Flag of Spain
The flag of Spain has 3 horizontal stripes (as defined in the Spanish Constitution of 1978). The top and bottom stripes are red in color and half the width of the central stripe. The central stripe is yellow in color. The national coat of arms appears on the left side of the yellow stripe. The coat of arms has a quartered shield at the centre with the pillars of Hercules on either side. The shield as well as the pillars are crowned. The flag has a proportion of 2:3.
The four quarters of the shield represents the four kingdoms which form Spain. The castle represents 'Castile', the lion represents 'León', the alternating red and yellow stripes represents 'Aragon' and the linked chain represents 'Navarre'. The pomegranate at the base of the shiels represents 'Granada'. The pillars of Hercules represent 'Gibraltar' and 'Ceuta' respectively. Wrapping around the pillars is a red scroll bearing the motto “Plus Ultral” which translates to “there is more beyond”. The badge at the centre of the shield is the emblem of the currently reigning royal family 'House of Bourbon'.
The current flag was officially adopted on December 19, 1981.
Color
Spain’s national flag features the traditional Spanish colors of red and yellow. These colors originated from the coat of arms of the four Spanish kingdoms. The specifics of the flag’s colors were officially defined by the Spanish Royal Decree 441 of February 27, 1981. The decree defines it as follows:
Scheme |
Red |
Yellow |
CIELAB |
35.0, 70.0, 37.0 |
85.0, 95.0, 80.0 |
CIE |
0.614, 0.320, 9.5 |
0.488, 0.469, 56.7 |
Symbolism
The current Spanish coat of arms appearing on the flag is greatly simplified than its previous versions. The shapes and details on the coat of arms are interpreted as follows:
- Four quadrants: Represents each of the four kingdoms that were merged to form a unified Spain at the end of the 15 th century.
- Castle: Represents the Kingdom of Castile.
- Lion: Represents the Kingdom of León.
- Alternating red and yellow stripes: Represents the Crown of Aragon.
- Chains: Represents the Kingdom of Navarre.
- Pomegranate: Represents the Moorish Kingdom of Granada.
- Fleur de lys: Represent the House of Borbón, Spain’s present ruling family.
- Columns: Represents the mythological Pillars of Hercules, possibly of the Strait of Gibraltar and Ceuta.
- "plus ultra": Translates to “further beyond”, represents Spanish discovery and the colonization of the Americas.
History
Royal Shields
During the middle ages, royal shields were used as symbols of nationality. It contained the images and symbols that signified all the values that the King or troops defended.
Cross of Burgundy Flag
Although of foreign origin, the Cross of Burgundy was one of Spain’s most important flags. It was used by Spain as a naval ensign from 1506 to 1701 and as a land battle flag up to 1843.
It was chosen by Philip I of Castile after his marriage to Joanna of Castile. It was the symbol of the house of his mother, Mary of Burgundy, where it featured Saint Andrew’s cross on a white field.
Coronela Flag
When the Habsburgs took the Spanish throne in the 16 th century, each military company had its own flag. Often appearing on these flags are the arms of their commanders over the Cross of Burgundy. The King was represented by the "Coronela", a yellow flag with the imperial shield embroidered on it.
Philip II ordered that each Tercio should carry an additional flag that featured a red Cross of Burgundy on a yellow field.
Philip V’s military and pavilion flags
Philip V made the first attempt to provide Spain a unified symbol which consisted of a white flag that featured the Cross of Burgundy and a shield.
The flags were organized into 1) the Standard or Royal Flag which is a crimson flag embroidered with the royal arms, the Golden Fleece and the necklace of the Order of the Holy Spirit; 2) the Military flag which is a white flag with the Cross of Burgundy; and 3) the royal arms and the Pavilion of the Navy which is also a white flag bearing the royal arms.
Origins of the Present Ensign
Bourbonic flag of Charles III
The Current national flag of Spain is a variant of the flag used by Charles III as a war ensign for naval ships in 1785. The king had wanted to easily distinguish his ships from great distances from the other ships they have in combat. The design that he had chosen closely resembles the present flag. It was a tri-band of red-yellow-red with the yellow band twice the width of the red bands.
First Spanish Republic
The first Spanish Republic was immediately established after the abdication of King Amadeo I on February 10, 1873. The First Republic suppressed all royal symbols. Yet, the flag remained the same except for the removal of the crown on top of the shield.
The collapse of the First Spanish Republic on December 29, 1874 restored the Bourbon monarchy. Alfonso XII was proclaimed as king.
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was established after deposing the monarchy on April 14, 1931. The new regime was symbolized with the adoption of a new tricolor flag of red, yellow, and indigo bands of equal width. The inclusion of indigo represented the territories of Castile and Leon in the flag. It also bore the shield adopted in 1868.
Franco Years
Modifications on the coat of arms were made during the regime of Francisco Franco. The new ensign featured an eagle with new quarters, and the Pillars of Hercules were placed outside the wings.
Post-Franco Years
Spain’s national flag continued with the 1945 regulation from the time of Franco’s death in 1975 to 1977. With the restoration of the House of Bourbon to the Spanish throne and the establishment of a parliamentary monarchy, the Spanish Constitution of 1978 defined the specifications of the flag of Spain. The national flag of Spain received its final coat on December19, 1981.
