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The ''arrano beltza'' ( Basque, 'black eagle'; it is also the Basque name of the golden eagle, ''Aquila chrysaetos'') is an ancient Basque and
Navarra
in the
Some Spanish nationalist organisations of neo-fascist character (specifically the AUN), have on a few occasions used the ''arrano beltza'' as well, presenting it as a symbol of Spanish unity. For this idea, they allege that Sancho III ruled most of Christian Spain, from León to Barcelona, and that he was cited as ''Rex Hispanorum Regum'', that is, "King of the Kings of the Hispanians".
The ''arrano beltza'' ( Basque, 'black eagle'; it is also the Basque name of the golden eagle, ''Aquila chrysaetos'') is an ancient Basque and Navarre
Navarre (; es, Navarra ; eu, Nafarroa ), officially the Chartered Community of Navarre ( es, Comunidad Foral de Navarra, links=no ; eu, Nafarroako Foru Komunitatea, links=no ), is a foral autonomous community and province in northern Spain, ...
symbol depicting a black heraldic eagle upon a yellow background. Today, it is mostly used by Basque nationalists as a symbol of sovereignty and independence.
History
The black eagle was originally the seal of King Sancho VII of Navarre but was later attributed toSancho III of Navarre
Sancho Garcés III ( 992-996 – 18 October 1035), also known as Sancho the Great ( es, Sancho el Mayor, eu, Antso Gartzez Nagusia), was the King of Pamplona from 1004 until his death in 1035. He also ruled the County of Aragon and by marriage t ...
who, when incorporating Aragon
Aragon ( , ; Spanish and an, Aragón ; ca, Aragó ) is an autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. In northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces (from north to sou ...
and Castile, had under his crown all the territories of Basque culture and language, including those traditionally Castilian, since his kingdom reached from Galicia
Galicia may refer to:
Geographic regions
* Galicia (Spain), a region and autonomous community of northwestern Spain
** Gallaecia, a Roman province
** The post-Roman Kingdom of the Suebi, also called the Kingdom of Gallaecia
** The medieval King ...
to Ribagorça
Ribagorça () or Ribagorza (; french: Rives Gorces) is a historical and natural region of Aragon and Catalonia. Located in the Pre-Pyrenees and Pyrenees area, most of its territory is mountainous. The region has been steadily losing population s ...
. From a Basque nationalist interpretation, the rule of Sancho III constitutes a historical precedent for the aspirations of the unification of the Basque-speaking territories under one independent State. From a Spanish perspective, it is one of the first attempts at forming a unified Spain.
Note that the flag is a modern interpretation of the seal.
There are no known flags prior to the 18th centuryBernardo Estornés Lasa
Bernardo Estornés Lasa, (19071999) was a Spanish lyrical poet and writer in the Basque language.
He founded and directed the General Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Basque Country (autonomous community), popularly known as the Auñamendi Encyc ...
's Spanish article onNavarra
in the
Auñamendi Entziklopedia
Pic d'Anie (Basque language, Basque Auñamendi) is a mountain of the Pyrenees in France, located close to the Spanish border. It is high.
The mountain boasts an almost perfect pyramidal shape and is surrounded by the spectacular karst landscape ...
(click on "NAVARRA - NAFARROA (NOMBRE Y EMBLEMAS)") when Father Isla describes a crimson flag with the chains and crown of the modern coat-of-arms.
Usage
This symbol is used mostly by the so-calledEzker Abertzalea
Abertzale left ( eu, Ezker abertzalea, es, Izquierda abertzale; ) is a term used to refer to the parties or organizations of the Basque nationalist/separatist left, stretching from democratic socialism to communism.
This leftist character is h ...
(Basque leftists). However, it is occasionally used by Spanish nationalists.
Some Spanish nationalist organisations of neo-fascist character (specifically the AUN), have on a few occasions used the ''arrano beltza'' as well, presenting it as a symbol of Spanish unity. For this idea, they allege that Sancho III ruled most of Christian Spain, from León to Barcelona, and that he was cited as ''Rex Hispanorum Regum'', that is, "King of the Kings of the Hispanians".
Songs
''Arrano beltza'' is also a song by Basque songwriter Mikel Laboa (later covered by rock bandNegu Gorriak
Negu Gorriak (Basque for ''"Red Winters"'' or ''"Severe/Harsh Winters"'') were an underground Spanish group from the Basque Autonomous Community. Their musical style combines various styles of rock music such as hardcore punk, hip-hop, ska, and re ...
), including the verses:
It alludes to a legend about the origin of the coat of arms and flag of Navarre.
Notes