I did wonder, as I am sure many people do.
Why do the Dutch wear Orange when their flag is Red, White and Blue?
Why do the Dutch people have such a strong relationship with the colour Orange.
Orange is the colour of the Dutch Royal Family, the lineage of the current dynasty, the House of Oranje-Nassau which dates back to William of Orange (Willem van Oranje). William was born into the House of Nassau, as a count of Nassau-Dillenburg and became the Prince of Orange in 1544, and is thereby the founder of the branch House of Orange-Nassau.
In our modern world the colour Orange symbolises a pride in the country; the Netherlands, and in being Dutch.
The biggest display of Orange National Pride does occur on Queen’s Day or Koninginnedag, the April 30 holiday commemorating the birthday of Queen Julianna. That date is retained for the national celebration of the Queens birthday even though Queen Beatrix was born on 31st of January and this holiday is by far the most widely celebrated holiday in all the Netherlands. The Amsterdam festivities in particular are said to rival those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans or New Year’s Eve in New York City. Amsterdam welcomes up to two million party-going visitors.
What began as a commemoration of the Dutch Royal Family has evolved into a nationwide day of creative, carefree springtime revelry.
Many of the Dutch national symbols can be traced back to William of Orange: (Dutch: Willem van Oranje) who was the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish that set off the Eighty Years’ War and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648.
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The flag of the Netherlands, red, white and blue, is derived from the flag of the prince, which was orange, white and blue.
The coat of arms of the Netherlands is based on that of William of Orange. Its motto is “I will maintain”.
The national anthem of the Netherlands, Het Wilhelmus, was originally a propaganda song for William. It was probably written by Philips van Marnix, lord of Sint-Aldegonde, a supporter of William of Orange. It is the oldest national anthem in the world, though the words of the Japanese national anthem (not the music) date back to the ninth century.
The national colour of the Netherlands is orange, and it is used, among other things, in clothing of Dutch athletes.
The national anthem, flag, colour and motto are all from William of Orange the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish that set off the Eighty Years’ War and resulted in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648.
So why not also have an obsession with Orange.
Tags: Dutch, Dutch Royal Family, Eighty Years' War, Het Wilhelmus, House of Orange, House of Oranje-Nassau, koninginnedag, Orange Day, Orange-Nassau, Queen Beatrix, Queen Julianna, Queens Day, weather, Willem van Oranje, William of Orange
