Unraveling the Story: The Spanish Flag and Its Historical Evolution

Spanish flag This is the national symbol of this European kingdom. It consists of three horizontal stripes in the ratio 1: 2: 1. The ends are red, and the center is yellow. The shield of Spain is placed on the left side of the central yellow band. Because of its colors, the flag is known as La Rojigualda.

The Spanish flag has appeared in every design since 1785, when it replaced the Cross of Burgundy. Since then, the two colors have been retained on all Spanish signs, with the exception of the flag of the Second Spanish Republic, which included a purple stripe. The current flag with the constitutional shield has been in effect since 1981.

Although the colors of the flag have persisted over time, changes to the shield have been constant throughout Spanish history. In almost every political period, the coat of arms of the country was different.

The origin of the colors of the flag is monarchical. There is no clear basis for the meaning of its colors, but it is apparently related to the colors of the symbols of Castile and Aragon.

Photo: Spanish Flag. The Spanish Flag and Its Historical Evolution

History of the flag

Flags in Spain have a long history. Its use in the Iberian Peninsula dates back to long before Spain existed as a state. In fact, it can be argued that flags as such, made of light fabrics, arrived in Europe through the Islamic rule of the peninsula.

Quickly, these symbols began to be used by the kings of the region, as well as various people who bore noble titles. Some of the kingdoms established in the Iberian Peninsula after the end of Islamic rule in 1492 used different pavilions.

The House of Leon used a mythological animal as its flag. The one from Aragon used a flag of horizontal red and yellow stripes. The one in Navarre consisted of a sequence of yellow chains. In contrast, Castile included a purple lion and a castle.

The first pavilions of Spain

Spain as a state came into being in 1479 following the marriage alliance formed between King Fernando of Castile and Queen Isabella of Aragon ten years earlier.

In 1492, complete unification of the peninsula was achieved through the conquest and termination of Islamic rule over the entire territory. From the union, the kings adopted a flag in which the coats of arms of the kingdoms were unified.

However, the first flags representing the newly united country came from the reign of Juana I, who married Felipe el Hermoso, Archduke of Austria.

After the symbol adopted by the House of Austria, Spain began to be recognized at the national and international levels. It was the Burgundian Cross, which was a white banner with a red-toothed cross superimposed on it.

This symbol underwent changes and adaptations between the reigns of each monarch. However, for centuries the Cross of Burgundy represented the Spanish crown both nationally and in the colonial territories it would begin to acquire, especially in the Americas.

Bourbons on the throne

The year 1700 gave rise to final changes in the future of the Spanish monarchy. After the death without an heir of King Carlos II, nicknamed El Hechizado, King Felipe V of France ascended the throne. However, this did not have the consensus of the various monarchical families, as some feared the accumulation of power that the Bourbons would have.

In any case, Felipe V took the throne in 1700 and stayed on it until 1746, with a brief interruption in 1724. The king managed to bypass the War of Succession and remain firmly on the Spanish throne. From the beginning of his reign, important changes began to appear in Spanish symbols, especially in relation to their flags.

Although the Burgundian cross remained valid in many cases, especially in the colonial one, other symbols became representative of the Spanish-speaking monarchy. Among the various kingdoms of the House of Bourbon, such as the Two Sicilies or France, it was common to place royal coats of arms on white cloth. This was also done in Spain.

Photo: Flag Cross of Burgundy. The Spanish Flag and Its Historical Evolution

Naval pavilions

Especially in the first years of the House of Bourbon rule in Spain, white symbols became present. They were used mainly on Spanish boats. The first naval pavilion operated between 1701 and 1760. Due to its complexity and use, it had two versions: the gala pavilion and the simplified pavilion.

The gala pavilion included all the weapons of the ancient kingdoms. They were surrounded by fleece and red ribbons.

Photo: The first maritime pavilion operated from 1701. The Spanish Flag and Its Historical Evolution

Instead, the simplified flag was limited to showing the coats of arms of Castile and Granada, in addition to the Bourbon family crest. The lamellas, in this case, were blue.

In 1760, the naval flag changed. This was the result of the accession to the throne of King Carlos III, the third son of Felipe V. Carlos III was crowned after the death of his brother, Fernando VI, without descendants.

The new symbol has changed in shape and composition. Now it was located in a series of ovals, in which the weapons were grouped, divided into different spaces. Red ties were also supported.

Photo: In 1760, the naval Flag. The Spanish Flag and Its Historical Evolution

The appearance of the Spanish flag

Considering the excessive similarity of the Spanish flag with the flag of various European kingdoms, King Carlos III decided to change it. The reason many of these flags were similar was the presence of symbols.

The Spanish flag, the national emblem of this European kingdom, is a striking symbol that consists of three horizontal stripes in the ratio of 1:2:1. The ends of the flag are adorned in vibrant red, while the center stripe gleams in a radiant yellow hue. This distinctive flag, known as La Rojigualda, proudly bears the shield of Spain on the left side of the central yellow band.

Photo: Spanish Flag. The Spanish Flag and Its Historical Evolution

The flag’s colors hold significant historical and cultural meaning. While the precise symbolism behind its colors remains ambiguous, they are believed to be connected to the colors of the heraldic symbols of Castile and Aragon.

The evolution of Spain’s flag can be traced back to 1785 when it replaced the Cross of Burgundy. Since then, the red and yellow colors have been consistently retained in all Spanish flags, except for the flag of the Second Spanish Republic, which included an additional purple stripe. The current design featuring the constitutional shield was established in 1981.

Throughout Spanish history, the shield on the flag has undergone numerous changes, reflecting the shifting political periods. Each era introduced its own distinctive coat of arms for the country.

The history of flags in Spain dates back centuries, with their use on the Iberian Peninsula pre-dating the existence of Spain as a unified state. These early symbols emerged during Islamic rule in the region and were subsequently adopted by the kings and nobles of various kingdoms. Different pavilions representing the kingdoms of Leon, Aragon, Navarre, and Castile showcased unique designs, incorporating elements such as mythological animals, horizontal stripes, chains, lions, and castles.

The birth of Spain as a unified state occurred in 1479 through the marriage alliance between King Fernando of Castile and Queen Isabella of Aragon. The flags representing the newly united country were initially adopted during the reign of Juana I, who married Archduke Felipe el Hermoso of Austria. The House of Austria introduced the Cross of Burgundy, a white banner featuring a red-toothed cross, which symbolized the Spanish crown both nationally and in its growing colonial territories, particularly in the Americas.

The ascendancy of the Bourbon dynasty in 1700, with King Felipe V of France assuming the Spanish throne, brought significant changes to Spanish symbols, including flags. While the Cross of Burgundy remained in use, other symbols associated with the House of Bourbon, such as royal coats of arms on white cloth, gained prominence.

Naval flags also played a significant role, particularly on Spanish ships. The naval pavilion, established between 1701 and 1760, featured various versions, including the gala pavilion adorned with the weapons of the ancient kingdoms and the simplified pavilion displaying the coats of arms of Castile, Granada, and the Bourbon family crest.

In 1760, the naval flag underwent further modification during the reign of King Carlos III. The new design showcased the arms of the kingdoms arranged within ovals, accompanied by red ribbons. This change aimed to differentiate the Spanish flag from those of other European kingdoms that shared similar symbols and patterns associated with the House of Bourbon.

Photo: Spanish Flag. The Spanish Flag and Its Historical Evolution

The Spanish flag, with its enduring red and yellow colors, stands as a testament to the nation’s rich history. It encapsulates the spirit and unity of Spain, representing its cultural heritage and aspirations. As a cherished national symbol, the Spanish flag serves as a powerful reminder of the country’s storied past and its enduring pride.and patterns common among the monarchies of the House of Bourbon.