The Flag of Haiti
The flag of Haiti is a bicolour banner featuring two horizontal bands of blue (top) and red (bottom), with a coat of arms depicted in the center on a white panel. This coat of arms, showing a palm tree surmounted by the Cap of Liberty and flanked by cannons, symbolizes freedom and the nation's readiness to defend it. The flag’s design reflects Haiti’s French colonial heritage but with a distinct twist that speaks to the country's struggle for independence and identity.
History of The Flag of Haiti
The flag of Haiti was adopted on February 25, 1986, but its origins trace back to the Haitian Revolution against French colonial rule. The revolutionary flag was reportedly created on May 18, 1803, by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a leader in the Haitian Revolution, who took the French tricolor and removed the white band, symbolically removing the white population from the flag. This act created a flag with only blue and red bands, representing the union of the African and mulatto populations of the island. Over the years, Haiti's flag has undergone several changes, especially during periods of political turmoil. The coat of arms in the center has been revised multiple times, reflecting changes in the government and national priorities. However, the blue and red colors have remained a constant symbol of Haitian identity and the enduring spirit of its people.