Flag of Haiti: description, history, meaning, curiosities

The Flag of Haiti, although it is not until 1986 when it is adopted as an official, it has a historical background that goes back to the independence of the country and its fight against the French colonial power. In fact, the current teaches has diverse antecedents, some of which are practically the same as the one used today.

Its design is very simple, with only two colors, red and blue. There are two different modalities: the first, the one that only shows these colors and that is used in all civil acts; and the second, with the national coat of arms printed in the center, which is used for military ceremonies.

The Republic of Haiti is located in the Caribbean, in the so-called Antilles. Its capital is Port-au-Prince and it was the first black country in the Western Hemisphere to obtain independence.

This was achieved after a long struggle against Napoleonic France. The Haitian Revolution begins in 1791, with a strong anti-slavery component. It is not until 1804 when he formally declares national independence.

This fight is clearly reflected in the design of his flag, both the current one and others he has had since then.

Description

The design of the flag that today is the official flag of Haiti is really simple. It is a sign divided horizontally into two parts: the upper one is blue, while the lower one is red.

On occasions when the flag is used in a non-civil act, the Coat of Arms of the country is placed on these colors, placed in a white rectangle right in the center of the banner.

It is accepted by all scholars that the colors come from those of the flag of France, former occupying power. The only novelty was the elimination of the white band that it has in the center.

Coat of arms on the flag

As indicated above, sometimes the flag is completed with the placement of the shield at its center. This arms shield is composed of several significant elements of the country.

The central element is an oil palm, flanked on its two sides by three rifles and three flags. There is also a Phrygian cap, symbol of the struggle for freedom.

Under the whole, there is the slogan of the emblem:"L'Union fait la force", a French phrase that means"Union makes strength".

History

The history of the current flag of Haiti is very brief. It was declared official on February 25, 1986, after the fall of the dictatorship that the Duvaliers (father and son), which lasted from 1964 to 1986.

With its design it was tried to return to the origins of the Republic, as well as to break with the decades of authoritarian government that the Antillean nation had suffered.

Despite this short history, the truth is that the Haitian logo has several centuries behind, with some designs very similar to the current and others with slight differences.

First flag: revolution and independence

In 1791, the inhabitants of the island begin their fight against the French domination. It was not only a revolt in search of self-government, but also of emancipation. Already during the years that this war lasted, a pair of banners that identified the rebels appeared.

It would not be until 1803 when the independence troops succeed in expelling the Gallic administration. It is Jean-Jacques Dessalines who takes over the country. A goddaughter of Dessalines is in charge of making the first flag of the independent country.

For this, the white stripe is removed from the center of the French flag and includes in it the motto of the"Oath of the Ancestors", sworn by the new president. The phrase, in white, reads"Freedom or Death".

The symbolism of the emblem is quite clear: the white color represents the vanquished French, the blue represents the blacks who had achieved freedom, while the red symbolizes the Haitian mulattoes.

Empire of Haiti

The design created after independence does not last long. In 1804, Dessalines decides to proclaim himself Emperor and changes the flag.

The former revolutionary chose the name of Jacques I for his mandate and the new insignia was bicolor, with two vertical stripes, black and red respectively.

Other designs up to Duvalier

The history of the country did not stop being convulsed and, along with the political changes, the flag was also changed. The Empire of Jacques I is very brief and in 1806 the form of government changes to the Republic and, in addition, with the country divided into two parts.

In this way, no less than two new signs appear: one in the northern part, which respects the colors of the previous one, but places the bands horizontally; and another one in the south, with the return to the colors blue and red, placed in vertical and with the motto"The Union makes the Force".

From there until the arrival of the dictatorship, many other designs were declared official flags. In any case, almost always predominated the same colors (blue and red or blue and black, vertically or horizontally).

Dictatorship of the Duvaliers

Already in the S. XX, in 1964, the penultimate change in the national badge takes place. That year begins the ferocious dictatorship of François Duvalier, known as Papa Doc.

During his term, and during his son's term, called Baby Doc, the flag recovered the vertical stripes in black and red. In the same way, they changed the national shield, which also appeared on it.

Present

Finally, in 1986, the dictatorship of the little Duvalier falls. That year, an insurrection overthrows the dictator and the current flag is declared official. Since then, it has remained one of the most important emblems of the new Haiti.

Meaning of the flag

Being such a simple flag in its design, the symbolism is not too complex and, in addition, has remained generally as it was created after independence.

In this way, blue continues to represent the African black population of the country, while red is a reference to the mulattos.

Data and curiosities

One of the most curious aspects of the flag of Haiti is offered by those scholars who relate their colors to voodoo, the Antillean religion with African references that are so important in the country.

In this way, the God of War in this belief, called Voodoo Loa Ogou, is represented by blue and red.

Likewise, following the symbolism of voodoo, red symbolizes bravery, war and revolution. For its part, blue would be the color of freedom, patriotism and justice.

Another interesting fact is that, from 1915 to 1934, the official flag was the American flag. They had occupied the country and governed it during all those years.

Finally, as an anecdote, it can be pointed out that during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, they realized that the design was exactly the same as that of the Liechtenstein flag.

The result was that the little European Duchy placed a crown on his banner, so that there would be no confusion.

References

1. Cooperaçao Tripartite. Haiti flag is the symbol of the struggles and achievements of the country. Retrieved from cooptripartite.icict.fiocruz.br
2. The flags Haiti. Retrieved from lasbanderas.net
3. Data freak. Equal Flags datosfreak.org
4. Smith, Whitney. Flag of Haiti. Retrieved from britannica.com
5. Flagpedia. Flag of Haiti. Retrieved from flagpedia.net
6. Iberoamerican Independence Bicentennial. The Independence of Haiti (1804). Retrieved from pares.mcu.es
   
7. Facts.co. Haiti Flag. Retrieved from haitiflag.facts.co
8. Uk Eessays. The dictatorship of the Duvalier family in Haiti. Retrieved from ukessays.com