In the 16th century, Count of Oranje WillemⅠused the flag horizontally divided into orange, white, and blue at the war for independence. This is said to be the first tricolored flag in the world. In later ages, the orange color was changed to red, since it discolored easily and was hard to see from a distance. Although the design altered a number of times since, after the indepence in 1815, the old flag revived and was made official in 1937. Red expresses courage of the citizens, white, faith, and blue, loyalty toward the nation.