school exams (geslaagd voor het examen), the family hangs the Dutch flag outside their home with the child's school bag dangling from the pole.
It is a uniquely Dutch celebration. There is no orange pennant; the school bag is the announcement to the neighbourhood. Friends and family will often ring the bell, bringing flowers and cake. If the result is uncertain, the flag stays down. Once the official results arrive (usually mid-June), entire streets in suburban towns can fill up with schoolbag-flags within a single afternoon.
Expat families with kids in the Dutch system can read more about exam dates and school structure in our school holidays & testing guide.
See Dutch history in person
The Rijksmuseum (flag artefacts and 17th-century maritime paintings), the Geuzenmuseum (Dutch Revolt and origins of the Wilhelmus) and the Binnenhof in The Hague (seat of parliament where the flag flies daily) all bring the symbols on this page to life. Browse guided history tours and skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide.
Browse Dutch history toursAffiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Other Dutch national symbols
The colour orange
Although orange is not on the flag, it is arguably the most visible national colour in Dutch public life. It comes from the House of Orange-Nassau, the royal family. You will see oranje everywhere on King's Day, at Oranjegekte (orange madness) during World Cup and European Championship football tournaments, and on the national football shirt.
National animal: the lion
The Dutch lion (Nederlandse leeuw) is the national symbol of strength and appears on the coat of arms, government buildings, military insignia and sports kits. The Oranje Leeuwinnen (Orange Lionesses) is the nickname of the women's national football team.
National flower: the tulip
Though originally from Central Asia, the tulip became the unofficial national flower after the 17th-century "tulip mania" speculative bubble. Tulip fields in spring (Lisse, Bollenstreek) are now one of the most photographed Dutch sights. See also our cherry blossom and spring guide.
Other recognisable symbols
- • Windmills (molens): still standing in Kinderdijk and Zaanse Schans, symbols of Dutch water management and ingenuity.
- • Bicycles (fietsen): not an official symbol, but globally associated with Dutch identity. See our cycling Netherlands guide.
- • Wooden shoes (klompen): historically worn by farmers and workers; today mostly souvenirs.
- • Cheese (kaas): Gouda and Edam are international synonyms for Dutch identity. See our cheese markets guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Dutch flag red, white and blue and not orange?
The original 16th-century flag was orange-white-blue (Prinsenvlag), tied to William of Orange. From roughly the mid-1600s the orange faded to red in everyday use, partly because red dye was cheaper and more stable than orange. A royal decree of 19 February 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina fixed the official colours as bright vermilion red, white and cobalt blue. Orange remains the colour of the royal House of Orange-Nassau and appears on King's Day and at sports events, but it is not on the flag itself.
Is the Dutch flag the same as the Luxembourg flag?
They are very close but not identical. Both are horizontal red-white-blue tricolors, but the Dutch flag uses a darker cobalt blue and a 2:3 ratio, while Luxembourg's flag uses a lighter sky blue and a longer 3:5 ratio. The Russian flag has the same colours in reverse order (white on top, then blue, then red).
When did the Wilhelmus become the official Dutch national anthem?
Het Wilhelmus was written between 1568 and 1572 during the Dutch Revolt and is considered the oldest national anthem still in use today. It was only officially adopted as the Dutch national anthem on 10 May 1932, replacing 'Wien Neêrlands Bloed' which had been the de facto anthem since 1815.
Why does Het Wilhelmus mention the King of Spain?
The lyrics were written when William of Orange (Willem van Nassau) was still officially a vassal of Philip II of Spain. The line 'den Koning van Hispanjen heb ick altijt gheeert' ('the King of Spain I have always honoured') reflects William's position that he was loyal to the king but resisted his religious persecution of Dutch Protestants. The Dutch only formally declared independence from Spain in 1581 with the Act of Abjuration.
When do Dutch people fly the flag with an orange pennant (wimpel)?
The orange pennant is added above the national flag on royal birthdays and for personal celebrations linked to royalty. The most common day is Koningsdag (King's Day, 27 April). Many households also fly the flag with a school bag (schooltas) hung from the pole when a child passes their final exams in June; in that case no orange pennant is required.
When does the flag fly at half-mast in the Netherlands?
The two main half-mast days are Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) on 4 May, when flags fly at half-mast from 18:00 until sunset, and after the death of a member of the royal family or by official government instruction. On Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag, 5 May), flags are raised back to full mast in the morning.
What does 'Je maintiendrai' mean and why is it in French?
'Je maintiendrai' is the national motto of the Netherlands, French for 'I will maintain' or 'I shall uphold'. It comes from the personal motto of William of Orange, who used French because it was the diplomatic language of European nobility in the 16th century. The full original motto was 'Je maintiendrai Nassau' ('I will uphold Nassau'), referring to William's principality.
Why are there seven arrows in the Dutch coat of arms?
The lion in the coat of arms holds seven arrows in its left paw, representing the seven provinces that formed the original Dutch Republic in 1579 (Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Friesland and Groningen). The bundle of seven symbolises 'eendracht maakt macht' (unity makes strength). The lion also holds a sword in its right paw, representing defence of the country.
Is it legal to burn or damage the Dutch flag?
Yes, burning the Dutch flag is generally legal in the Netherlands and is considered protected expression under freedom of speech, unlike in some other countries. However, burning someone else's flag (other people's property) is illegal as property damage, and certain hate-speech laws can apply if the act targets a protected group. There is also a centuries-old tradition of ritually burning damaged flags as a respectful way of disposal.
Where can I see the original Dutch flag and Wilhelmus manuscripts?
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam holds early flag artefacts including 17th-century maritime flags and paintings showing the evolution from Prinsenvlag to the modern tricolor. Manuscripts and printed copies of the Wilhelmus are kept at the National Library (Koninklijke Bibliotheek) in The Hague. The Geuzenmuseum in Rotterdam covers the Dutch Revolt and the song's origins in detail.
Books on Dutch history, the Revolt and the House of Orange
If you want to go deeper than this guide, Bruna stocks accessible English-language histories of the Dutch Revolt, William of Orange and the Golden Age, plus children's books that explain Het Wilhelmus and the flag in simple terms. With 200+ stores nationwide and online delivery, it's the standard place to start for Dutch reading material.
Browse Bruna booksAffiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Official sources
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