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Municipality of Torrevieja (Alicante Province, Valencian Community, Spain)

Coat of arms of Villena
Gonfanon of Villena
Historical flags of Villena
- First flag from 1586
- 1973 private initiative
Erroneously reported flags
Flags in the Moors and Christians Festival in Villena

See also:

Alicante / Alacant Province (Valencian Community, Spain)
Valencian Community (Spain)
Spain

Coat of arms of Villena

Coat of arms of Villena - left, traditional; right, adopted in 2010 - Images located by Olivier Touzeau, 22 September 2025

The coat of arms of Villena was officially adopted in 2010 [source: villenacultural.com]
The main change in this new official version was the addition of a central badge, azure two fishes silver, ; before, the fishes were in a pond next to the pine trees in the inferior quarter. The field of this quartier, previously azure, in now gold.

As reported on the spanish Wikipedia article about the coat of arms:
The lion and the winged hand (Manu-ala) are the legacy of Prince Manuel, the first lord of the then town. The castle recalls its historical belonging to the Crown of Castile, while the three pines and the pond refer to the Villena lagoon, its greatest source of wealth. The crown, traditionally interpreted as an infant's or ducal crown according to sources, is currently interpreted as an open royal crown according to Valencian law. The traditional coat of arms of Villena, in very old use, was made official on November 27, 2010, according to a design made by heraldry professors and lecturers headed by Inocencio Galindo. Until the date of its officialization, there was disagreement on the position of the lion: some defended the figure as it was in the last coat of arms used by the City Council, and others considered that it should be exchanged in the order of the second and third quarters, and that the lion should face to the right, as seen in the seal used by the municipality from at least 1477 until 1918; and in accordance with the coat of arms of Infante Juan Manuel, such as the one found in the convent of San Pablo de Peñafiel,[5] which he ordered to be built and where he is buried.

See this debate in the article by Amado-Juan Martínez Tomás in El Periódico de Villena :

“After, without exaggeration, five centuries of history, the coat of arms of Villena has finally been officially established, along with the no less important seal of the city.
The result, presented on November 26th in the Plenary Hall, is the result, firstly, of the sensitivity that a governing team shows toward our history—the approval of such an important matter is always thanks to political impetus, and in this case, the consensus of all municipal groups—and, secondly, of the laborious and exhaustive work carried out—and commissioned by the City Council—by Villena native Inocencio Galindo (Polytechnic University of Valencia). He, respecting the laws of heraldry and its evolution, has achieved a faithful coat of arms that is both harmonious and pleasing. Regarding the Seal—which is based on the one preserved in both the National Library and the Archive of the Kingdom of Valencia, designs from the 15th and 16th centuries—it is a true sign of distinction within reach of few cities. Villena can afford, by right, such luxuries.
Controversy surrounding this matter has always been present, and even more so in recent years. We all knew the symbols that appear on it, but not their positions, colors, and specific details. These aspects, whether important or not—here each individual's sensitivity comes into play—should be ironed out once they are defined, explained, agreed upon, and, above all, approved. But, without a doubt, the issue of whether the winged hand should or should not have its wings spread, and above it, the lion's, is an attractive one, and I dare say recurring. How proud our beloved mammal must have been—if it had a life of its own, of course—to know that it was so notorious and capable of even provoking heated arguments due to its claws pointing east or west. It was even called "The Lion of Discord." Although the author of the coat of arms claims that it does not represent bastardy—other researchers believe otherwise—and that in the Middle Ages this was a condition and not an insult, I, at least, see it better this way—as it stands—looking to our left, which is the right side of the shield. Just in case.
The oldest known example of our coat of arms dates from 1480. Since then, there have been many versions. Some, certainly, were more accurate than others, and at different chronological stages, places, and locations bore witness to our Villena. The most notable difference we can observe in this new one is a fifth quarter shaped like a circular shield. It features the two fish—previously shown below—and is located above the intersection of a double partition, which in heraldic language is called a partition in souter or in cross. Thus, the fourth quarter remains with only the three pines. This has already occurred in other Villena coats of arms because, I insist, their shape has not always been the same. It was time, for this reason and because of the importance of the issue, to give our signs a fixed destination after such a itinerant tour.
And we return to the same thing as with the dramatized tours of the castle—which, by the way, are proving a success and couldn't be better. The coat of arms is obvious; it won't solve the problem of the roads or the smells, for example. But again, let's not be confused. If we don't understand who we are and don't value our identity, we're in serious trouble. Let's congratulate ourselves on the step taken, which was more than necessary, and on the result. Now we're missing the flag.”

Olivier Touzeau, 22 September 2025

Gonfanon of Villena

Villena has a dark red ceremonial gonfanon with the 2010 coat of arms: photo taken in August 2025

Olivier Touzeau, 22 September 2025

Historical flags of Villena

First flag from 1586

Historical flag of Villena - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 22 September 2025

See this article in 2010 in El Periódico de Villena :

“This Saturday, December 18th, at 6:00 p.m., the Comparsa de Estudiantes [see below about comparsas in Villena] will present the book "La Bandera de Villena" by Amado-Juan Martínez Tomás, the winning work of the 8th Faustino Alonso Gotor Award, in its museum located in La Troyica. The traditional Christmas toast will be held afterward. Amado-Juan Martínez Tomás, researcher and chronicler of the Moros Nuevos Comparsa, has been declared the winner, unanimously by all the jury members, of the 8th Faustino Alonso Gotor Essay and Research Award, convened annually by the Comparsa de Estudiantes, for his work "La Bandera de Villena: Origen, historia, enfraqué vexillológico y posible conciencia" (The Flag of Villena: Origin, history, vexillological framework, and possible controversy). The award was announced on September 3rd, in La Troya, during the confirmation ceremony of the student godmother. The prize consists of 1,800 euros and the publication of the winning work, which will be published this Saturday with a prologue by María Ramona García Laguna and a cover by Vicente Rodes Amorós.
Yellow, not blue
Among the conclusions reached by the study, after conducting extensive preliminary research in the municipal archives, one is particularly striking: the city flag is recorded in a municipal record from 1586, "when it was created to accompany Philip II. Since then, no modifications have been made." Thus, the flag that has sometimes been used is not the correct one; the original color was predominantly yellow, not the usual blue, according to the data compiled by the researcher.”

And here in an article in informacion.es:

“After conducting extensive research in the municipal archives, his conclusion is that the city's flag is recorded in a municipal record from 1586, "when it was created to accompany Philip II. Since then, no modifications have been made." Villena's flag is virtually unknown to the population, and the one that has been used on occasion is not the original, which was predominantly yellow, according to the researcher.”

See too the cover of the book "La Bandera de Villena" here on www.villenacuentame.com.

The traditional yellow flag of Villena since 1586 is well documented. See the Ayuntamiento de XII de febrero de 1586 reported on www.villenacuentame.com:

“Item que se le libre a Rodrigo de Luna, diez reales una libra de tafetán amarillo/ que se tomó para hazer un gallardete i bande/ ra para que lleven los treinta i cinco carros que esta ciudad enbía al servicio de / su Magestad i más diez reales a Francisco de Cavalle/ rías de un parche que hizo en un tan/ bor e caxa porque estava roto.”

Olivier Touzeau, 22 September 2025

1973 private initiative

Flag of Villena at Forte S.A. - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 22 September 2025

In 1973, another flag of Villena had been hoisted, based on the version then in use of the coat of arms.
See this article on www.villenacuentame.com:

“Forte, S.A., Construction Materials, is a company closely linked to Villena. […] When we raised three masts at the Forte Factory in Bulilla, we wanted them to fly our most beloved flags, the ones that most represented us. We displayed the national flag. We displayed the company flag. However, we were missing one: the flag of Villena. We spared no effort to find it. We consulted the distinguished scholar Mr. José M.ª Soler. If anyone could give us information, there is no doubt it would be him. From his hand, we saw in history books how Villena's "Pendón" led its army out. However, we were unable to determine exactly what it looked like. Undeterred, we continued searching and were able to deduce from different versions of Villena's coat of arms that the city's characteristic colors are blue, red, and silver. And just as an emanation of our coat of arms, this quartered saltire flag was born, presided over in its center by the city's emblem. From now on, from the flagpoles of the FORTE, S.A. Factory, this Villena flag will greet visitors and, as the city's "Pendón" once did, preside over our passionate struggle to achieve quality in our products, well-being for our producers, and greater development for Villena.”

Erroneously reported flags

Flags erroneously reported for Villena in Wikipedia - Images reported by António Martins-Tuválkin, 9 May 2025

The flag image used in the English Wikipedia article is also used in the Spanish and Catalan Wikipedias. Its file history includes a change from grey to white, and grey-for-white versions are at Wikipedia Commons.
This flag seems to be a simplification of a coat of arms divided saltirewise, and the Argent quadrant met the usual fate when transposed to a non-metallic surface: white, or (light) grey?

António Martins-Tuválkin, 9 May 2025

Flags in the Moors and Christians Festival in Villena

Flags of "Moors" and "Christians" in Villena - Images by Olivier Touzeau, 22 September 2025

On Wikimedia Commons, interesting reenacting flags used in the traditional Christians & Moors festivities in Villena.

António Martins-Tuválkin, 9 May 2025

The Moors and Christians of Villena (Spanish: Moros y Cristianos de Villena) is a Marian patronal festival held annually in Villena, Spain, from 4th September to 9th September. It is celebrated in honor of Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes (Our Lady of the Virtues), an invocation of Mary, traces its origins to 1474, when the Virgen de las Virtudes was proclaimed patroness of the town and its protector against the plague.
The festival in Villena has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Spain.[citation needed] With approximately 15,000 participants, it is one of the largest Moors and Christians festivals in Spain. The festival involves a high number of local participants relative to similar events in Spain. The procession features 14 comparsas (groups), half of which belong to a Moorish side and the other half to a Christian side, all dedicated to the Virgen de La Morenica, a local title for the Virgin Mary.
Moorish side: Moros Viejos (Ancient Moors), Moros Nuevos (New Moors), Bando Marroquí (Moroccan Band), Moros Realistas (Royalist Moors), Moros Nazaríes (Nazarite Moors), Moros Bereberes (Berber Moors), and Piratas (Pirates).
Christian side: Estudiantes (Students), Marinos Corsarios (Corsair Sailors), Andaluces (Andalusians), Labradores (Farmers), Ballesteros (Crossbowmen), Almogávares (Almogavars), and Cristianos (Christians).
Source: Article at wikipedia

The emblem of the Junta Central de Fiestas (souce: Cadenaser.com) : has two flags, symbolizing Moors (gold crescent on green field) and Christians (red cross on white field).

Besides, the comparsas also seem to have their own flags - source: picture on Wikimedia Commons.

Olivier Touzeau, 22 September 2025