Introduction
The flag of the Community of Madrid is a distinctive regional banner within Spain, characterized by a deep crimson red field. At its center lies the region's official coat of arms, which is the flag's primary and most complex visual element. This design starkly differentiates it from the simpler red-and-yellow triband of the Spanish national flag.
The flag's proportions are standard for Spanish regional flags, and its use is governed by specific legal statutes. The central coat of arms features a castle, stars, and a crown, each carrying significant historical and heraldic meaning for the region.
Unlike many other Spanish autonomous communities, Madrid's flag does not incorporate traditional stripes or crosses, opting instead for a solid field that highlights its heraldic emblem. The crimson red background is a direct reference to the color of the historic Castilian banner, asserting the region's historical and geographical ties to Castile.
Meaning & Symbolism
The deep crimson red field symbolizes the historic Kingdom of Castile, of which Madrid was a core territory, representing a direct link to the region's past. The central coat of arms encapsulates Madrid's identity and aspirations through its composite symbols.
The seven five-pointed silver stars on a blue background within the shield represent the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear or Big Dipper), which is featured on the coat of arms of the City of Madrid. The golden castle with blue gates and windows is a classic heraldic symbol of Castile. Together, they are topped by the Royal Crown of Spain, indicating the region's status as an autonomous community within the constitutional monarchy.
History of the Community of Madrid Flag
The flag was officially adopted on December 23, 1983, following the approval of the Statute of Autonomy for the Community of Madrid. Its design was established by the Organic Law 2/1983, which formally created the autonomous community. The adoption marked a key moment in the region's political development following the restoration of democracy in Spain.
The design process involved adapting the existing heraldic symbols of the region, particularly those of the City of Madrid, into a cohesive emblem for the broader community. The choice of the crimson red background was a deliberate historical reference to Castile, settling the question of the region's visual identity within the framework of Spain's other autonomous communities.
Curiosities
- The seven stars on the shield are officially described as representing the constellation Ursa Major, but they are also popularly associated with the seven stars depicted on the coat of arms of the City of Madrid, which date back to the Middle Ages.
- Unlike most Spanish autonomous communities, the Community of Madrid's flag uses a solid color field instead of horizontal stripes, making it one of the more heraldically simple regional designs in terms of layout.
- The specific shade of red is defined in heraldic terms as 'crimson' (Spanish: 'carmesí'), which is distinct from the brighter red used on the national flag of Spain.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Community of Madrid in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag follows standard Spanish regional proportions of 2:3 (width to length). The deep crimson red field is solid. The coat of arms is centered on the flag and its height is officially stipulated to be two-thirds the height of the flag's hoist. The shield's internal elements, including the seven silver stars arranged in four and three rows and the golden castle, have specific heraldic specifications but are not defined by precise measurements in the flag law.
Flags Similar to Community of Madrid Flag
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique central emblem, but the red field can be confused at a distance with other plain or primarily red flags.