Discovering the Italian Flag: A Symbol of History and Identity.
The Italian tricolor: green, white, red. These three simple colored stripes contain centuries of history, national identity and profound values. With important anniversaries approaching such as today 25th April, Liberation Day, and 2nd June, Republic Day, it is the ideal time to explore the meaning and origin of our beloved flag.
The revolutionary origins: Napoleon and the birth of the tricolour
The history of the Italian Tricolor has its roots in the European revolutionary era of the 18th century. In 1796, during Napoleon’s military campaigns in Italy, the Tricolor was adopted for the Lombard and Italian legions. Subsequently, in 1797, the Parliament of the Cispadane Republic officially established the Tricolor as the national flag, composed of the three shades of green, white and red.
The evolution of the times: from the Italian Kingdom to the Republic
In the following years, the Italian Tricolor continued to evolve, representing state entities such as the Italian Republic and the Italian Kingdom. In 1848-1849, during the revolts for Italian independence and unification, the Tricolor flew in all the Italian states in which constitutional governments arose or were desired.
The coat of arms of Savoy and the transition to the Republic
Over time, the Italian flag underwent significant variations. In 1848, Carlo Alberto proclaimed the Tricolor as the national flag and enriched it with the Savoy coat of arms bordered in blue. This version remained in use during the period of the Kingdom of Italy. However, in 1946, with the referendum for the choice between monarchy and republic, the flag was modified and the Savoy coat of arms definitively disappeared.
The meaning of colors: Hope, Purity and Love
But what do the three colors of our flag represent? Initially devoid of specific meaning, over time they have acquired profound symbolic values. Green symbolizes hope and nature, white represents faith, purity and peace, while red represents love and, sometimes, sacrifice and courage.
Conclusions: a symbol of Identity and Belonging
Ultimately, the Italian Tricolor is not just a set of colored stripes, but a symbol full of history, national identity and shared values. Every time we see our flag flying, let us remember everything it represents: the fight for independence, the search for freedom and the hope for a better future.
