11 Most Prominent Italian Symbols And Their Meanings
Are you looking for the most prominent Italian symbols and their meanings?
Italy, a country in southern Europe on the Apennine Peninsula. It is famous for the Renaissance and all those amazing artists their masterpieces.
A very popular tourist destination, Italy has the world’s most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many art cities, and breathtaking sceneries. Italy is also famous for the Roman Empire, the Italian language, opera, fashion and all the luxury brands.
With its rich culture and deep history, various symbols have appeared in Italy, which are used to represent the country, its people, and its history. They are seen in official matters, logos, artwork, and jewelry.
Let’s find out the most prominent ones in the list we have come up with.
11 Most Prominent Italian Symbols And Their Meanings
Italy has numerous symbols that represent different things Italian. Here’s a look into the most prominent Italian symbols.
1. Colors Green, White, and Red
No colors are ever more associated with Italy than the colors of its national flag and other important emblems: green, white, and red. These are the Italian national colors.
The green color represents Italy’s hills and plains, as well as hope.
Red stands for charity. It also symbolizes bloodshed of wars during the time of Unification and Independence.
White is symbolic of the snow-capped mountains and represents faith.
2. Coccarda Italiana Tricolore (Cockade of Italy)
Coccarda Italiana Tricolore, or the Cockade of Italy is the Italian national ornament. This cockade is created by folding a green, white, and red ribbon into pleats.
As one of Italy’s most important national symbols, the Italian cockade was used as a revolutionary symbol. It was featured on the uprisings that resulted in the Italian unification. Italian cockades were pinned on hats or jackets by many patriots of this period in the country’s history.
Coccarda Italiana Tricolore is made up of the three national colors with the green in the middle, the white on the outside, and the red on the edge.
On the very first day of the year 1948, Coccarda Italiana Tricolore officially became Italy’s national ornament, along with the birth of the Italian Republic.
3. Frecce Tricolori (“Tricolor Arrows”)
The Frecce Tricolori literally means “Tricolor Arrows.” It is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force created in 1961.
During their performances, the Frecce Tricolori’s formation of the acrobatic patrol consists of 9 aircraft, called “Pony,” which was coined in remembrance of the horse that is used as the sign of the 4th Wing.
These acrobatic jets, famous for emitting plumes of the three national colors, are among Italy’s most recognizable national symbols.
4. Altare della Patria (“Altar of the Fatherland”)
Also called the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument or simply Vittoriano, Altare della Patria is a monument in the Italian capital that was constructed to honor the first king of a unified Italy – Victor Emmanuel II.
Altare della Patria, or “Altar of the Fatherland” in English, covers the site between the Capitoline Hill and the Piazza Venezia in Rome.
Made possible by the famous Italian architect Giuseppe Sacconi, Altare della Patria is viewed as a modern forum, complete with a portico that’s characterized by a colonnade.
Since its completion in 1935, this famous monument has become a prominent symbol of Rome and Italy.
5. Festa della Repubblica (National Day)
One of Italy’s most important national symbols, the Festa Della Repubblica is celebrated every 2nd of June each year, commemorating the anniversary of the country’s winning vote to become a republic.
Festa della Repubblica, or the National Day, dates back to 1946. During the coronavirus pandemic, this symbol was used to denote “unity, solidarity and recovery.”
6. Gray Wolf
All countries have their national animals and Italy is no exception.
While the topic of the official national animal of Italy is debated, the gray wolf is considered its unofficial symbol. Also called the Apennine wolf, this animal lives in the Apennines.
Gray wolves are dominant feral animals as well as the only big predators in their natural habitat. The gray wolf is so important in Italy that it has come to symbolize the country and become its mascot.
7. Corbezzolo (Strawberry Tree)
Corbezzolo, or the strawberry tree, has been considered one of Italy’s national symbols since the 19th century – during the Italian unification.
The reason for this is because the corbezzolo‘s autumn colors are reminiscent of the Italian national colors: green represents its leaves, white its flowers, and red its fruits. It is representative of the national flag of Italy.
It all started with Giovanni Pascoli’s ode called “Al Corbezzolo,” where the poet associated the strawberry tree with the flag of Italy. This made the corbezzolo a symbol of national unity.
8. Flag of Italy
The national flag of Italy is commonly called in Italian as “il Tricolore,” or “the Tricolor,” which was inspired by the French Tricolor. The design of the Italian tricolor has been modifed various times since 1797. The version we see now is the design that was approved as the national flag of the Italian Republic in 1946.
It features the three national colors of Italy in equal sizes: green, white, and red. The colors of the Italian flag have their own symbolic meanings, which are as follows:
Green symbolizes hope, freedom, and social equality. It also represents the Mediterranean maquis and the lush green fields of the Italian landscape.
Red is symbolic of love and charity, acknowledging the blood spilled in order to form the nation.
White is the symbol for faith as well as the snows of the Alps.
9. The Presidential Standard of Italy
The Presidential Standard of Italy is the distinctive emblem that represents the Presidency of the Italian Republic, used to herald his presence and follows him wherever he goes.
The current version of the Presidential Standard is based on the square flag used during the Napoleonic Italian Republic. The standard is on a blue background, with the emblem of Italy in gold.
The square shape and blue rimming of the Presidential Standard of Italy symbolize the Italian Armed Forces, of which the president is commander-in-chief.
The Presidential Standard is hoisted on the automobiles, ships, or airplanes that carry the Italian president wherever he makes an official appearance.
10. Il Canto degli Italiani (“The Song of Italians”)
“Il Canto degli Italiani” or “The Song of Italians” is the official national anthem of Italy. Written by Goffredo Mameli and set to music by Michele Novaro in 1847, this canto is more commonly known among Italians as “Mameli’s Hymn” or “Inno di Mameli,” named after the songwriter.
“Il Canto degli Italiani” was at its peak of popularity during the unification of Italy.
After World War II and Italy became a republic, “Il Canto degli Italiani” was chosen as a temporary national anthem. The status only became official in December of 2017.
11. Pizza
Nothing is more Italian than pizza.
Pizza was invented in Naples about a thousand years ago as an affordable fastfood on the go. Thanks to this long history and a world-renowned tradition, this delicious Italian treat has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the country.
Pizza evolved from the Italian bread focaccia, dating back to the 7th century AD. When the Lombards arrived in Italy, a new Gothic-Lombard word for “bite” started to circulate: bizzo or pizzo, which was bizzen in German. However, it was only in circa 1,000 AD that the oldest official documents with the term “pizza” appeared.
For a thousand years, this delectable Italian dish which means “bite” has become such an iconic symbol of Italy, and today remains among the best associated with the country.