In Siena, a contradaiolo (contrada supporter) displays their bandiera (flag) with pride throughout the Palio. If you’re a tourist, be aware that wearing a bandiera may cause the fervent supporters of various contrade to see you as a friend or foe, depending on which alliances and rivalries are in effect.
Flags of three contrade of Siena: Tartuca (Tortoise), Lupa (She-Wolf), and Aquila (Eagle). The Lupa banner is a taller variation carried for the children’s auxiliary (“Gruppo Piccoli Lupaioli”).
Fans of Leocorno (with tattoo!) and Torre. It’s very common to declare your loyalty to a contrada by wearing a bandiera as a scarf.
Flags of the Aquila (Eagle) and Bruco (Caterpillar) contrade line Banchi di Sotto along with other contrade flags, and a street in the Leocorno (Unicorn) contrada is proudly decorated with bandiera.
The flag of Capitana dell’Onda contrada (Ruler of the Wave) in a back street of Siena.
Flags in the contrada of Lupa (She-Wolf) on a moonlit night; and in the piazza, a flag with the black and white colors of Siena next to the flag of Capitana dell’Onda (Ruler of the Wave) contrada.
Supporters of Leocorno (Unicorn) march through Siena singing their contrada’s fight song.
Supporters of Bruco (Caterpillar) contrada in the piazza.
Supporters of Giraffa (Giraffe) contrada in the piazza during a test race; and then on a loud, proud march with their bandiera through the streets of Siena after their victory in the Palio dell’Assunta in August 2011.