Flag of the Second Spanish Republic

What the flag looks like

Three equal horizontal stripes of red, yellow and purple, with the coat of arms of the Republic in the center.

What it means

Purple was added to the red and yellow of the old Spanish flag to represent Castile, whose banner was then believed to have been purple.

How to remember it

The Second Spanish Republic swapped the bottom red stripe of Spain's flag for purple, and made the three stripes equal: red, yellow, purple.

Fun facts

• The Republic ended in 1939 with Francisco Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War.
• The tricolor is still flown at demonstrations by Spaniards who favour abolishing the monarchy.

Second Spanish Republic at a glance

Existed

1931–1939

Flag used

1931–1939

Today

Spain

Capital

Madrid

Region

1931–1939

Languages

Spanish

Currency

Spanish peseta (Pta)

Flag adopted

1931

Flags often confused with the Second Spanish Republic

• Spain: The Second Spanish Republic and Spain both have red and yellow horizontal stripes with a coat of arms. The Republic has three equal stripes with purple at the bottom; Spain is red, wide yellow, red.
• Francoist Spain: Francoist Spain and the Second Spanish Republic both have red and yellow stripes with a coat of arms. Francoist Spain is red, double-width yellow, red with a black eagle; the Republic has three equal stripes ending in purple.