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.

In the late 1890s, Gov. Francis P. Fleming said a red cross be added to reduce the older flag’s appearance, which was simply white with the seal, to a flag of surrender.

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 ...