This list contains all twelve official flags of the provinces of the Netherlands, including the
pennons. The Dutch provinces have their own flag and also their own pennons. However, the pennons are unofficial, so no
flag protocol applies to them. So they can be hoisted at any time.
White and red are the colours of a former leader, the Bishop of Utrecht. The black castle and red stars are a memory of Coevorden standing up against the Bisshop.[1]
Blue is the symbol of
IJsselmeer, from which the land of this province was taken. Green is standing for vegetation, yellow for the cornfields. The lily refers to
Cornelis Lely, who designed the plans for the new land taken from
IJsselmeer.[2]
The flag is based on the kings of Frysia in 15th century. The colours are the same as those of the national flag of The Netherlands . The stripes and leaves of the yellow water-lily, represent the 7 districts of Friesland.
Two horizontal bands of equal height; above silver (white), below gold (golden yellow), separated by a narrower band of blue; over all, placed on the breeches side (mast side) and facing it, a crowned, red lion with double tail.
The North Brabantian flag dates from the Middle Ages and has the highest seniority among all Dutch province flags. The colours gules and argent have been used in Brabant standards, flags and pennants since the proclamation of the County of Louvain (942 CE) during the Lotharingian period. Later, the Duchy of Brabant continued using these colours. During the Middle Ages and the centuries after, the red and white would often be used. At the end of the 18th century, the flag fell into disuse. Since 1959, the red and white checkered flag has become the official flag of the province of North Brabant.
The yellow and red stripes are a reference to the former association of this province with Holland. The blue source in the middle stands for the river
IJssel, which gave the province its name.
In the middle of the flag, the coat of arms of the province is seen. The blue waves stand for the sea, and efforts to subdue its strength. The lion is a symbol for the winner of this battle between man and sea.