Autonomous Flags: The Ranking That Sparks Aesthetic Debate

The Best Autonomous Flag: A Ranking Divided by Aesthetics

Galicia, Navarra, Asturias, and Catalonia secured the top spots. A ranking of the autonomous communities' flags placed the Galician flag as the favorite: perfect stripe, tonalidad pueblerino, and coat of arms. Navarra and Asturias also achieved excellence with their monochromatic backgrounds. Catalonia rounded out the excellent group due to its striking geometry. But agreement breaks when discussing the flag of Spain.

The Spanish Flag Under Scrutiny

The same aesthetic criteria that praise the regional flags do not forgive the national one. It is argued that the coat of arms is not centered and that the stripes are unequal in width, which detracts from its balance. Furthermore, the combination of red and yellow, two warm colors, is deemed insufficient: "it needs a third tonalidad to create a more pleasing whole." Criticism extends to Valencia, noted for being overly complicated, while the Balearic Islands are defended by their canton. The flag of the Canary Islands, conversely, is unequivocally labeled an "ugly concoction" in every aspect.

The Proposal for Catalonia

The debate also reached the Senyera. It was suggested that the Catalan flag should incorporate a cross, as proposed by one historian, which would improve its aesthetic quality. The four bars without additions would remain a symbol of the old Crown of Aragon, thus preserving its historical value.

Vistos los argumentos, la vexilología no es ciencia exacta. Lo que para unos es sobrecarga, para otros es identidad. Y la bandera oficial del Estado acaba siendo la más criticada por los mismos que alaban el diseño autonómico. Ironías del diseño.