Coat of arms of Italy

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emblem of the Italian Republic
Emblem of Italy.svg
Details
Introduced 1948
Heraldic shield not available because emblem
Other elements Star, gear wheel, oak and olive branch, banner

Italy's coat of arms existed during the monarchy . After the proclamation of the Italian Republic in 1946, the decision was made to use an emblem as a national emblem , with which one wanted to underline the departure from the previous form of government, also in terms of symbolism .

Emblem of the Italian Republic

In the heraldic sense, it is an emblem and not a coat of arms, as the shield that determines the coat of arms is not present. The emblem of the republic was designed by Paolo Paschetto , who won a competition with it in January 1948. It is one of the state symbols of the Italian Republic .

symbolism

The red bordered five-pointed white star ( Stella d'Italia ) is one of the oldest national symbols of Italy and embodies the Italian Republic in this emblem. The star lies on a gray gear as a symbol of work and progress . This is emblematic of Article 1 of the Italian Constitution , according to which Italy is a democratic republic based on work.

These symbols are framed by an oak and an olive branch as symbols of strength and peace. The opinion is widespread that the olive branch also symbolizes the south of Italy, the oak branch stands for the north. The two branches are linked by a ribbon that reads REPVBBLICA ITALIANA (Italian Republic).

criticism

The draft did not meet with the approval of all heraldists. Above all, the resemblance to the coats of arms of the socialist states, which gave themselves new symbols, is criticized. For example, Karl-Heinz Hesmer writes in his book Flags and Arms of the World :

"Unfortunately, Italy, a country of classic, simple heraldry, created a national coat of arms after the Second World War that is more reminiscent of a company logo."

There have been several attempts to introduce a new coat of arms or emblem for the Italian Republic. In the 1980s, the then Prime Minister Bettino Craxi campaigned for this, and the former President Francesco Cossiga also made corresponding suggestions.

In various areas, instead of the emblem described, the monogram RI (Repubblica Italiana) is used as an alternative national emblem , often under a wall crown . The latter is an element of the national allegory Italia turrita , a personification of Italy. This monogram under a wall crown is used by the Italian president , among others , without a wall crown it can be seen on Italian uniforms (especially on headgear) and on Italian euro coins .

Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy

The Kingdom of Italy led 1861-1946 arms of various kinds, always on their shield the white cross on a red background of the House of Savoy was. From 1870 to 1890 the Stella d'Italia hovered over the coat of arms , but rotated 180 degrees compared to the republican emblem. From 1890 to 1946 there was a large and a small coat of arms. The collar of the Order of Annunciations adorned both coats of arms, with the large coat of arms the collans or grand crosses of the following orders were added: Order of Knights of St. Mauritius and Lazarus , Military Order of Savoy , Civil Order of Savoy and Order of the Crown of Italy .

During the fascist era , the coat of arms was supplemented by bundles of lictors in both cases . At the time, the bundle of lictors was admitted as a symbol of sovereignty alongside the coat of arms of the kingdom.

  • Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1805–1814) under Napoleon

  • Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1870)

  • Coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1870–1890)

  • Great coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1890-1929 and 1944-1946)

  • Small coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1890–1929)

  • Small coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy (1890–1929, alternative)

  • Great coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy under Fascism (1929–1944)

  • Small coat of arms of the Kingdom of Italy under Fascism (1929–1943)

  • Coat of arms of the Italian Social Republic (1943–1945)

See also

literature

  • Karl-Heinz Hesmer: Flags and coats of arms of the world. History and symbolism of the flags and coats of arms of all states. Bertelsmann-Lexikon-Verlag, Gütersloh 1992, ISBN 3-570-01082-1 .

Web links

Commons : Coats of arms of Italy  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Italian constitution in Italian and German , website of the Trentino-South Tyrol region
  2. ^ Karl-Heinz Hesmer: Flags and coats of arms of the world . Gütersloh: 1992. ISBN 3-570-01082-1
  3. ^ Il simbolo della Repubblica Italiana - Una storia curiosa e travagliata. bergamopost.it, February 4, 2015
  4. ↑ Cifra d'onore della presidenza della repubblica , photo on quirinale.it
  5. ↑ Details on carabinieri.it