Italy Flag

What does the flag of Italy look like? The Italian flag consists of three equal-sized vertical bands of green, white, and red. The current version was updated on June 18, 1946.

Meaning of the Flag

Like many other flags in nations around the world, Italy’s national flag has meaning in its design – particularly the three colors chosen for the flag. These colors were first used by the Cisalpine Republic in 1797 after the defeat of Milan. Red and white were the colors of Milan, while green was the color of the Milanese civic guard uniforms. However, some see the colors as holding more significance.

It is thought by many that the color green is representative of Italy’s land. White represents the snow-topped peaks of the Alps, while the res is representative of the bloodshed during the Wards of Italian Independence and Unification. However, some believe that the flag has more religious symbolism, with the three colors representing the virtues of hope, faith and charity.

Colors of the Flag

The flag of Italy features three colors: green, white and red. The flag is a vertical tricolor flag that is known in Italian as il Tricolore. It features three bands of equal sizes, with green located on the left “hoist” side, white in the middle, and red on the right. The design is very similar to the tricolor flag of France from 1790. As previously mentioned, the colors hold great significance for the nation, with some saying that is has religious symbolism while others state that it is representative of traits of the country.

History of the Flag

It is believed that the first use of the tricolor was observed in 1794. A cockade worn by the students of University of Bologna wore the cockades to represent Jacobin revolutionary ideals. However, the colors chosen were from the flag of Bologna and were used to distinguish them from the French. Just a few years later, a cockade with the colors of green, white and red were given to Napoleon Bonaparte in Milan, and it was at this time that he determined the Milan Civic Guard would carry banners of these colors and design.

The first tricolor flag was adopted in 1797 by the Cispadane Republic. The flag was later altered the next year, although the colors remained the same. Throughout history, the flag was changed during the times of the Italian Republic and the Kingdom of Italy. However, the colors always remained green, red and white.

The current design of the tricolor flag was put into use in 1946 and was formally adopted as the national flag in 1948. The most recent design was adopted in 2006 after the shades of colors were altered from original versions.

Flag Facts

If flying among other national flags, the national flag takes the position of honor and other flags are arranged in alphabetical order.

Law permits the flag to be trimmed with golden fringe on its perimeter if so chosen.

Protocols of Italy’s flag are similar to many observed in the United States. For example, the flag is not allowed to touch the ground or water, it should not be flown during bad weather, and is always treated with dignity.