About the Flag of Italy

The flag of Italy, locally referred to as "il tricolore," features three vertical stripes of green, white and red. The green is the color along the "hoist," or part of the flag closest to the flagpole.

Significance

Most people say that the colors are very significant: green symbolizing the green hills of Italy, white symbolizing the snowy Alps and the red representing the blood that was shed during the Italian Wars of Independence.

Religious Significance

Some also attribute a religious significance to the colors in the flag, theorizing that the three colors represent the Theological Virtues: hope (green) faith (white) and charity (red).

Predecessor of the Tricolor

The first use of the Italian tricolor was in 1797 (seven years after France debuted their own tricolor) by the Cispadane Republic. They used vertical stripes of the same color.

First Use

The first use of the horizontally striped Italian tricolor (as we know it today) was in 1798 under the Cisalpine Republic.

Pantone Colors

The Italian government has specific color tones registered with Pantone for the exact shades of the flag. They are Fern Green, Flame Red and Bright White.