Flags often imitate or are influenced by other nations, creating “flag families.” For example, the Netherlands’ red, white and blue flag from the 1500s set a precedent.

Flags often imitate or are influenced by other nations, creating “flag families.” For example, the Netherlands’ red, white and blue flag from the 1500s set a precedent.

According to Kaye, red, white and blue dominate flags due to dye technology, imitation and symbolic meanings. Historically, these colors were practical because white could be created by bleaching ...