<Li> <P> 1848--1849 flag of the Provisional Government of Sicily . </P> </Li> <P> 1848--1849 flag of the Provisional Government of Sicily . </P> <P> In the same year, the Kingdom of Lombardy--Venetia revolted against the Austrian Empire in the Five Days of Milan, forming the Provisional Government of Lombardy on 22 March 1848 and Provisional Government of Venice, the so - called "Republic of San Marco", a day later . The flags that they adopted, marked the link to Italian independence and unification efforts; the former, the Italian tricolour undefaced, and the latter, charged with the winged lion of St. Mark, from the flag of the Most Serene Republic, on a white canton . These lasted until 6 and 24 August 1849 respectively . </P> <P> In 1849, the new Roman Republic adopted an Italian tricolour, sent from Venice, bearing the legend DIO E POPOLO in red capital letters . This lasted for four months, while the Papal States of the Church was in abeyance . </P>

What do the colors of the italian flag stand for