The white and blue pattern of Argentina’s jersey resonates well in the minds of football lovers after the South American football team lifted the coveted trophy of the FIFA World Cup 2022. The choice of colours, which mimics the horizontal blue and white of the Argentine flag, has a history that spans thousands of years.
A Twitter thread, that explores how blue and white passed through Napoleon, the Byzantine Empire, Renaissance painters, and Argentina’s freedom struggle to finally become the colours of the world’s most famed football jersey, has gone viral with over 85,000 likes.
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As per the now viral thread posted by The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor), during the Byzantine empire, the colour blue was associated with royalty. The Renaissance artists used the blue derived from lapis lazuli, which came from Afghanistan and was more expensive than gold, to paint Mother Mary’s ropes in all religious imagery.
In the Byzantine Empire, which was the continuation of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, the colour blue was regarded as the colour of the nobility and of the emperor and empress.
Blue was an expensive colour. It brought great social prestige and came to symbolise majesty. pic.twitter.com/9wrvQhZad3
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) December 19, 2022
Then the timeline jumps to the 18th century when Argentina was a Spanish colony and Spain was ruled by Charles III. The son of Charles III, also called Charles did not birth a heir even after five years of marriage. The king then prayed to Mother Mary and his wish was fulfilled when he finally got a grandson.
The use of blue for Mary’s clothes soon became a central part of artistic and religious tradition.
In the Renaissance artists would use lapis lazuli – which came from mines in Afghanistan and was more expensive than gold – to create the paint for her robes. pic.twitter.com/PlbSE18BC6
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) December 19, 2022
To mark this joyous occasion, Charles III created “the Order of Charles III in 1771” which was “a sort of special society for prominent Spaniards”. He picked the colour blue in reverence to Mother Mary and the members of the Order wore a blue and white striped stash.
When his son did finally have a child, King Charles III was delighted.
And so he created something called the Order of Charles III in 1771 to mark the occasion, a sort of special society for prominent Spaniards.
And every Order must have its colours for members to wear…
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) December 19, 2022
Skip to 1808 when Napoleon began expanding his empire and “forced King Ferdinand VII (Charles III’s grandson) to abdicate” which led to riots in Spain and Argentina. To show loyalty to Spain’s Ferdinand, his supporters started wearing pale blue and white as dissent against Napoleon.
You’ll notice that Charles III had chosen a blue significantly paler than usual depictions of Mary.
Well, here’s a painting of Mary from 1767 by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo – look at the light blue of its robes. This painting was commissioned by Charles III! pic.twitter.com/iLC3kj8Vo3
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) December 19, 2022
Two years later, during the onset of Argentine War of Independence against the Spanish royal crown, Argentine freedom fighter Manuel Belgrano, created a co*ckade of Argentina in the colours of blue and white, which was pretty ironic considering its Spanish royal roots. Belgrano later designed the flag of Argentina and used the same colours.
Not just in Spain, but in Argentina too.
To show their allegiance to the true monarch of Spain, Argentinian rebels wore the colours of the Order of Charles III – pale blue and white – to distinguish themselves from Bonapartist fighters and show loyalty to Ferdinand, seen here: pic.twitter.com/6crQxtxS2z
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) December 19, 2022
And he used colours previously associated with Argentinian revolt from Spanish rule under Joseph Bonaparte – the pale blue and white the Order of King Charles III and of the true monarchy.
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The revolutionary government officially adopted the co*ckade. pic.twitter.com/v1w29rj0fV
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) December 19, 2022
As per the thread, “When Belgrano first presented his design to the people he compared its colours to the sky and the clouds. That has been interpreted to mean they were his inspiration. Which makes sense, given Argentina’s incredible natural landscapes. But it was from Charles III that they came.”
When Belgrano first presented his design to the people he compared its colours to the sky and the clouds.
That has been interpreted to mean they were his inspiration. Which makes sense, given Argentina’s incredible natural landscapes.
But it was from Charles III that they came. pic.twitter.com/tbzfcowMQI
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) December 19, 2022
114 years later Argentina still wear those same colours, adopted from their flag, which itself was the result of a centuries-long series of political, religious, and artistic developments.
A long history for one of football’s most iconic kits. pic.twitter.com/6mio8j4GoV
— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) December 19, 2022
In 1880s, football arrived in Argentina via British rail workers and rose to popularity. In 1908, Argentina’s football team played in the Brazilian League with their signature white and pale blue stripes, which has been used so far.
As someone deeply immersed in the intricate tapestry of history, art, and culture, my expertise extends to unraveling the fascinating connections between seemingly unrelated facets of human civilization. I have delved into the rich narrative of Argentina's football jersey, particularly the white and blue pattern that has etched itself into the hearts of football enthusiasts worldwide. Allow me to illuminate the intricate details, drawing upon historical evidence and a nuanced understanding of the subject.
The Twitter thread by The Cultural Tutor provides a compelling exploration of how Argentina's football jersey, with its distinctive white and blue design, has roots that reach back thousands of years. The choice of colors, mimicking the horizontal blue and white of the Argentine flag, unfolds as a saga involving Napoleon, the Byzantine Empire, Renaissance painters, and Argentina's struggle for freedom.
During the Byzantine Empire, the color blue held significant symbolism, associated with royalty and nobility. Renaissance artists, seeking a rich blue pigment, turned to lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, a color more precious than gold, especially in depictions of Mother Mary's robes in religious imagery.
Fast forward to the 18th century, when Charles III of Spain, in gratitude for the birth of his grandson, instituted "the Order of Charles III" in 1771. The choice of blue for the Order's colors, inspired by Mother Mary's attire, later became a pivotal influence.
The timeline further unfolds to the 1808 era, marked by Napoleon's expansion and the abdication of King Ferdinand VII. Supporters of Ferdinand in Spain and Argentina adopted pale blue and white as a symbol of dissent against Napoleon, aligning themselves with the colors chosen by Charles III.
In the Argentine War of Independence, Manuel Belgrano, a freedom fighter, introduced the co*ckade of Argentina, featuring the blue and white colors of the Order of Charles III. This gesture, ironically rooted in Spanish royal symbolism, later evolved into the design of the Argentine flag.
The thread concludes by highlighting that Argentina still adorns the same colors, adopted from their flag, which itself emerged from centuries-long political, religious, and artistic developments. The enduring legacy of these colors in Argentine history is a testament to the profound interweaving of diverse influences.
Finally, the transition to football in Argentina in the 1880s, facilitated by British rail workers, and the adoption of the iconic white and pale blue stripes in the early 20th century, add another layer to the narrative, blending history and sport in the evolution of one of football's most iconic kits.
