18 Feb 2008 04:33:49 | Linda Plummer
Spainīs flag (the national one) is as colorful as the country
itself with its red and yellow horizontal triband.
The yellow stripe is in the middle and is twice as tall as each
red band, and the height of the flag is two-thirds the width.
A simplified version of Spainīs coat-of-arms is pictured on the
yellow band, towards the hoist side.
The Spanish coat-of-arms includes the royal seal, framed by the
Pillars of Hercules, which represent Gibraltar and Ceuta on
either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar.
The red banners display the motto in Latin PLUS ULTRA, which
means "More Beyond", alluding to Columbusī discovery of the New
World.
The two columns flank a shield that displays a castle, a lion
wearing a crown, red and yellow vertical stripes, chain mail,
and three fleurs-de-lis in an oval in the center.
An ornate red and golden crown sits atop the shield.
The flag used today in Spain was officially adopted on 19
December 1981. Previous to this, there had been an eagle on it
as well but, in 1981, the eagle was removed, leaving the current
red/yellow/red triband with crowned arms.
The red and golden-yellow colors of Spainīs flag were first used
as long ago as the late 1700s by the King of Spain as he tried
to easily differentiate his ships from those of other countries.
They were the original colors found within the coat-of-arms of
both the Castile and Aragon regions of the country, the regions
first united by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
There is a legend that holds that the colors of the flag of
Spain are derived from the bullfight arena, the red
respresenting the blood shed and the yellow the sand of the
arena! However, this is just a legend and not based on
historical facts!
The pledge to the Spanish flag is called the "Jura de Bandera",
meaning "Oath of the Flag".
Spain is divided into 17 different regions or autonomous
communities and each community also has its own regional flag.
However, the red-and-yellow national flag of Spain is recognized
by all Spanish regions.
Now that you know all about Spainīs flag, why not come on out
here and watch one flapping in the warm, Spanish breeze?
About Author :
Linda Plummer is webmistress of http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com
Top Tour of Spain
providing comprehensive information on Spain be it for travel,
food, language or living.
