Flag of Italy

The Flag of Italy (

, often referred to in Italian as il Tricolore) is a tricolor featuring three equally sized vertical pales of green, white, and red, with the green at the hoist side. Its current form has been in use since 18 June 1946 and was formally adopted on 1 January 1948.

History

The design of the Italian flag is derived from the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797. The colors are those of the city of Milan (red and white) combined with the green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard. Over the years, the flag has undergone several modifications and the meanings of the colors have also evolved. Initially, the green represented the country's plains and hills, white was for the snowy Alps, and red symbolized the blood spilt in the Wars of Italian Independence and Unification.

After the establishment of the Italian Republic in 1946, the flag was officially adopted by the newly formed republic, replacing the flag of the Kingdom of Italy which had the Savoy shield.

Symbolism

The colors of the flag carry deep meanings. Green represents hope, white symbolizes faith, and red stands for charity. These interpretations are modern; historically, the colors were associated with various political and regional entities within Italy, without a universally acknowledged symbolism.

Design

The flag is a vertical tricolour of green, white, and red, with the green at the hoist side. The proportion of the Italian flag is 2:3, meaning it is twice as long as it is tall. Officially, there are no prescribed shades for the colors, but in practice, specific shades are used for flags produced by the Italian government.

Use

The flag is used in a variety of contexts in Italy, from official government buildings to public and private events. It is a symbol of the Italian Republic and represents the unity and identity of the Italian people. The flag also appears on the logo of some Italian government agencies and is used by the Italian military.

Legal Protection

The use of the Italian flag is regulated by law, which prescribes how and when the flag can be displayed. It is protected against desecration, and there are specific protocols for its use, including how it should be flown in relation to other flags.

Variants

There are several variants of the flag used by the Italian government, including those used by the Italian Navy, which features the coat of arms of the Italian Republic in the center of the white band. Other variants include military and civil ensigns, each with specific uses and modifications to the basic tricolor design.

International Presence

The Italian flag is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Italian culture, heritage, and identity. It is often displayed at international events, including sports competitions and diplomatic gatherings, representing Italy and its people on the global stage.