In heraldry and vexillology, a Spanish fess is a term occasionally used to describe the central horizontal stripe of a tricolour or triband flag that is twice the width of the stripes on either side of it.
The name is based on the most well-known example of this style of flag, the flag of Spain, and in analogy to the equivalent term for vertically striped flags, the Canadian pale. Flags of the World's Dictionary of Vexillology does not include the term but uses instead 'Spanish-style triband' and 'Unequal triband', the latter term not distinguishing between vertical and horizontal partitions of the field.
Looser definition As with the Canadian pale, a looser definition of Spanish fess also exists, in which the central stripe is considerably larger than, but not necessarily twice the width of the two outer stripes.
Flag gallery 1:2:1 proportions
Other proportions
See also The flag of Colombia, with a ratio of 2:1:1, instead of 1:2:1 The flag of Ecuador, with a ratio of 2:1:1, instead of 1:2:1 The bisexual pride flag, with a ratio of 2:1:2, instead of 1:2:1 Fess (heraldry) Bar (heraldry)
References