The flag of Liguria is the official banner of the Italian autonomous region of Liguria. It was formally adopted on 7 July 1997, the same date on which the region approved its current coat of arms and emblem.
Design
- Field: A plain white background.
- Charge: The central element is the coat of arms of Liguria, positioned in the centre of the flag.
- Proportions: The flag’s official proportions are 2:3.
Coat of arms (central emblem)
The coat of arms, which also serves as the region’s emblem, is a shield that incorporates stylised symbols intended to represent Liguria’s characteristic geography and historical heritage. The shield is divided into three principal sections that evoke the sea, the mountains, and the land, and it is surmounted by a mural crown, a common feature in Italian regional heraldry.
Legal basis
The flag’s adoption is recorded in the regional law “Statuto della Regione Liguria” (Law No. 1/1997) and subsequent regulations that specify the exact dimensions, colours, and usage protocols.
Use
The flag may be displayed on public buildings, at official regional ceremonies, and in conjunction with the Italian national flag. Its use follows the guidelines set out by the regional government concerning size, placement, and occasions.
Historical context
Prior to 1997, Liguria did not have a distinct regional flag; the region was represented by the national flag of Italy. The introduction of the flag and coat of arms was part of a broader movement among Italian regions in the 1990s to adopt specific symbols reflecting local identity.
Notes on description
While the general layout of the flag (white field with the central coat of arms) is well documented, detailed scholarly descriptions of the individual elements within the coat of arms (such as precise heraldic terminology and symbolism) vary among sources. Consequently, the brief description above reflects the most widely accepted representation without venturing into contested or speculative details.