Flag of Castilla–La Mancha depicts field
History
The region of Castilla–La Mancha may have formed before its Statute of Autonomy was drafted. The parties present in the so-called "pre-autonomous" region choose to adopt a distinctive symbol for this territory. On 11 January 1980, the board held a meeting in Albacete, Spain in which seven designs were considered. Ultimately, it was Ramón José Maldonado and Cocat, a local herbalist, who presented the final selection. The chosen design portrayed the castle enveloped in a crimson red field and complemented by a white canvas to the right, which stood in memory of the Military Orders of Calatrava, Santiago and Saint John, whose militias conquered, organized, and administered the land of La Mancha and whose banners were always red and white. One alternative design proposal also included the Cross of Saint John. The cities of Señorío Real are symbolized in the first barracks of the flag. The final design of the flag represents the historical origin of the land and was ultimately adopted as the Flag of La Mancha in Ciudad Real, 15 December 1977.