Coat of arms of Italy
The Coat of Arms of the Italian Republic depicted here has been the symbol of the Italian Republic since May 5 1948. Technically it is a pictorial image rather than a coat of arms, as it was not designed to obey traditional heraldic rules.
Meaning
The emblem comprises a white five-pointed star, with a red border, superimposed on a five-spoked cogwheel which stands between an olive on its left and a branch of oak on its right; the branches in turn are bound by a red ribbon bearing the legend "REPVBBLICA ITALIANA" (i.e. Repubblica Italiana, Italian Republic in Italian).
- The star is an ancient symbol for the personification of Italy (Italia Turrita), usually shining on her head, and was a symbol of the Kingdom of Italy from 1890;
- The steel cogwheel refers to the first article of the Constitution of Italy, which says that "Italy is a democratic Republic based on work"; its shape recalls also a mural crown, another symbol used for the personification of Italy;
- The olive branch stands for the Republic’s desire for peace, internal and international, and refers to Article 11 of the Constitution ("Italy rejects war [...]");
- The oak branch stands for the strength and dignity of the Italian people.
Oak and
History
The decision to provide the new Italian Republic with an emblem was taken by the government of Alcide De Gasperi in October 1946. The design was chosen by public competition, with the requirements that all political party emblems were forbidden and that the emblem was to include the Italian star. The five winners were assigned further requirements for the design of the emblem: it should represent a mural crown, with the star and the sea, and the words "Unità" and "Libertà" (Unity and Liberty). The winner was Paolo Paschetto, and the emblem was presented in February 1947.
This version, however, did not meet with public approval, so a new competition was held, which again was won by Paolo Paschetto. The new emblem was approved by the Constituent Assembly in February 1948, and officially adopted by President Enrico De Nicola on May 5, 1948.
References
- L'Emblema (Italian), from the website of the President of the Italian Republic.
See also
- Stellone d'Italia
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