Senyera
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Image:Flag of Catalonia.svg Image:RoussillonCoA.gif The Senyera is a vexillological symbol which consists of four red stripes on a golden background. It historically represented the king of Crown of Aragon and Count of Barcelona. Current official flags of Aragon, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Land of Valencia, among many others, are based upon this symbol. In Catalan language, senyera is also a synonym of bandera (flag in Catalan), but by antonomasy, the word normally refers to this symbol.
The Senyera is said to be one of the oldest flags of the world. According to a 14th century legend, the flag dates back from the 9th century; but it more likely derives from 11th century or 12th century pre-heraldic symbols.
The legend tells that the four red bars were drawn on Wilfred I the Hairy's (Count of Barcelona) golden shield by king Charles the Bald's fingers drenched with blood from the Count's war wounds.
The plain version of this flag was mainly used since the early 20th century by Catalan nationalists. Later, it has been used as official flag of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia during the Second Spanish Republic and since Spanish transition to democracy. In its plain version, it is also used in the French Département of Pyrénées-Orientales, part of the former territory of Catalonia. It is also used as the flag of Provence, a distinct region with historic ties to Catalonia.
There are a few variations in the official flags of other territories. For instance, in Aragon an extra coat-of-arms, in Balearic Islands a castle in the canton, and in Valencia a blue fringe on the hoist.
See also
External links
es:Barras de Aragón nl:Vlag van Catalonië pl:Flaga Katalonii wa:Drapea del Catalogne Template:Catalonia-stub