Category: Heraldry
Category: Heraldry
| 1. | From where is the heraldry that symbolizes a Contrada derived? |
| Often from the noble families that compose or composed the Contrada, from the types of trades that take place within a Contrada's borders, or from homages paid to various rulers who had passed through Siena. | |
| [
top ]
|
|
| 2. | What do the "fazzoletti" (scarves) worn around the necks of many Sienese during the days of the Palio represent? |
| The "fazzoletto" (a scarf, generally made of
silk, folded in a triangle and worn over the shoulder with two of the points
tied together in a small knot), is worn to symbolize membership in a
Contrada. In fact, on each Contrada's scarf, the colors, the Coat of Arms,
and all of the symbols that identify it are represented. It is worn by the
Contrada members only and exclusively on the days of the Palio (if one's own
Contrada is among the 10 Contradas participating in that race), and on the
occasion of the "Festa Titolare" (the celebrations which take place on the
Feast Day of a Contrada's Patron Saint). For the Contrada members, the "fazzoletto" is surely one of the most important object/symbols, and for this reason, it is regarded with much respect. |
|
| [
top ]
|
|
| 3. | Can I buy a flag/scarf of a Contrada? |
| No. flags and scarves can be bought only by Contrada members. In gift shops you can buy authorized imitations which differ slightly from the official versions. | |
| [
top ]
|
|
| 4. | I like a symbol in the flag of the Contrada X. Can I use it for the logo/advert of my firm? |
| No. Flags and symbols of the Contradas of Siena are registered, protected by the Consortium for the Protection of Palio (Consorzio per la Tutela del Palio). It's also prohibited to associate the Palio and the Contradas to anything not approved by the above mentioned Consortium. In the past there have been several cases of unauthorized exploitation each of which originated legal cases. | |
| [ top ] | |