A **vertical tricolour** is a flag divided into three bands of equal width running perpendicular to the fly, that is parallel to the hoist. The form was given lasting prominence by the French tricolore of 1794 and has since been adopted, with varying colours and charges, by many states. Where a charge is added it is typically placed in the central band.
**Example**: The flags of France, Italy, Ireland, and Mexico are all vertical tricolours; Italy and Mexico bear or have borne a charge in the central white band.
**See also**: [horizontal-tricolour](/glossary/horizontal-tricolour/), [tricolour](/glossary/tricolour/), [bicolour](/glossary/bicolour/), [charged](/glossary/charged/)