Introduction
The flag of Zaragoza, the capital of the autonomous community of Aragon in Spain, is a simple and bold bicolor design. It consists of two equal horizontal stripes: a crimson red stripe on top and a dark purple stripe on the bottom. This distinctive color combination is immediately recognizable and sets it apart from many other Spanish municipal flags.
The flag is officially described in the city's municipal ordinances and is used widely in civic contexts, from government buildings to public events. Its clean, unadorned design makes it highly visible and easy to reproduce, adhering to core principles of good flag design. The absence of a coat of arms or other central emblem on the common version is a notable feature.
The colors themselves are deeply symbolic, representing the city's historical identity and its status within the broader region. The flag's horizontal bicolor layout is a classic and stable design, providing a strong visual foundation for the meaningful colors it displays.
Meaning & Symbolism
The crimson red upper stripe is a direct reference to the Cross of Alcoraz, a historic symbol of the Kingdom of Aragon. This cross, which is red on a white background, is a key element in Aragonese heraldry and commemorates the legendary Battle of Alcoraz. By using this color, Zaragoza's flag affirms its historical role as a crucial capital city within the ancient kingdom.
The dark purple lower stripe holds significant historical weight for the city. It represents the Senatorial Purple of ancient Rome, honoring Zaragoza's origins as the Roman colony of Caesaraugusta. This color choice directly links the modern city to its prestigious founding over two millennia ago, symbolizing its long and continuous urban history.
History of the Zaragoza Flag
The current flag was officially adopted in the late 20th century, with its design and symbolism formalized in the city's regulatory statutes. Its creation was part of a broader movement in Spain to standardize and codify municipal symbols following the transition to democracy. The design deliberately draws upon deep historical references rather than modern political motifs.
The selection of colors was a conscious effort to encapsulate Zaragoza's dual historical pillars: its Roman foundation and its medieval importance as an Aragonese capital. The flag's adoption year is documented in the city's official municipal bylaws, which serve as its legal basis.
Curiosities
- The flag's dark purple is a relatively rare color in municipal vexillology, making Zaragoza's banner distinctive among Spanish city flags.
- A common variant of the flag exists which features the city's coat of arms centered on the bicolor field, though the plain bicolor is widely used.
- The colors are sometimes poetically described as representing 'blood and history'—the red for the blood shed in its defense and the purple for its ancient senatorial dignity.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Zaragoza 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 a standard 2:3 proportion, common for Spanish municipal flags. The field is divided into two equal horizontal stripes. The upper stripe is officially defined as a crimson red, while the lower stripe is a dark purple. No specific Pantone codes are universally mandated in the basic legal description, but the colors are clearly identified by their historical names.
Flags Similar to Zaragoza Flag
Austria
horizontal bicolor, different colors
Poland
horizontal bicolor, reversed colors
Monaco
horizontal bicolor, different colors
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique color combination, though it may be vaguely associated with other red and purple banners from Spanish history.