Trinacria,the symbol of Sicily

Why is Sicily represented by Trinacria?

How many of us know the origin and meaning of the Trinacria? The island is represented by a figure representing a female head with three legs around it. Let’s analyze together this symbol to know its origin and meaning!

Sicily or Trinacria

Let’s start by saying that the original name of Sicily was Trinacria itself. This was due to its unique shape that clearly refers to a triangle, whose vertices would be represented by three promontories: Pachino, Peloro and Lilibeo. These are represented by the three legs.
The central head refers instead to the Greek myth: some say it is Medusa, the only one among the three Gorgon not to be immortal and whose beauty fascinated all men who, as soon as they turned to look at it, turned into stone. Perhaps for this very reason it was an ancient custom to place a trinacria behind the door of the house, as a symbol of protection, or to decorate vases, houses and villas with designs representing it as a symbol of good luck.

The Sicilian flag

The official flag of the Sicilian Region consists of a red and yellow flag with the symbol of Trinacria in the middle. Why the colors yellow and red? These colors represent respectively the courage of the cities of Palermo and then Corleone that first rose up against the French during the vespers of 1282.

To know this and other stories related to Sicily book a cultural tour with us, our guides will show you the beauty of the island telling you stories and anecdotes of our land, and you too can buy your souvenir that could become your lucky charm talisman!