Flag of Castile and León

Castile and León
Use Civil and state flag
Proportion 10:13[1]
Adopted 1983

The flag of Castile and León is the official flag of the Spanish autonomous community of Castile and León. It consists of the quartered coats of arms of Castile, represented by a castle, and León, represented by a lion.

Christopher Columbus bearing the flag of the Crown of Castile when reaching the "New World"

This flag is used to represent the two cultural identities who share this administrative region, the Castle for Castile, and the Lion for León.

The lion design is attributed to Alfonso VII of León,[2] who became king of León and Castile in 1126. The castle symbol is attributed to his grandson Alfonso VIII of Castile,[2] In 1230, Ferdinand III of Castile united the two kingdoms in the Crown of Castile (1230-1715) and quartered the arms as a symbol of the union.[2]

The Spanish presence in the American continent for about three centuries has left a mark consistently. In many United States states are preserved symbols that had Spanish ancestors who settled in those lands. In fact, several states incorporate the signs of the Crown of Castile on their shields or flags (like Texas, Alabama, Puerto Rico...)

Six flags over Texas.

Evolution and variations

Historic Royal Standard

Current flags and emblems

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Castile and León (Spain)". FOTW.net. Accessed January 26, 2008.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Flag, emblem and coat of arms. Junta de Castilla y León website. Accessed January 26, 2008.

External links

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