Friday, October 2, 2009

Flying Flags of Argentina and Buenos Aires

The City Flag of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires together with the National Flag of Argentina
The Buenos Aires city flag bears the city coat of arms on a white banner. The original design of the coat of arms dates back to 1580 when it was created by the Spaniard Don Juan de Garay, the city's second founder. The city coat of arms consists of a crowned black full-fledged eagle holding the red cross of Calatrava in his right leg. At his feet are four little eaglets symbolizing the four settlements that were to be founded in the Río de la Plata colony according to an agreement between the Conquistador Juan Ortiz de Zárate and the Spanish King Philip II. Especially noteworthy are two oddities in the design. First, the eagle looks to his left whereas the default position for heraldic animals is right from the shield-bearer's point of view. Second, the eagle wears the royal crown which was a reserved symbol only for the highest nobility. Despite the alleged errors the coat of arms was finally officially approved in 1596.

6 comments:

Lowell said...

I always learn so much from your posts! Being an ignorant Yanqui I don't think I've noticed the Argentine flag before, and never the Buenos Aires flag. Fascinating historical commentary!

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Interesting post.

By the way, there is an Argentine flag that hangs in the Mission of San Juan Capistrano in California, along with the Spanish, Mexican, "Bear Republic" and he USA to commemorate each of the flags that have flown over the Mission during its history. An Argentine pirate captured the Mission for a day or two in 1820 or so.

AB said...

That looks like an Austrian eagle!

B SQUARED said...

Wonderful commentary on the history of the flag.

-bugsbunny- said...

waaaaaaaaa... nice post. i want to go to argentina to know their culture. but i guess not now :(

Andreea said...

The eagle has a rather intricate design. I also like the coloring scheme, with black and white and red. I didn't notice this flag when I visited BA but now I'll now what to look for next time I'm there.