Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Spanish Flag

Photo by Chris Curry on Unsplash

Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Spanish Flag

Spain has 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Its capital city is Madrid and is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters.

Just like all the countries, states and territories in the world, Spain has a national flag that when flown marks its territory. Flags generally represent a country’s culture and history.

The Spanish flag gives one a glimpse of the struggle and victories a country has had. Flags have been used since time immemorial by empires and dynasties.

A lot of thought, meaning and work is put when designing a flag, from the colour, length, width and whether to have a vertical or horizontal flag. To know more about the Spanish flag, read on these top 10 interesting facts.

1. The Spanish flag has changed over time

The Spanish flag has undergone many changes over the centuries. These changes are believed to be caused by different empires ruling a territory at different times. Flags had different concepts in the medieval age.

The first Spanish flag was the Cross of Burgundy. It was the most prominent flag used in Spain.

The Spanish army carried a white or yellow flag with the cross of Burgundy at the centre. This same design was used on Spanish regimental flags.

The Cross of Burgundy was used between the 15^th century and the 18^th century. Philip the Handsome introduced this flag and used it during his reign.

A few more changes were done on the flag by kings that came after him. Phillip II added a red flag that was to be carried together with the Cross of Burgundy.

Phillip V changed the royal arms, while French Heraldists Charles-Rene d’Hozier and Pierre Clairambault designed the new arms for the king.

2. The present colours were chosen by Charles III

By Anton Raphael Mengs – Wikimedia

The colours of the Spanish flag were chosen in 1760. This was done by Charles III, he designed it to have two red stripes and one yellow stripe in the middle.

This flag was used during the war. He also designed a second flag, this second on served civic purposes and had five stripes, two red stripes alternating with the yellow stripes.

Charles III chose these colours to differentiate his country from others while at war since most had white flags. This way, they would be able to tell the enemy from a distance and act quickly.

3. The coat of arms on the Spanish flag

The Spanish flag has a coat of arms on it. There are four symbols on the coat of arms. First is the Castle which represents the Kingdom of Castile, second is the lion which represents the Kingdom of Leon.

The four red and five yellow alternating stripes represent the Kingdom of Aragon. Finally, the linked chains represent the Kingdom of Granada.

These were former Kingdoms of Spain, two others that are also represented here are the Kingdom of Castile, and the House of Bourbon.

Two columns symbolize the pillars of Hercules, Gibraltar and Cueta. The columns have the words plus extra written on them; it means further beyond in Latin.

4. The Spanish Flag during ceremonies and public holidays

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Public holidays and ceremonies are marked by flying the national flag. In Spain, the flag is hoisted depending on the occasion. The Spanish flag is flown on government buildings only.

If it is a mourning ceremony, the flag is hoisted at half-mast with a black ribbon tied on the flag. During international ceremonies, the national flag is flown besides other countries to symbolize equality.

5. The Spanish flag was first adopted in 1978

This national Spanish flag was first adopted as the national flag in 1978. Before the adoption of a unifying flag, Spain was divided into several kingdoms.

The Cross of Burgundy flag, which was the first Spanish flag, was made official in 1834 by Queen Isabella II. It was later replaced in 1931 when the government then added a purple band into the design.

In 1936, the Spanish national flag had red and gold stripes with an eagle on it.

6. Strict protocol to flying the flag

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There are rules on how to handle the Spanish national flag. The flag demands respect and discipline when handling it.

If you happen to be in danger and need to send a signal calling for help, you will be required to fly the flag upside down. The flag should not get torn, damaged or stained.

Another strict rule is, the flag can only be flown horizontally from public buildings, private homes, shops and town squares. The flag should also be hoisted by sunrise and lowered by sunset.

Only government offices are allowed to fly the flag during the day and night. When flying the flag at night, the flag post has to be well lit. This is applied in Spain and at their embassies abroad.

Regarding funeral services of top government officials, soldiers, and royalty; the flag can be draped over the coffin. After the funeral, the flag is neatly folded and presented to the next of kin before the departed is interred.

7. There are other Unofficial Spanish flags

Back in the 1990s, Spain had an unofficial flag that had an Osborne bull overlaid as a coat of arms. This flag was spotted mostly in football arenas. It has become more popular with sporting events, and sports teams.

The other one is the flag of the Second Republic that has an indigo strip mostly spotted in rallies organized by Spanish communists or republicans. This flag is associated with rebelling against the Monarchy.

Another Spanish flag was used during the 1982 FIFA World Cup, it had a superimposed football in motion.

This next one is not necessarily an unofficial flag, but the Spanish flag is used in reverse in Texas as a state seal of one of its six flags.

8. Spanish flags on cars and buildings

By Pazit Polak – Wikimedia

Not every citizen in Spain is permitted to fly the flag on their cars. Only high-ranking officials of the Spanish state are allowed to display a flag representing their status.

This flag is square and has the Spanish coat of arms centred on the yellow stripe. The royal crown flies a flag with a Yacht ensign in blue and is centred on the yellow stripe. This flag was decreed in 11875.

9. The Spanish flag design is specific

The straightforward design of the Spanish flag with the coat of arms is specified by rule 3 of the Royal Decree 1511/1977.

This decree specifies that the coat of arms of Spain must have a height equal to ​2⁄5 of the hoist and will figure on both sides of the flag. Also, when the flag is of regular proportions then the length should be 3/2 of the width and that coat of arms axis should be at half the width when on a hoist.

When the flag’s length is less than normal, the coat of arms is placed at the centre of the flag.

10. The Spanish youth take a flag oath

The Spanish youth take an annual oath known as Jura de Bandera. This event takes place when the youth graduate from their military service. Spanish citizens are allowed to attend the ceremony and take the oath too.