Symbol of the Island of Beauty, the Corsican flag, known as A Bandera Corsa, is the official emblem of Corsica. Its simple yet powerful design — a black Moor’s head with a white headband, on a pristine background — tells the story, the pride and the identity of a fiercely free people.
Officialized in the 18th century, under Pascal Paoli, during Corsica’s independence, the flag embodies dignity and resistance, and has since become a universally recognized cultural emblem. At the time, the Moor’s head represented victory over oppression and the emancipation of the island’s people. The bandana, once placed over the eyes, was raised to the forehead to “give sight back to the Corsican people,” symbolizing their freedom.
The origin of the Corsican flag has many theories, but two are most often mentioned: one rooted in legend, the other supported by historians.
In the 13th century, a young Corsican woman named Diana was reportedly kidnapped by the Moors. These slave traders intended to sell her to King Mohammed of Granada. Her fiancé, Pablo, rescued her and they returned to their hometown of Aléria. Furious, King Mohammed sent his lieutenant Mansour to retrieve the young woman. A terrible battle ensued, during which the Moors were defeated and Mansour’s head was placed on a stake as a trophy. Legend says that the Moor’s head was chosen as a symbol to commemorate this victory and the people’s refusal to submit.
Another proposed origin dates from the 16th century, when Corsica belonged to King Philip II of Spain. Since each belongings needed an official emblem, the Italian geographer Mainaldi Galerati suggested using the Sardinian coat of arms, but with a single Moor’s head instead of four.
“The blindfold over the eyes is a symbol of submission; I place it on the forehead to signify freedom.”
Pascal Paoli