7 January 1797 (first tricolour, Cispadane Republic, 229 years)
19 June 1946 (flag of the Republic, without the Savoy arms).
Designed byNo single creator; deputy Giuseppe Compagnoni proposed the tricolour in 1797 ('father of the flag').
Design & Symbolism
Specs plus what each color and emblem means on this flag — tap an element to reveal its meaning.
Proportions
2:3
Shape
Rectangular
Colors
Green#008C45 · Pantone 355 C
By popular interpretation green evokes the plains; originally the colours come from the cockades of the Cisalpine Republic.
White#FFFFFF
White evokes the snows of the Alps (popular interpretation).
Red#CD212A · Pantone 186 C
Red evokes the blood shed for Italian unity (popular interpretation).
Construction details
Proportions 2:3. Three equal vertical bands, green at the hoist, white in the middle, red at the fly. The colours come from the cockades and uniforms of the Napoleonic era; they have no official meaning.
Construction sheet
Etiquette & protocol
How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.
Specific rules — Italy
7 January is Tricolour Day.
The flag flies on public buildings.
Common conventions
Keep the flag clean and never let it touch the ground.
Never fly a torn or faded flag — repair or replace it.
Illuminate the flag if it stays up at night.
Never use the flag as clothing, packaging or advertising.
Dispose of a worn flag respectfully, not in the trash.
Did you know?
The first Italian tricolour was adopted in 1797 by a Napoleonic-era republic, modelled on the French flag.
