The Italian tricolor was first established during the Napoleonic Wars by French republics in northern Italy , who styled it after the French tricolor. In 1848 the design was adopted by the house of Savoy, which went on to lead the Italian unification. The present flag was adopted in 1946, when Italy became a republic and the royal arms were removed.
I don't know of any authoritative and indisputable explanation regarding the meaning of the colors of the Italian flag . The most credible theory suggests that the colors came from the colors of the uniforms of the Civic militia of Milan which were predominantly green with some white. Some red parts were added in 1796 when the Militia became the National Guard. In October of that year, the Lombard Legion was constituted, which adopted a uniform with the same color combination.The original standard had the colors displayed vertically with the green at the hoist, representing the very first (known) model of the Italian "Tricolore", although it was only known at the time as a military flag.
The first true (displayed) national flag in which the colors were applied horizontally is the Cispadane Republic flag. This flag was adopted on January 7, 1797 and had the red at the top, the white in the middle, charged with the coat of arms, and the green at the bottom.
On July 17, 1797 the Cispadane and the Transpadane Republics were united into the Cisalpine Republic, which adopted the Tricolore, known today as the official Italian flag.
It is for that reason that the official version generally claims that the Italian flag is modeled after the French Tricolore.
I don't know of any authoritative and indisputable explanation regarding the meaning of the colors of the Italian flag . The most credible theory suggests that the colors came from the colors of the uniforms of the Civic militia of Milan which were predominantly green with some white. Some red parts were added in 1796 when the Militia became the National Guard. In October of that year, the Lombard Legion was constituted, which adopted a uniform with the same color combination.The original standard had the colors displayed vertically with the green at the hoist, representing the very first (known) model of the Italian "Tricolore", although it was only known at the time as a military flag.
The first true (displayed) national flag in which the colors were applied horizontally is the Cispadane Republic flag. This flag was adopted on January 7, 1797 and had the red at the top, the white in the middle, charged with the coat of arms, and the green at the bottom.
On July 17, 1797 the Cispadane and the Transpadane Republics were united into the Cisalpine Republic, which adopted the Tricolore, known today as the official Italian flag.
It is for that reason that the official version generally claims that the Italian flag is modeled after the French Tricolore.
This was very interesting, I often wonder how or why flags are designed the way are. I guess it makes sence to have it resemble the uniforms of it's soldiers, that way it gives it much deeper meaning, and it is a statement of the pride the country has for its military.
ReplyDelete