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Regimental colors (Spain)

Last modified: 2018-10-13 by ivan sache
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Colours

In the present Spanish Army, all regiments and other units such as independent brigades, logistical groupings etc. have a red-yellow-red regulation colour. Apart from that, each battalion has a guión and each company of each battalion a banderín but these are second order flags which do not have the value of a regimental colour, nor do they receive any type of honour. These emblems have recovered symbols of the old flags, such as the Cross of Burgundy and some look similar to the former coronela and sencilla colours. The Royal Guard is no exception to this practice.
Certain old regiments, such as the Inmemorial del Rey, one of the world's oldest continuously-existing units, keep reproductions of their old coronela colours and use them in certain occasions in order to maintain their traditions, but unofficially and not subject to Regulations.
The red-yellow-red colours were introduced in 1843, but some units kept using the old coronela colours until the first years of the 20th century.

Sergio Camero, 12 February 2002

Most, if not all, military colours, cavalry and armoured units' guidons etc. are in proportios 1:1 (square).

Santiago Dotor, 14 July 1999

The book Soldados de España (Bueno, Madrid, 1998), primarily a book on Spanish army uniforms, has more than 50 Spanish military flags – mostly regimental standards or unit guidons – all in color, from 1600 to the present.

Norman Martin, 19 June 1999


Regulares units

Regulares owe their name to the fact that they were formerly Fuerzas Regulares Indígenas (Regular Native Forces). The 52nd Regulares Infantry Regiment "Melilla" bears the most decorated flag in the Spanish Armed Forces.

Santiago Dotor, 26 November 2002


1st Regulares Company of Tabor Alhucemas I

[Color]

Banderín of the 1st Regulares Company of Tabor Alhucemas I - Image by Sergio Camero, 15 September 2001

Tabor (Regiment) Alhucemas I was founded in 1911 by Lieutenant Colonel Berenguer to fight in Africa.
The main element pf the flag is the Hand of Fatima, the only human image allowed by Islam, which was adopted by this Tabor to reflect the origin of the (formerly) Moroccan native troops recruited for these units, mostly coming from the Chorfas Valley (nearby Melilla), who believe to be descendants of the Prophet.
[Adolfo Meléndez Giménez. Guiones en África]

Sergio Camero, 15 September 2001


2nd Regulares Company of Tabor Rif II

[Color]

Banderín of the 2nd Regulares Company of Tabor Rif II - Image by Sergio Camero, 13 September 2001

Tabor (Regiment) Rif II was founded in 1911 by Lieutenant Colonel Berenguer to fight in Africa.
The use of the six-pointed star is a peculiarity of these units. This star appeared in the old Moroccan silver coins, stamps and documents, and it was adopted to reflect the origin of the (formerly) Moroccan native troops recruited for these units, mostly coming from the Rif Mountains.
[Adolfo Meléndez Giménez. Guiones en África]

Sergio Camero, 13 September 2001