Flag of the Valencian Community

The flag of the Valencian Community and of the city of Valencia, known as Reial Senyera (Valencian pronunciation: [reˈjal seˈɲeɾa], "Royal Senyera"), is the traditional Senyera, composed of four red bars on a yellow background, crowned with a blue strip party per pale next to the hoist.[1] It was adopted on 1 July 1982.

2:3 ratio flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
1:2 ratio flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag

It is an historical derivation of the Senyera, the heraldic symbol of the Crown of Aragon, also used today with few variations in all the former kingdoms and counties which were a part of this crown.

History of the flag

As many other flags of medieval origin, the Senyera, or "Senyal Reial" (royal ensign), was used in those years as the arms of the King of Aragon. While not existing still in the Middle Ages, the concept of national flag as understood today, the true symbol of the nationality was constituted on the royal shield.

Arms of the City of Valencia

It is traditionally considered that a Senyera was granted by James I of Aragon as the arms of Valencia following the Christian conquest from Moorish rule in 1238, although the earliest sources related to this are dated in 1377, when the City Council agreed to replace the old arms used for seals with a new one with the Senyera.[2] While the origins of the usage of the Senyera as a coat of arms remain unclear in the agreement, a crown in the helm and two "L" as supporters were added, according to an honour awarded by Peter IV of Aragon for the loyalty and courage shown by Valencians to him in several wars such as the War of the Two Peters against the Kingdom of Castile.

This Valencian coat of arms began to be used in textile standard as a pennon, including the crown in a fringe, although the blue colour was slightly different. It was bipartida, meaning two swallow tails, or abocellada (Spanish: abocelada), that's only one swallow rounded and higher tail. The latter is one of the two shapes used and officially regulated today,[3] together with the rectangle, for Valencian municipalities.[4]

The only currently preserved pennon, commonly considered a copy of the original, was made in the 17th century and is kept, though very damaged, at the City Historical Archive of Valencia.

Flag protocol

The flag of Valencia is to be hoisted both outside and inside of each and every public and civil building of the Valencian Community, without endangering the prominence and most honorable place of the Flag of Spain. It has to be hoisted at the right of the National flag (left from viewer's point). The Flag of Valencia should not be larger than the Flag of Spain nor smaller than the flags of other entities.[5]

Historical flags
  • The Pennon of the Conquest of Valencia. Unknown ratio
    The Pennon of the Conquest of Valencia. Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Unknown ratio
  • Flag used by Pre-autonomous Council of the Valencian Country (1979–1980). 2∶3
    Flag used by Pre-autonomous Council of the Valencian Country (1979–1980). Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 2∶3
  • Proposed flag during the Statute of Benicassim. Unknown ratio
    Proposed flag during the Statute of Benicassim. Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Unknown ratio
  • Historical version of the Valencian senyera, between 15th and 18th centuries. Unknown ratio
    Historical version of the Valencian senyera, between 15th and 18th centuries. Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Unknown ratio

Political Flags

  • Hoisted at the Palau de la Generalitat
    Hoisted at the Palau de la Generalitat
  • Flying at top of Tower of Serrans (Valencia)
    Flying at top of Tower of Serrans (Valencia)
  • Another senyera hoisted at Tower of Serrans
    Another senyera hoisted at Tower of Serrans
  • At top of Towers of Quart (Valencia)
    At top of Towers of Quart (Valencia)

See also

References
  1. "Estatuto de Autonomía de la Comunidad Valenciana." [Statute of Autonomy of the Valencian Community]. Article 4, Ley Orgánica No. 5/1982 of 1 July 1982 (in Spanish). Vol. 164. pp. 18813–18820 – via BOE.
  2. Manual de Consells. 1375–1383. f. 87r. A-17 – via Arxiu Municipal de València (AMV).
  3. "Por el que se regulan los símbolos, tratamientos y honores de las entidades locales de la Comunidad Valenciana". Article 12.2, Decret No. 116/1994 of 21 June 1994 (PDF) (in Spanish and Catalan). Vol. 2302. pp. 7411–7420 – via DOGV.
  4. Examples of this shape are the official flags of Vall de Gallinera and Betxí. See Consell Tècnic d’Heràldica i Vexil·lologia (2019). Escuts i banderes dels municipis de la Comunitat Valenciana [Coats of arms and flags of the Valencian Community municipalities] (in Spanish and Catalan). Valencia, Spain: Generalitat Valenciana. pp. 228, 270. ISBN 978-84-482-6420-8.
  5. "Por la que se regulan los símbolos de la Comunidad Valenciana y su utilización". Título V, Ley No. 8/1984 of 4 December 1984 (in Spanish). Vol. 23. pp. 2256–2262 – via BOE.
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