The national flag is a symbol of the state and reflects historical events in the past, indicates the geographical location of the country or the state of the economy. The national symbols are colored and complemented by images that are associated with the occupation of the locals, their religion and culture.
This is what the modern flag of the Dominican Republic looks like:
History of the flag of the Dominican Republic
For 300 years the Dominican Republic belonged to and was a colony of Spain. However, in 1821 the Dominicans organized a revolt against the oppression of the Spanish government. The rebellion ended with the formation of the independent Republic of Santo Domingo. That year the rebels raised their flag, which contained three colors: white, red and yellow.
The new state lasted a year, then was captured and annexed to the territories of the Republic of Haiti in 1822. The symbol of Haiti was a blue and red cloth with a coat of arms in the center. Dominican patriots in 1838 formed an organization called the Trinitarian. The work of the organizers was aimed at freeing Haiti from domination.
At the same time, a white cross appeared on the two-color flag as a symbol of the revolutionaries’ Christian faith.
In 1844 the Dominicans revolted and won, gaining independence for the Dominican Republic. In the same year the blue-red flag with a white cross was approved by the constitution of the new country and adopted as the symbol of the state.
It was not until 1849 that the flag took its modern form and the coat of arms appeared in the center of the cross.
The author of the image, located in the central part of the cross, was the liberal politician and future head of state of the Dominican Republic, Juan Pablo Duarte. [… In 1913, the flag with the image of the coat of arms acquired official
state status.
Description
The flag has a traditional rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of 5:8. The cross in the center splits the cloth into four parts: the lower left and upper right are colored red, and the other two are colored blue. At the center of the intersection of the broad crosses is the coat of arms of the Dominican Republic.
The coat of arms of the Dominican Republic is a shield painted in state colors. Inside is an image of a golden cross with a Bible and six arrows drawn beneath it. Under the shield flutters a red ribbon with the name of the Republic. There is an olive branch on the left and a palm branch on the right as a frame. On top of the shield is a blue ribbon on which is written the motto of the Dominican Republic.
The colors of the flag of the Dominican Republic
The main background of the coat of arms is painted in red, blue and white. In the image of the coat of arms you can also see the national colors, as well as gold and green.
Meaning of colors and flag symbol
The red and blue colors on the flag were borrowed from the national flag of the Republic of Haiti and diluted with a white cross. For Dominicans, blue was associated with the freedom of the state and a cloudless sky. According to a different interpretation, the color was associated with the struggle for the liberation of the nation.
The red color signifies the blood shed for the attainment of the benefits of civilization, as well as the fire of the people’s battle for freedom. The white cross appears as a sign of Christian sacrifice and a symbol of God’s protection.
The color white signifies the inhabitants’ readiness for self-sacrifice, expresses their religious strength, and wishes for a world without war.
The image of the cross and the Bible on the coat of arms symbolizes Christianity and the resulting freedom. The palm branch and the olive tree are attributes of peace and triumph. On a ribbon over the shield is written the Dominican motto and the password of the fighters for independence: “DIOS. PATRIA. LIBERTAD”, which means “God. Homeland. Freedom.” The red ribbon bears the name of the country “REPUBLICA DOMINICANA”.
The flag without a coat of arms is the symbol of the Dominican merchant navy.
During national holidays, the flag of the Dominican Republic appears on all state buildings and government offices. However, despite acquiring official status and adopting the symbolism, residents are allowed to use cloths without the image of the cross.
General information about the Dominican Republic
| Official language | Spanish |
| Capital | Santo Domingo |
| Territory | 48,730 km2 |
| Population | 10,734,247 people |
| Currency | Dominican peso |
| Phone Code | +1-809, +1-829, +1-849 |
