Ikurriña

The Ikurriña is the flag of the Basque Country, an autonomous community in northern Spain. Its design features a green cross superimposed on a white field, with a red rectangle in the canton. The green cross symbolizes the oak trees of Biscay, traditional emblems of the Basque people. The white background represents the Basque people themselves, and the red in the canton signifies the blood spilled in the struggle for their liberties. The Ikurriña was designed by Luis Arana Goiri, brother of Sabino Arana, the founder of the Basque Nationalist Party.

Initially, the flag was used by the Basque Nationalist Party and became a symbol of Basque nationalism. During the Spanish Civil War, it was adopted as the official flag of the Basque Country's autonomous government. After the Nationalist victory, its public display was banned by the Franco regime. However, it continued to be used clandestinely and as a symbol of resistance. Following Franco's death and the restoration of democracy in Spain, the Ikurriña was officially readopted as the flag of the Basque Country in 1979. Today, it is a widely recognized symbol of Basque identity and culture.