Spanish Flag

Red and Yellow: The colors represent the traditional Spanish national identity and heritage. The 'rojigualda' (red-yellow) design became synonymous with Spanish sovereignty and national unity. The flag symbolizes the continuity of Spanish statehood through various political changes, representing the nation's maritime heritage, military tradition, and constitutional democracy established in 1978.

Origins trace to King Carlos III (1759-1788) when Spain used multiple confusing flags, particularly white naval jacks that created confusion at sea. From 12 sketches by Minister Antonio Valdés y Bazán, two were selected - one became the War Ensign, the other the Civil Ensign, officially adopted by Royal Decree on 28 May 1785. Under Carlos IV (1788-1808), the 'rojigualda' flag spread to maritime strongholds, castles, and coastal defenses, becoming the Royal Flag. During the War of Independence (1808-1814), non-regulation flags appeared and naval forces brought the bi-color inland. Under Isabel II (1833-1868), the bi-color spread to the Spanish Army, with the Royal Decree of 13 October 1843 ordering full replacement of older flags. The Instructions on Navy Ensigns (1867) and Alfonso XII's continuation in 1878 reinforced naval use. The First Republic (1873-1874) planned to replace the bottom red stripe with purple but never implemented it. The Second Republic (1931) introduced a tricolor (red, yellow, purple), but after the 1936 military uprising, the Decree of 29 August 1936 restored the traditional red-yellow design. Franco's regime (1939-1975) set strict rules via the Decree of 11 October 1945 for armed forces, warships, and government buildings.

Three horizontal stripes arranged from top to bottom: Red stripe (top), Yellow stripe (center - twice the width of red stripes), Red stripe (bottom). The proportional design creates a distinctive 1:2:1 ratio for the stripes, with the yellow center stripe being the dominant visual element. This creates the characteristic 'rojigualda' (red-yellow) appearance that has defined Spanish national identity since 1785.

The flag's use and specifications are defined by comprehensive legal framework: Law 39/1981 of 28 October governing the use of the Spanish flag and other flags and standards; Royal Decree 441/1981 of 27 February defining the flag's colors in technical terms; Royal Decree 1511/1977 of 21 January approving regulations on flags, standards, crosses, ensigns and badges. The flag must be displayed according to constitutional requirements and legal specifications established since 1978, maintaining the traditional proportions and colors that have represented Spanish sovereignty across centuries of political change.