Spain

Information about the Spanish Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of Spain

:: Meaning of the Spanish Flag ::

The Spanish flag consists of three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow and red (bottom), with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band. The upper and the underside red bands are of equal size, while the central yellow strip is double of the red band’s dimension.

The shield includes the royal seal A crowned shield, and a pomegranate at the underside of the shield comprise the Spain flag. The flag was officially adopted in 1981. The ratio of the National flag of Spain is described as 2:3.

Red and yellow are traditional Spanish colors and derive from the coat of arms of the original Spanish kingdoms. There is no special or official meaning of the colors. The most important part of the flag is represented by the Coat of Arms.

:: Meaning of the Spanish Coat of Arms ::

The crown stands for the Constitutional monarchy and the supporters symbolize the geographic position of Spain: the Pillars of Hercules represent Gibraltar and Ceuta on either side of the Strait of Gibraltar. They display a motto in Latin, “PLUS ULTRA,” meaning “More Beyond”. Sitting on top of the pillars are two crowns: one is supposed to be the Imperial crown whereas the other is the Royal crown. The four quadrants signify the four kingdoms which came together to form a unified Spain in the late 1400’s. Castile represented by a castle, León represented by a lion, Aragon represented by vertical red and yellow stripes, and Navarre represented by linked chains. There is also the kingdom of Granada represented by a pomegranate fruit at the bottom and an impaled fleur de lys which represents the ruling House of Borbón.