The flag of Belgium is a tricolor consisting of three equal vertical bands displaying the national colors of Belgium: black, yellow, and red with size 3×5. The colors were taken from the coat of arms of the Duchy Of Brabant, and the vertical design may be based on the flag of France. When flown, the black band is nearest the pole (at the hoist side). It has the unusual proportions of 13:15. In 1830 the flag, at that time non-officially, consisted of three horizontal bands, with the colors red, yellow, and black. the National Congress enshrined the tricolor in the Constitution but did not determine the direction and order of the color bands. As a result, the “official” flag was given vertical stripes with the colors black, yellow, and red.