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.
 | |
| Use | Civil and state flag |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 10:13[1] |
| Adopted | 1983 |
This flag is used to represent the two cultural identities who share the 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]
Three centuries of Spanish presence on the American continents left a consistent footprint. In many areas of the Southern United States, for example, symbols of Spanish ancestry are preserved in the coat of arms or symbols of states and cities. Several cities like Los Angeles, California, and St. Augustine, Florida, incorporate the signs of the Kingdom of Castile on their shields or flags.
Evolution and variations
editHistoric Royal Standard
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Royal Standard of the Crown of Castile – Early Style -
14th Century Style -
15th Century Style -
15th Century Style – Variant -
House of Habsburg Rule Style (16th–17th Centuries) -
House of Habsburg Rule Style – Variant
Current flags and emblems
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Regional Government of Castile and León Ceremonial Standard.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Castile and León (Spain)". FOTW.net. Accessed January 26, 2008.
- ^ a b c Flag, emblem and coat of arms[permanent dead link]. Junta de Castilla y León website. Accessed January 26, 2008.
External links
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