Italy Flags – Italian Tricolore, Bunting & Table Flags

Italy flags: the Italian Tricolore

The Italian flag is three equal vertical bands of green, white and red, green at the hoist, in a 2:3 proportion. The tricolore was first adopted on 7 January 1797 by the Cispadane Republic at Reggio Emilia, the city that still calls itself the flag’s birthplace. The Kingdom of Italy flew it from 1861 with the Savoy arms in the centre, and the plain version became the flag of the Republic on 1 January 1948 under Article 12 of the constitution. Our Italy flag keeps the green band at the pole and uses the deep green and bright red of the official shades rather than the washed-out tones of cheaper prints, which is what separates an Italian flag from an Irish or Mexican one at a glance.

The Italy State 1861–1946 flag reproduces the royal version with the crowned Savoy shield for re-enactors, collectors and period displays, and the Italian Navy Ensign DuraFlag carries the quartered arms of the four maritime republics — Venice, Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi — for maritime museums and naval associations.

Republic Day, the Azzurri and the Six Nations

Festa della Repubblica on 2 June marks the 1946 referendum that ended the monarchy and is the day Italian restaurants, consulates and cultural institutes across Britain decorate; Liberation Day on 25 April and Ferragosto on 15 August follow. Football tournaments and every Six Nations round when Italy come to Twickenham, Cardiff, Murrayfield or Dublin bring the hand-flag orders, and Italian delis, pizzerias and ice-cream parlours keep a tricolore flying all year.

Which size Italian flag?

5ft x 3ft is the one to hang outside a restaurant or fly from a 20ft telescopic garden pole. 3ft x 2ft suits a shorter pole, a classroom or a bedroom; 8ft x 5ft is for a club flagpole or a stage. All sizes have eyelets, and the DuraFlag grade can be supplied with rope and toggle or clips.

Flagtex, Flagtex Nylon and DuraFlag grades

Flagtex is the budget woven polyester, printed through so the colours show on both faces and priced for parties and supporters. Flagtex Nylon is the mid grade with a tighter weave and a quadruple-stitched fly end for regular outdoor use. The DuraFlag Italy flag is made for restaurants and consulates that fly a flag every day: 150gsm knitted polyester, double-stitched hems, a reinforced header and UV-fast inks.

Italy bunting

Italy bunting is cut from the same weatherproof polyester as the flags and sewn to a strong tape, so it can hang across a terrace or a trattoria window for the whole summer. Triangle pennants give a street-festival look; rectangle pennants show the full tricolore on each flag. Pair it with Sardinia bunting or Sicily bunting for a regional night.

Hand flags, table flags and windsocks

Italy hand flags on wooden sticks are sold singly and in packs for match days, school language weeks and welcome parties. The Italy table flag with base suits a restaurant counter, a reception desk or a conference table, with an 1861–1946 royal table flag for period settings, and the Italy windsock adds movement to a garden or campsite pole.

Sardinia and Sicily flags

Two island flags sit in this collection. The Sardinia flag carries the Four Moors on a St George’s cross, and the Sicily flag shows the three-legged Trinacria on red and yellow; both are available as bunting, Sardinia hand flags, Sicily hand flags and table flags with bases. Neighbouring nations from San Marino and Malta to Switzerland and Austria are listed under world flags.

Italy flag FAQs

Popular in this collection

• Italy Flag (3x2 to 8x5ft, 3 grades)from £6.99
• Italy Buntingfrom £9.98
• Italy Hand Flagspacks
• Italy Table Flag with Basedesk size
• Sicily FlagTrinacria
• Sardinia FlagFour Moors