Flag of Milan

The flag of Milan consists of a red cross inside a white field or cloud, and inspired the Flag of Genoa. The flag of Milan is attributed to St. Ambrose, who was Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397, the city patron and also the saint to whom the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is dedicated. The flag has supposedly been in use from as early as the 10th century, well before the emergence of heraldry during the crusades.

The Duchy of Milan used the emblem of the House of Visconti, the biscione, a great serpent shown devouring a Saracen, from 1395 quarted with the imperial eagle of the Holy Roman Empire.