About the Dominican Flag

Two versions of the national flag exist in the Dominican Republic: one flown by citizens and the other flown by the government. The difference is the addition of an emblem on the government flags.

History

During the Dominican war of independence from Haiti, a Trinitarian founder named Juan Pablo Duarte placed a white cross over the tricolor blue, white and red Haitian flag. This is flown today as the Dominican citizen's flag.

Description

The Dominican flag consists of a centered white cross. The top left and bottom right quadrants are blue; the other quadrants are red.

Color Symbolism

The white cross stands for the sacrifices made by the Dominicans during their fight for independence; the blue stands for liberty and the red symbolizes the blood that was shed.

Emblem

In 1913 a presidential decree required the addition of an emblem to the center of the cross in government-flown flags. This emblem consists of a Bible and a golden cross, surrounded by four Dominican flags and two spears and framed by olive and palm leaves. Under the emblem is the motto "Dios, Patria, Libertad," "God, Fatherland, Liberty." Beneath the motto is the name of the country, Republica Dominicana.

First Flight

Dominican Independence Day was the day of the flag's first flight on February 27, 1844.

References

• Hispaniola.com: The Flag of the Dominican Republic
• A Visual Archive of the Dominican Republic: Dominican Flag: History and Evolution

Resources

• Maps of the World: Dominican Republic Flag
• The Trinitarians