This is not even all of them, I have about 15 collecting dust in my dresser drawer.
I have a fascination with flags. This is not because I am Canadian and wear my flag with pride on my backpack, hat, t-shirt, underwear and socks but I find them truly and utterly beautiful. They flap effortlessly in the wind and they represent their country with amazing pride.
When I first moved to Sardinia 4.5 years ago and noticed the flag of Sardinia floating angelic like against the blue sky, I was shocked. Why shocked? Well, because of the four heads blindfolded. I silently pondered the meaning behind this odd flag and vowed to find out more.
I asked my husband what the flag represents and he told me some fable about four Africans taken into the mountains and shot. This can’t be true. I allowed my Italian language skills to improve over the years and asked the same questions to the same people, no one seemed to know what the flag stands for. I can understand the confusion of the locals as the flag over the years has changed without notice and without explanation adding only increased mystery and confusion.
Over the centuries the 4 Moors have changed at times they are looking left, other times right, sometimes blindfolded other times wearing headbands, eyes open, eyes closed, bareheaded and sometimes with a crown.
I was perplexed and curious. I would get to the bottom of this mystery.
The Four Moors Flag | Bandiera dei Quattro Mori
The original flag of Sardinia
The original flag of Sardinia showing the 4 Moors heads turned to the left and blindfolded.
Official flag of Sardinia | 1999 – present day
Official flag of Sardinia. 1999 – present day. 4 Moors looking right with headbands.
The flag consists of a plain white background, St. Georges Cross and a moor’s head in each quarter.
“Some sources (who? I have no idea) state that the flag is of Spanish origin representing four Moorish invaders blindfolded for execution. However, the Sardinian Autonomous Region states that the emblem dates back to 1281, and can be seen on a seal of the Royal Chancellery of Peter the Great of Aragon.
It wasn’t until the 14th century when the Kingdom of Sardinia became part of the Confederation of the Crown of Aragon, that the Four Moors became associated with Sardinia.
Official Coat of Arms of Aragon
It was not until the 18th century that the arrangement of the heads was fixed, with the Moors facing left and being blindfolded. On July 2, 1952, by decree the emblem became the official symbol of the region, and on April 15, 1999, the official flag, but this time with the Moors facing right, wearing headbands, and with their eyes open.”
4 Moors’ beach towel with heads facing left and blindfolded.
Beach vendors continue to sell Sardinian souvenirs like beach towels, umbrellas, t-shirts and cooler bags with the 4 Moors’ heads facing left or right, blindfolded or not. Why? I don’t have the answer.
Sardinian beach umbrella with 4 Moors’ heads facing right.
Confused? Yes, so am I.
Source: Wikipedia – The Flag of Sardinia
Source: To My Sardinia – has a fantastic article on the 4 Moors.
Do you know the real story behind the 4 Moors? Please tell me below.
Interesting! The same symbol, looking left, is also on the Corsican flag, Sardinia’s neighbouring island. A single moor’s head symbol on a white background with the bandana on the forehead. This was moved off the eyes to symbolise Corsica’s liberation in the 18th century.
Ciao Kathryn,
I’ve seen the flag of Corsica only on the internet and thought how strange that these two islands would share such a symbol. The more I look into the history of Sardinia’s flag the more I’m confused to find the real answer.
The “original” one is the one with moors wearing headbands and earrings and facing left.
They changed it because perhaps it looked too sharp, outrageous and Spanish; since the moors are looking toward Spain and are in the positions of the Aragon Flag’s moors: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Official_Coat_of_Arms_of_Aragon.svg
So in 1999 they are no longer facing left but right: “Hey guys that’s Italy! I can see Rome looking right, how cool isn’t?” they no longer wear earrings nor are erroneously blindfolded.
Why do you find 4 different version of beach merchandise? It’s for several reason, some might not like the “new” flag, some others simply don’t know which is the official one, and mostly… they use the version that fits better or they like the most – as you can see in this page:
http://sardiniatee.spreadshirt.it/p5 – There is the new logo of Regione Autonoma della Sardegna (top left), there also are two variants of pirate skulls facing right and blindfolded Sardinia facing left… all done by the same guy.
Fantastic, and thank you! I had never thought about the Moors looking at Spain or Rome. It all makes sense now! I’ve seen the official coat of arms and should have included it in this post. Thank you for the links. The T-shirts are great!
The flag itself looks like beeing a flag that we got from the spanish that conquered Sardinia. Since the 4 moors came inot the island they got more and more popularity, becoming later on the symbol of the 4 countries the independent Sardinia was divided in. In time it became the symbol of the Sardinia, regardless of its original meaning (which probably was related to a battle between spanish and africans), and it is brough around the world with pride by all the sardinians! Did you see the gold medal in archery? Beside the italian flag there was ours! We are almost the only ones to bring the flag to concerts, events or strikes as our symbol of identity!
It is wonderfully surprising!
I did see the gold medal in archery, fantastic! When watching soccer matches or concert events I always scan the crowds looking for the Sardinian flag and well, the Canadian flag!
Thank you for the great explanation on the flag of Sardinia! It’s a beautiful flag and one I’m proud to adopt!
Our flag it’s the only non-national flag seen at the olympic games in London!
Very true! I’ve seen it floating around the games in London! Well done Sardinia!
I can’t answer your question, but if you ever find out, please make sure you write about it! I am as intrigued as you are now!
There is a really great explanation in the comments!
Looking to the left they are looking towards Spain, at one time in history Sardinia was ruled by Spain.
The new flag has the 4 Moors looking right, at Rome.
I usually read all the comments, but tonight I didn’t! Serves me right!
You know that I’ve read somewhere there is an interpretation that wants the red cross of the flag linked somehow to the Templars? Sardinia’s flag is certainly fertile ground for an interesting research
Ciao Angela,
I also read that about the Templars … there certainly is a lot of mystery surrounding this flag!
You can find here some additional information (in italian): http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandiera_dei_quattro_mori
Very cool, Jennifer!
Very interesting. How can they change a symbol like this. And I am sure sardinians know the meaning, at least the older ones.
No, that’s the thing. Not many locals know the meaning behind the flag. It’s shrouded in mystery, and I love it!
And who know if the tales are real …
It is a cool flag and I collect patches from the places we visit as well. I kinda like that they have a mysteriously flag. Is the place mysteriously in other aspects?
Oh yes, very mysterious! So much so that Im left in awe …
What a fascinating historical adventure this post and the comments are. Thanks so much to you and to all the commenters too.
I’m glad you found it interesting. Thank you!
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I love it when you do post like this one Jennifer and open all this debate about the history…great post
Thanks for the continued support Jo. I also love writing posts like this, I learn so much more about the island.
You were the one that put the bug in my ear, so I decided to dig deeper into this mysterious island.
I am soooooooooo glad you did !!!! I love hearing all these wonderful pieces that make it a whole. it must be fun to dig in to these types of mysteries. Might have to start doing that myself one of these days with little old NZ. Just keep ‘em coming ppppllllleeeeaaaasssseeeee
Quite fascinating! Always love stories about symbols and learning their meanings. Thanks for sharing!
And thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting!
the flag of sardinia celebrates the victory of Sardinians against the attempts of conquer by the Arabs,unlike Sicily and the Balearics, Sardinia is the only western mediterranean island together Corsica (that has got a similar flag) who was never invaded by the Saracens,
It represents 4 heads of north african pirates beheaded after the execution, the red flag is the saint George Cross, a cristian symbol, banner used by the Crusaders and the Templars.
Interesting. Religious history may have played a part in the design of this flag. :
I’m sure religious history did play a part in this flag. I like unraveling new mysterious!
oh well, I suppose I am being facetious.
I am of Sardinian origins living in Australia and as far as I can remember the 4 moors were always blindfolded and turned to the left.Lots of blood has been shed by Sardinian soldiers in various wars around the world and their flag has always been a subject of pride to them and to the many migrants from this island spread around the globe,why change it after centuries?This flag has mysterious and unclear origins,so what?Civil libertarians,bored public servants and attention seeking petty politicians suddenly found all these various meanings,all of them negative of course and they could not help themselves,they had to change it!The moors were looking towards Spain they said,what,with their eyes covered?!There are many many people that share my same view,that`s why you will find merchandise being sold with the old flag all over the island and all over the world online…… thankfully
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Grazie Jennifer….seguo il tuo Blog con vivo interesse e spesso condivido nella mia pagina FB le tue avvincenti argomentazioni! Le tue ricerche sulla nostra amata bandiera, hanno chiarito diversi miei dubbi e sono stati interessanti anche gli interventi degli altri lettori!! Un caro saluto
Maria Giovanna
Hey Jennifer!!
Just stumbled on your blog!
As Sardinian, I wondered the same ’bout the flag… and couldn’t get why it changed!!!
Well, I once heard that the flag is from the Spanish invasion and that the blindfolded Four Moors are from the old Kingdom of Sardinia: they got blindfolded cuz ashamed of submission by the Kingdom. After many years, someone (guess the region :S) decided to change the flag to represent freedom from the Kingdom, facing the Moors right and having the bands on their forehead.
I don’t know if this is right but it’s a nice story! lol
Though, few years ago someone told me…. the original flag is now back as the official flag!!!!!!
….whatever…
Ciao Anna,
It is a nice story, rather confusing but beautiful nonetheless. When I first arrived on the island I was perplexed at the different flags of Sardinia and started asking around – not a lot of people knew, so I had to do my own investigation. Thanks for stopping by! Where in Sardinia are you from?
I will def ask my mother who is from Sardegna [original spelling] and will get back to you.