Spain´s 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 Spain´s 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 Columbus´ 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 Spain´s 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 Spain´s flag, why not come
on out here and watch one flapping in the warm,
Spanish breeze?




About the 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.


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