   right|thumb|blue estelada (1918) thumb|right|red estelada (1972) the estelada (, ; pl. estelades; full name senyera estelada, "starred flag" or "lone star flag", from estel, "star") is an unofficial flag typically flown by catalan separatists to express their support for either an independent catalonia (spain) or independent paÃ¯sos catalans (catalan countries, i.e. the territories where catalan is traditionally spoken). the use of this flag as a protest symbol within catalan nationalism has become more notable since the 1970s' spanish transition to democracy. the design of the estelada comprises the red-and-yellow bars of the senyera, with the addition of a five-pointed star in a triangle at the hoist. == design and meaning ==  the flag dates from the early 20th century; it was most probably designed in 1918 by vicenÃ§ albert ballester i camps.vicenÃ§ albert ballester i camps grup enciclop&egrave;dia catalana it came from combining the traditional four red stripes over a gold field of the senyera with a blue triangle at the hoist containing a five-pointed white star, inspired by the flags of cuba and puerto rico. later designs combine the senyera with a yellow triangle at the hoist containing a five-pointed red star. in both designs the lone star motif means catalan independence. == history ==  thumb|right|catalonian leaflet from 1918 with the first estelada right|thumb|blue estelada (1918)  the 3rd article of the provisional constitution of the catalan republic, written and approved in 1928 in cuba by the assemblea constituent (constituent assembly) of catalan separatism, specifically provided that the official flag of the catalan republic should consist of four red bars on a yellow field, superimposed with a white five-pointed star in a blue triangle. the star in the flag comes from the early days of nationalism, the lone star symbolising national freedom and independence. cuba's fight for its independence was watched closely by the cata
1918_works Catalan_independence_movement Catalan_symbols Politics_of_Catalonia Unofficial_flags