Flag of Spain
The national flag of Spain (Spanish: Bandera de España), as it is defined in the Constitution of 1978, consists of three horizontal stripes: red, yellow and red, the yellow stripe being twice the height of each red stripe. Traditionally, the middle stripe was defined by the more archaic term of gualda, and hence the popular name la Rojigualda (red-weld).
| Rojigualda | |
| Use | National flag and state and naval ensign |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | 15 May 1785 (original version, as naval and coastal fortifications' ensign) 5 October 1981 (current version, as established in the Spanish Constitution) |
| Design | A horizontal triband flag of red, yellow (double width) and red; charged with the Spanish coat of arms off-centred toward the hoist. |
| Designed by | Antonio Valdés y Bazán |
| Use | Civil flag and ensign |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | 1843 |
| Design | Two horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) and yellow (middle). The yellow stripe is twice the height of each red stripe. |
| Designed by | Charles III |
The origin of the current flag of Spain is the naval ensign of 1785, Pabellón de la Marina de Guerra under Charles III of Spain. It was chosen by Charles III himself from 12 different flags designed by Antonio Valdés y Bazán. All proposed flags were presented in a drawing, which is in the Naval Museum of Madrid. The flag remained marine-focused for most of the next 50 years and flew over coastal fortresses, marine barracks and other naval property. During the Peninsular War, the flag could also be found on marine regiments fighting inland. It was only in 1820 that the first Spanish land unit, La Princesa Regiment, was provided with one, and it was not until 1843 that Queen Isabella II of Spain made the flag official.
Throughout the 19th and the 20th centuries, the colour scheme of the flag remained intact, with the exception of the Second Republic period (1931–1939); the only changes centred on the coat of arms.