The Italian flag consists of three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) symbolizing hope, white symbolizing faith, and red symbolizing charity; similar to the flag of Ireland, Mexico, Cote d'Ivoire, and India it was inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon.It was first flown at Modena in 1797 as the banner of the Cisalpine Republic. The Tri-Color was again proclaimed the national flag in late 1848 when King Carlo Alberto, of Piedmont and Sardinia, led the Nationalist force in his effort to free Italy of outside domination and formed a constitutional monarchy. King Alberto, of the House of Savoia, added the arms of his royal house to the flag. His shield displayed a black eagle. The whole was surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Most Sacred Annunziata, the third highest in rank of all European Orders. The Arms and Crown were removed from the Flag when Italy became a Republic in June 1946, returning the Flag’s design to the simple Tri-Color of Green, White and Red. A great flag design is one that is easy to make and identify. Note: Always display the flag with the green band on the left, (hoist side) this is a common error sometimes seen in the US. Interesting Note: When Mexico removed thier emblem from its flag, it became confusionly similar to the Italian flag, and had to put the emblem back on for the 1968 olympics, it stayed on ever since.