Principality of Elba Flag 2

This flag was designed by Napoleon himself after he was exiled in 1814 to rule the tiny island of Elba in the Mediterranean.

The significance of the emblem selected by the Emperor has long been a topic of debate among historians. The flag features a white field, divided diagonally by a red stripe originating from the upper side of the flagpole and adorned with three golden bees. Napoleon, in his quest to establish something both novel and resonant with the people of Elba, drew inspiration from various sources. The predominant white color echoes the flags of the House of Medici and the House of Appiano, while the red hue recalls the banners of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. The diagonal stripe, devoid of diamonds, mirrors the specific design of the Appiano flag.

The inclusion of the bee—a potent symbol during Napoleon's reign in France—was a deliberate choice to forge a connection between his new dynasty and the ancient Kingdom of France. Golden bees, unearthed in 1653 in Tournai within the tomb of Childeric I (father of Clovis I and founder of the Merovingian dynasty in 457), served as the earliest emblem of the French monarchy. They symbolized immortality and resurrection, embodying a profound sense of continuity and regality.

• Knitted fabric
• 100% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.42 oz/yd² (150 g/m²)
• Print on one side
• Blank reverse side
• 2 iron grommets