Italian Republic Emblem & National Symbols: Meaning Explained
Understand the Star of Italy, cogwheel, olive and oak branches, why Paolo Paschetto designed the emblem, and how it differs from the Italian national flag.
What is the emblem of the Italian Republic?
The emblem of the Italian Republic is a separate national symbol from the Tricolore. It combines a white five-pointed star outlined in red, a steel cogwheel and branches of olive and oak, tied below by a red ribbon carrying the words Repubblica Italiana.
What do the symbols mean?
How was the emblem chosen?
After the Republic was established, the government launched a public design process. The Presidency records that the final emblem emerged after about two years, two public competitions and hundreds of submitted designs.
The process began in 1946. An initial competition produced a first design by Paolo Paschetto, but it was not accepted as the final solution. A second competition followed, again won by Paschetto, whose revised emblem was approved by the Constituent Assembly in January 1948.
On May 5, 1948, President Enrico De Nicola signed the decree that formally established the emblem.
Who designed the Italian Republic emblem?
The emblem was designed by Paolo Paschetto, an artist and professor at the Institute of Fine Arts in Rome. He worked across graphics, painting, woodcut and stamp design.
Italian flag vs Republic emblem
| National flag | Republic emblem |
|---|---|
| Green-white-red vertical tricolour | Star, cogwheel, olive and oak |
| Defined by Article 12 | Established in 1948 |
| No emblem in the center | Separate state symbol |
| Used as the national flag | Used on official state documents, institutions and identity materials |
Italian Republic emblem FAQ
What does the cogwheel mean?
It symbolizes work and reflects Article 1 of the Constitution, which defines Italy as a democratic republic founded on work.
What does the star mean?
The Star of Italy is an old iconographic symbol associated with the personification of Italy.
Who designed the emblem?
Paolo Paschetto.
When was the emblem adopted?
The final emblem was formally established on May 5, 1948.
Is the emblem on the Italian flag?
No. The national flag is a plain green-white-red tricolour.
Presidency of the Italian Republic — The Emblem
Presidency of the Italian Republic — The Emblem (English)
