Flag of the City of Buenos Aires

The flag of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires dates back to 1580, but was officially established on October 24, 1995 by the then municipal mayor Jorge Domínguez.

Background

On September 28, 1995, the Deliberative Council of the City of Buenos Aires sanctioned ordinance 49,669 that established the city's flag. The Ordinance, presented by the councilor of the Radical Civic Union José M. García Arecha (h) was promulgated on October 24, 1995 (Decree number 1,291). Article 1 of the ordinance establishes the official flag of the city as the one formed by white cloth carrying in the center the shield created by Juan de Garay in 1580, consisting of a black crowned eagle, with four eaglets and a red cross in its right claw, known as the Calatrava Cross for being the model used by the military Order from Calatrava, in Spain.

Symbolism

The main eagle represents the Spanish conquest, the Calatrava Cross represents evangelization, the crown represents the monarchy and the four eaglets represent four cities founded at that time: Santa Fe, La Trinidad ( Buenos Aires), Corrientes and Concepción del Bermejo.

Protocol

The proportions of the flag were established in article 2, which established the proportion 9:14 (1.4 meters long by 0.90 meters high), with the shield located centrally. The flag must always be displayed accompanied by the national flag, as established in article 3. It must be present in all official offices of local government officials.

The Decree was published in the Municipal Bulletin number 20 157, dated November 6, 1995.

Controversy

The flag has been the subject of controversy. Since then, two projects have been presented by Buenos Aires legislators that promote the replacement of the current flag of the City, considering that it contains "a monarchical and authoritarian symbolism" linked "to the Spanish Empire" that does not reflect "at all the thoughts of the inhabitants.