Flag of Spain
The Flag of Spain
The colors of
the Spanish flag are derived from the arms of the provinces of Aragon and
Castille. During the 13th century, Spain consisted of a number of small
kingdoms that were gradually absorbed by Aragon and Castilie. The
marriage between Isabella (of Castille) and Ferdinand (of Aragon) in 1469
united Spain and it quickly became a great colonial power.
The first red-and-yellow flag of Spain can be traced back to 1785, the
result of the wish of the Bourbon king of Spain, Carlos III, to
distinguish Spanish warships at sea (the existing war ensign was white
and charged with the Bourbon arms, which were easily confused with those
of other Bourbon-ruled countries, as well as with the British white
ensign). Although not adopted until 1927, these colors have traditionally
been associated with Spain.
Republicanism, socialism and anarchism having vied with each other for
power from the late 19th century, in 1931 a republic was established in
Spain and a new flag of Spain was adopted in the form of a horizontal
tricolor of red, yellow and purple bands of equal width. In 1936,
however, a military rebellion led by General Francisco Franco overthrew
the republic and restored the yellow-and-red flag. When Franco died, in
1975, King Juan Carlos became head of state and, for state use, the flag
of Spain is charged with the national arms, which are set towards the
hoist in the yellow band.
