The Trinacria: Symbol of Sicily

The Sicilian Flag

The Sicilian Flag

The original name of Sicily was Trinacria because of it's triangular shape. The origin of the name "Trinacria" is Greek but the origin of the Trinacria symbol is actually even older. Coins from the 6th and 4th centuries AC bearing the Trinacria come from the Asian Minor (around what is now Turkey). On some of these coins, the woman had snakes instead of hair and there is no wheat.

Sirakous (Siracusa), about 336 BC

Sirakous (Siracusa), about 336 BC

The ancient Greeks however, were who decided to use the Trinacria symbol, which they had found on ancient coins, to represent Sicily. The Tinacria was actually not invented to represent Sicily! It came to represent Sicily within Ancient Greek culture.

The Romans change the snakes on the Trinacria into blades of wheat because Sicily was known at that time for its superior wheat production, it was the breadbasket of Rome. 

Roman Republic,  49 BC

Roman Republic,  49 BC

During Roman times the symbol was stamped, in mass, on coins and became famous in all the world. In fact today, the symbol of the Isle of Man, located in the Irish sea between Ireland and Great Britain is a Trinacria.

The Isle of Man flag

The Isle of Man flag