Origins and Meanings of the Basque Flag, the Ikurriña

Curious to learn more about the Basque Country? In this video, I'm going over where the Basque flag came from, why it's called the ikurriña in Euskera, the Basque language, and some theories about its many meanings and symbolism. This flag is prevalent not only in many parts of the Basque Country, but also it is widely used in the Basque diaspora all around the world. Discover it's not-so-distant origin story in this video.
Photo credits: Heralder, Jens Pattke
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#Basque #BasqueCountry #Ikurrina #Ikurriña
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[@MrDmbobcat]

Theory 2! I would say flag colors were prety formal back then. Red is said to symbolizes strength and valor and would be a very nationalist color. I see a similarity to the people of Japan pre ww2 where, I would say any basque would be willing to die fighting for their nation. So id say it symbolizes blood in that sense. So the blood of the Basque people protected by the land and lead by God.

[@montimuros2837]

As a Galician, I've always been interested in Basque culture and history, but now I'm really convinced to learn euskara! I have to perfect my Portuguese and Catalan first though :)

[@xabiermunos7415]

Hi there. You will see often the lauburu over the ikurrigna. Or even the "Zazpiak bat" : that's beautiful when you see all seven provinces United in one symbol, each province represented by its own coat of arms.

[@Eras5797]

Hey! I live in Johnson County and have loved watching your videos. Learning more about the Basque that I didn’t get to learn from my grandfather. My great great grandparents came from the France side of the Basque Country. Every 7 years we celebrate the Basque culture in Johnson County and all the families come together and have an amazing time!!

[@HellaBasque]

Glad you found the channel and that you've found some use in these videos! Happy to hear Johnson County still has a Basque presence too :D

[@glenking877]

Excellent video. Spent a lot of time in the marvellous Basque country many years ago. Always admired the determination and tenacity of its proud people. The flag is a magnificent statement of the attributes of the region historical, present and future. I was led to believe whilst there that the cross is the Catholic connection, the green is of its countryside and the red is the blood of the Basque population. Spilt or otherwise! Keep up the good work it's empowering I am sure.

[@hiartbarruetabena7375]

Hi there!!! I'm from Gernika (Bizkaia) and I've been told/tought that white represents religion, Green represents the greenery/ nature that we are surrounded by and red represents all the Blood/deth/humiliation that bask people have suffered defending our land, lenguage and culture. Jarraitu horrela!!! Thanks for teaching the world about our lenguage and culture

[@aricegana2382]

That's so cool your from Gernika, my family is from Aulesti.

[@ABG703]

Ni Muruetakoa naz👌🏻👌🏻

[@chrisgreenspon5610]

In La Puente (So Cal) there was a Basque restaurant, and a Basque handball club.

[@lucieweaver3324]

Great job and info!!

[@HellaBasque]

Thank you!

[@magiadeterra]

I was told the same thing about the flag. Red and white for the houses and green for Pyrenees.

[@kitbruttig1995]

My wife, Lia de las Carreras is of Basque Heritage via Buenos Aires Argentina. Looking forward to attending the Basque Festival in Buffalo Wyoming.

[@ekhimantzizidor]

Aupa Euskal Herria eta Ikurriña 💪🏻❤

[@jeffreyhooker8797]

Hi Anne Marie, How interesting that Johnson County WY. has the Basque colors and design. I didn’t know. I appreciate all you do for the diaspora.

[@teresawahl3058]

Also every province and town has its own flag and coat of arms.

[@emilyelizando5684]

Teresa Wahl that is true! Like my last name Elizando being a town and being that it's a coat of arms. Which mine would be black and white checker.

[@spasojegrkic3229]

Kaixo! Oso informazio interesgarriak eman dizkiguzu!

[@teresawahl3058]

Sorry. To clarify my previous comment, besides the ikurriña, each province as well as its corresponding capital city has its own flag. Also, each town has its own distinctive coat of arms as well.

[@EvaLasta]

Your name is germanic for non germanic speaker (usually a latin language speaker of celtic speaker)

[@MrDmbobcat]

FUN WITH FLAGS The origin of the Senyera is pretty cool as well and hey more blood haha.

[@iberia169]

The flag is beautiful. Also I think that in an island called sant pierre et miquelon, it flag has the basque flag

[@CruelusRex]

The shape of the ikurriña is not necessarily based on the Union Jack, at least not exclusively. It's more likely taken from the Kingdom of Navarre's (and modern day Navarre) flag, which has the same pattern.

[@EvgeniyaLarioshkina]

Eta hori oso interesgarria da. 👍

[@warrior60234]

¡Aúpa! Indeed, the red of the flag represents the blood of enemy soldiers spilled during the battle of Arrigorriaga (or Padura). Arrigorriaga means: "place of red stones" (red because of blood). This battle which took place in the 9th century (probably mythical, we do not really know) was a screening victory of the Bizkaians against the Asturians. It is no wonder that Sabino Arana, who despised the Castilians, made reference to this battle.

[@villaruego]

I'm from Bilbao and here we say tha the red represents Bizkaia, the green the independence and the white to God.

[@elizabethann42]

First Comment!!! 🌴

[@180productions5]

You should have really put that down in Basque

[@Astepatatimekvarn]

🏆 gold 🏅

[@Astepatatimekvarn]

Educational and very pleasant to watch. 😀

[@franciscojaviercepero3125]

This is the flag of the most beutiful autonomus communities of spain ❤💚🤍🇪🇸🇪🇸

[@rogerbowers7866]

Do each of the provinces have their own coat of arms? and if so, can you post them. I live in Basse Navarre.

[@xabiermunos7415]

Look up into the heraldic nickname zazpiak bat.u will see the coat of arms for every province.

[@montimuros2837]

The thing is, High Navarre and Lower Navarre basically share the same coat of arms and flag because of their common history. So in the Zazpiak Bat, they are represented by a single symbol for both. P.S: I've always wanted to visit Donibane Garazi! It's where the Way of Santiago begins (I live in Santiago btw :)

[@albertfachan1470]

Ann marie you are one gorgeous young basque beauty it a pleasure to be educated by you

[@vltimate-lavncher-orev]

Quedaría mejor la bandera sin la cruz blanca ya que la verde es más cool porque simboliza al árbol de guernica y es más céltico

[@iparipaitegianiparipaitegi4643]

The colours of the Ikurriña represents the slogan of the Basque nationalists: God and the old Common Law. The red stands for the Basque blood. Above the Basques, the Common Law whose symbol is the Oak of Gernika (where the parliament of Bizkaia used to meet to vote the laws and govern the territory) thus the green colour. Above the Law, the white cross of the christian faith.

[@lostinstrumentalsproject7343]

Wasn't it a bit stupid to put the cross though? I mean it doesn't really represnt all basque people.

[@fredsagastume9183]

Aupa Euskal Herria eta Ikurriña! Aupa Guatemala!

[@julienfarbos]

4 + 3 = 1

[@voiceinthewilderness3353]

Ikur a covenant.

[@charlesescano]

British

[@voiceinthewilderness3353]

Christ covers the land of His Blood. The Blood that was spilt on the land for Christ.

[@user-ds1fd2rm4p]

I could design a much better flag , Johnson County 😮