Medusa is an instantly recognizable figure from ancient Greek art. They wanted to remark their detachment from the Italian government. The emblem was included in the design of the Army Gold Medal awarded to British Army majors and above who had taken a key part in the Battle of Maida (1806). Perhaps by mistake, due to its rather complicated design, this flag was often depicted with shoulder positions swapped (eagles up and down and stripes right and left). [4], The Triskeles-with-Gorgoneion symbol is found in antiquity, depicted on coins minted in Syracuse in the 4th century BC. Subscribe now to our newsletter . Summary: The flag is characterized by the presence of the triskeles in its middle, the (winged) head of Medusa and three wheat ears, representing the extreme fertility . The head refers to Greek mythology, it is said to be Medusa, a gorgon (monstrous creature) with a head of snakes, a beautiful woman seducing men who, upon looking at her, were turned into stone. Sicily in the classical Greek period, see History of Greek and Hellenistic Sicily; Name for the Kingdom of Sicily during the 1300s; Name for the emblem of Sicily (the triskeles with the Gorgoneion Medusa), see Triskelion#Sicily. The Sicilian triskeles is shown with the head of Medusa at the center. Sometimes, you might see American Flags with gold fringes along the edges. Why do men have three legs? Agreed. All rights reserved. It is about a boy who could swim underwater for long periods of time and was put to the test by the king. Together with the Egadi, Lipari, Pelagie, and Panteleria islands, Sicily forms an autonomous region of Italy. But it was the deeper symbolism of Medusa that compelled Versace to adopt the figure as the central image of the Versace logo. the ancient Name of Sicily. These poetic meanings likely were given after the fact, as the modern Italian flag resulted from the historical merging of regional governments. Within six weeks, approximately 13,000 French men and women were slain by the rebels, and th, revolution against King Charles Ist, with the colors of red and yellow, still used nowadays and symbolizing the union of Palermo (the capital of the island) and Corleone. Trinacria is a Greek word that means ' three pointed'. Translated into English by Daniela Marsala. The one above is on a wall, and the lemons, another Sicilian trademark, are a nice touch. In 1254, for a brief spell, Sicily was ruled by Edmund Crouchback, son of Henry III, King of England. Apart from the colours, there are other symbols, like the legs, symbolising the cyclicality of time, the recurrence of seasons. If not, click here and check our article! Thereafter the old Kingdom of Sicily was centered on the mainland, with its capital at Naples, and although informally called 'Kingdom of Naples' it was still known formally as 'Kingdom of Sicily'. There she is, her face a fearsome grimace, with fanged grinning mouth, protruding tongue and bulbous eyes. The origin of this flag dates back to 1282, during the " Sicilian Vesper ", the rebellion of Sicilians against Angevins; having a flag was very important because it represented the Sicilian people against the stranger ruler. Your email address will not be published. A nickname of the modern Flag of Sicily; Trinacria, a genus of bivalves in the family Noetiidae Also, I see some versions with winged feet and some without. They celebrate the extraordinary fertility of the island of Sicily that at the time used to be the granary of the empire of Rome. The mythical Medusa became a perfect symbolic figure to represent the Versace brand. It is about a boy who could swim underwater for long periods of time and was put to the test by the king. The law states that the Sicilian flag is exposed to the outside of the Sicilian Parliament, Regional Government, Provincial Councils and Municipal Councils, Educational institutions of each levels, and the buildings used as . How old is this flag? The addition of a pair of wings to the head of the Gorgon is modern (1848), the three ears of corn were added in the 1940s. A creative and strategic powerhouse in her own right, Donatella wanted to ensure the Versace brand was poised to flourish in the 21st century. A gonfalon combining the coats of arms of Norman Sicily, the Hohenstaufen emperors, and the Aragonese kingdom of Sicily with the triskeles emblem was adopted by the Sicilian Regional Assembly in 1990. Over thehistory, we can find the use of Trinacria also inCrete, Macedonia, and in Celtiberian Spain. The flag officially became the symbol of Sicily in 1282 after a successful revolt by the Sicilians against Charles the I. The oldest known representation of the Trinacria is a terracotta vase housed in the Archeological Museum of Agrigento. If you are interested in Sicily Mythology, the Trinacria Symbol, and the Tradition of Sicilian Ceramics, you can check our Sicily Tours. In the Trinacria, the head of Medusa stands in the centre. Hellenic heritage and mythology were among Gianni Versaces muses. Medusa was one of the three Gorgonsin classical Greek mythology, and the only one who was mortal. Medusas head is encircled by a ring of Greek keys - decorative patterns based on single lines that twist like a maze another quintessential Versace design motif. Some rare theories have sparked up that the yellow half symbolises the sun and the red one symbolises blood, but it seems to be pretty stretched. This is why, they say, the island has three corners which . Don't worry though: she is not meant to turn the island's inhabitants or the guiltless visitors into stone. Stattdessen reprsentiert die Medusa die Gttin Athene der antiken griechischen Mythologie, die Schutzgttin der Insel. Le tre spighe di grano furono aggiunte in epoca romana, quando la Sicilia era uno dei maggiori granai dell'impero romano; nel complesso simboleggiano la fertilit e la prosperit del territorio. First adopted in 1282 by the Sicilian Vespers, it is currently the official flag of the autonomous Sicilian region. Lets find out more about the history of Sicily. Their dance became even more graceful and they decided to throw into the sea everything they had collected around the planet. This flag has been used during the revolutions of 1848 and the Italian Risorgimento, but it became the official one only on 4 January 2000, 718 years after its creation. triskelion This regional symbol has deep historical and religious roots, which make Sicilians what they once were and what they still are, as if it was the chest of their most untouchable secrets. The flag was used during the medieval revolution of the Vespers. This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to help show content that is more relevant to your interests. After winning the war, the Allies helped Sicily become independent from Italy. Around that time, the last member of the Crovan family, rulers of the Isle of Man, died in 1265 without a legitimate heir. Hospitality, Courses & Italian Culture in Apulia (online & offline), Babilonia Italian courses in Taormina, Sicily, Learn Italian in Genoa and Online - Centro Studi Italiani (Ex Scuola Tricolore). Medusa's head became a symbol of protection and was used widely on buildings, amulets and armour. Not only do the colors of the American Flag hold deeper meanings, but so do the patterns on the flag. I hope it helps! Io penso che le tre punte del simbolo della Sicilia e che il numero 3 e il numero perfetto(le tre trinita ect,)e cosi e la Sicilia , terra decantata da grandi poeti, famosi pittori, adornata da grandi architetture,lambita da tre mari di mitica temperatura( da non invidiare nessun mare nel mondo),tre estremita che indicano i piu famose punti cardinali,baciata dal un sole,a volte spendente e cocente che dauna sensazione rilassante;da ogni punto terrestre si puo contemplare meravigliosi paesaggi,con una multitudine di colori, e sopratutto la tanta decantata veduta da Muncibeddu( Monte S. Pellegrino) la cosi detta La Conca DOro,che i riflessi del Sole rispecchiati dalle arangie negli alberi da un colore giallo vivido, che il famoso poeta IngleseMilton lo cita in un suo libro.Terra affascinante ma negleta per tante ovvie ragione. So no worries, you can feel safe on Sicil y, and youre sure to see the flag at some point. Colapesce did not waste any time: he plunged, came back promptly with the precious goblet and narrated the wonderful submarine landscape he had just admired. In particular, you can book a Five Days Tour of Sicily, if you want to see and learn everything about the history of Sicily. Receive updates, access to exclusive deals, and more. She streamlined certain areas of Versace design while expanding and diversifying the overall product line. Ever since, whenever an earthquake shakes the island the Sicilians know that its the poor Colapesce being tired and moving the broken column on his other shoulder. Colours in Sicilian and ItalianRussu Rosso Red.Niuru Nero Black.Bblu Blu Blue.Virdi Verde Green.Jiancu Bianco White.Oru Oro Gold.Griggiu Grigio Grey.Jaddu/Jarnu Giallo Yellow.More items. The origin of this flag datesback to 1282, during the Sicilian Vesper, the rebellion of Sicilians against Angevins; having a flag was very important because it represented the Sicilian people against the stranger ruler. The three legs, another greek symbol, are the three corners of Sicily: cape Peloro (near Messina), cape Passero (near Siracusa) and cape Lilibeo (near Marsala). Sicilians or the Sicilian people are a Romance speaking people who are indigenous to the island of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the largest and most populous of the autonomous regions of Italy. The emblem was included in the design of the Army Gold Medal awarded to British Army majors and above who had taken a key part in the Battle of Maida (1806). Right at the center of the Sicilian symbol, we can identify the head of Medusa, with her snake-haired head and golden wings. The color green is at the hoist side. The symbol of Sicily known as the Trinacria or Triseklion is said to be derived from a myth about three nymphs. But the goddess was also known for her help to fight the forces of evil. Il Parlamento decreta: Che da qui innanzi lo stemma della Sicilia sia il segno della Trinacria senza leggenda di sorta. Combativeness and courage to fight against the oppressor: that is what has always distinguished Sicilian people since the flag was created, as the symbol of a strength that never decreased. The color green is at the hoist side. And what about you? The face in the middle represents Medusa, who is familiar from Greek mythology as being able to turn anyone into stone if you look at her face - and according to Sicilians, it is on the flag because it "protects" Sicily from any enemies it may have. Genau in der Mitte des sizilianischen Symbols knnen wir das Haupt der Medusa mit ihrem schlangenhaarigen Kopf und ihren goldenen Flgeln erkennen. Moreover, in ancient mythology, the arrangement of the three legs suggests a rotation. Her beauty is apparent in her proportional features and fulsome lips, but her eyes remain hollow, her intentions ambiguous. In another explanation, green symbolizes hope, white is faith and red is charity. Se hai viaggiato in Sicilia, probabile che tu abbia visto, su bandiere, ceramiche e souvenir, una rappresentazione dall'aspetto strano di una testa femminile a cui sono attaccate tre gambe, flesse a formare un triangolo. The Sicily symbol and emblem of its flag is unique and mystifying. During the Sicilian Vespers the flag became the true symbol of Sicily's unity against the Angevin French. I had no idea that the flag of the Isle of Man was reminiscent of the Trinacria, the three-legged symbol of Sicily. The information shared above about the question, TOP 8 why is medusa on the sicilian flag BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 why is medieval art so bad BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why is medicine so expensive in the us BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why is medicine important BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why is medication reconciliation important BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why is medicare on my paycheck BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 why is medicare more expensive than obamacare BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why is medicare important BEST and NEWEST. If permanently displayed outside, the fringe will get damaged. Some even look for a graphical representation of Sicily on the flag, as the three legs could symbolise Capo Libibeo, Capo Peloro and Capo Passero. What is the historical difference? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. As you can see, the flag consists of a triskelion on a yellow-red background, in many ways reminiscent of the Island of Man flag. The three ears of wheat therefore remind us of the importance of agriculture on the island, but also the significance of Sicily as a provider of wheat to the Romans. Figure 1: Flag of Sicily (World Flags 2005) Two parts of this symbol have reasonable and widely acknowledged meanings behind them. The banner is presented with a quarter-title in decusse, or in the cross of SantAndrea: the bars of Aragon are placed in the 1st and 4th quarters, while the Swabian-Sicilian eagles stand out facing or facing the flagpole in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The flag changed in 2000 to the current design. A detail let us understand its peculiarity: compared to the Greek iconography, where she has serpents for hair, in this version she has thorns of wheat. The triangular shape came to be in the center of the Sicilian flag during WWII and symbolized a plan to help Sicily become independent and a free republic. The Versace Medusa head logo features the head of Medusa at its center portrayed as a beautiful woman with a supernatural aura. It resembles shape of the island, which is roughly a triangle. White is the center band, and the outer stripe is red. Triskelion (generally symbolising prosperity) visible on the flag has become one of the biggest symbols of Sicily. Behind the Trinacria. After the end of When World War II, the Italian government recognised Sicily as an autonomous region. Speaking Sicilian vs Speaking Italian Sicilian incorporates a blend of words rooted from Arabic, Hebrew, Byzantine, and Norman, unlike Italian that sounds more like a blend of Spanish and French. Higher chance of that happening than seeing a shark, for instance. The Sicilian version is the head of Medusa surrounded by three bent legs. Nicola, nicknamed Cola, was a young boy from Messina who loved swimming. Adranus or Adranos (Greek: ) was a fire god worshipped by the Sicels, an ancient population of the island of Sicily. Throughout all these years, the colors and symbols of the American Flag remained the same. Il simbolo noto come Trinacria, una parola greca che significa tre punte, in riferimento alla forma dell'isola, che ricorda un triangolo. [], [] Who does not love chocolate? The flag probably survived until 1800 - or at least no later than October 2, 1817, when the Sicilian flags were abolished - though it continued to appear on the cards for many years. N.p., n.d. Do you know whats the meaning behind that? Your email address will not be published. Is Isle of Man part of Britain? The flag of Sicily (Sicilian: Bannera d Sicilia; Italian: Bandiera della Sicilia) shows a triskeles symbol (a figure of three legs arranged in rotational symmetry), and at its center a Gorgoneion (depiction of the head of Medusa) and a pair of wings and three wheat ears. This is why, they say, the island has three corners which symbolise each feet of the nymphs. Theme Kourtier Blog by. The colours of the flag, red and yellow, are the colours of Palermo and Corleone (also famous because of the movie the godfather), first two cities in which revolt started. The origin of the Sicilian flag dates back to 1282, during the Sicilian Vesper, the rebellion of Sicilians againstAngevins. [7] The present design became the official public flag of the Autonomous Region of Sicily on 4 January 2000, after the passing of an apposite law which advocates its use on public buildings, schools, city halls, and all the other places in which Sicily is represented. The flag is characterized by the presence of the triskeles in its middle, the (winged) head of Medusa and three wheat ears, representing the extreme fertility of the land of Sicily, The triskelion symbol is said to represent the three capes (headlands or promontories of the island of Sicily), namely: Pelorus (Peloro, . The symbol is the head of Medusa (a head of snakes) surrounded by three bent running legs and three stalks of wheat. Sicilian Post is an authorized publishing. He was indeed a master designer, fueled by fearless passion for his craft and an appreciation of classical art and architecture, which he used to redefine the fashion world. The head surrounded by three legs can be seen everywhere on the enchanting island, from beautiful ceramics to little souvenir trinkets. 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