Answer to the Question 08/96
The question was:
What is the ratio of the
red, white and blue bars of the French
tricolore? Why?
(1/1997) No correct answers have been recieved. Even not from France... Below we give you the solution. We would, nevertheless, like to have a detailed calculation.
The answer: Chromatic aberration in the eye makes red objects near blue objects appear closer. This effect has for long been known and used by artists. To correct for this and evoke the impression of three equal bars the tricolore is divided into 37:33:30 red:white:blue.
(11/2000) Bill Unruh (e-mail unruh@physics.ubc.ca) brought to our attention an interesting web page detailing the history and proportions of French flag (see here). The main points (as conveyed by Zeljko Heimer and Armand Noel du Payrat) are as follows:
1. The "tricolore" was created during French revolution, officially adopted in 1794, and re-adopted in 1830. The proportions of colors were specified as "equal". The 1958 Constitution does not specify the proportions.
2. "The proportions of vertical stripes on the French flag when used at sea as the civil or naval ensign are 30:33:37, to give a good visual effect when flying". (What does it mean?)
3. The Tricolore ensign was adopted by decree dated 27 pluviose an II (15 February 1794) and by decree dated 7 March 1848. The proportions 30:33:37 were decided by regulation dated 17 May 1853.
Back to "front page"