Why Is Barcelona Red and Blue?
Barcelona Football Club, commonly known as Barça, is one of the most popular and successful football clubs in the world. One of the distinctive features that sets Barcelona apart from other clubs is its iconic red and blue colors.
But have you ever wondered why Barcelona chose these specific colors? Let’s dive into the fascinating history behind Barcelona’s red and blue identity.
The Origins
The origins of Barcelona’s colors date back to the club’s early days in the late 19th century. The founders of Barcelona were Swiss, English, and Catalan footballers, who decided to adopt a unique color scheme for their team. They settled on red and blue as a tribute to their home countries.
The Swiss Connection
One of the founding members, Joan Gamper, was from Switzerland. The red and blue colors were inspired by his hometown team, FC Basel, which also donned these colors. Gamper brought his love for his Swiss roots to Barcelona and incorporated it into the club’s identity.
The English Influence
Another influential figure in Barcelona’s early years was Hans Gamper (Joan Gamper’s cousin), who was also from Switzerland but had spent time in England. The English football clubs Aston Villa and Bristol City played a significant role in shaping Hans Gamper’s perception of football. Both teams wore claret (a shade of red) and blue kits.
Hans Gamper admired Aston Villa’s success at that time, which led him to choose similar colors for FC Barcelona. The claret-red color became an integral part of Barcelona’s identity.
The Catalonian Stripes
Over time, another element became associated with Barcelona’s colors—the Catalan flag. The flag features four red stripes on a yellow background. Barcelona embraced this symbol of Catalan identity and incorporated it into their kit design.
The red and blue stripes on Barcelona’s shirt pay homage to the colors of the Catalan flag, known as La Senyera. The club’s commitment to Catalonian pride strengthened its bond with the local community and became an inherent part of its identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Barcelona’s red and blue colors have a rich history rooted in the founders’ nationalities, as well as their admiration for Swiss and English football clubs. Moreover, the incorporation of the Catalan flag’s red stripes further solidifies Barcelona’s unique identity.
Next time you watch a Barcelona match or see someone wearing their jersey, you’ll know that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the iconic red and blue colors of this historic football club.