Information about the Dominican Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of Dominican Republic
In this Country Profile
:: Meaning of the Dominican Republic Flag ::
The Dominican Republic flag was adopted on November 6, 1844 after they gained their independence from Haiti, which ruled the Dominican Republic from 1820 to 1824. It has a large cross that is white in color, which divides the flag into four quarters. The top left and the lower right quarters are ultramarine blue while the top right and bottom left quarters are in vermilion red. The national coat of arms or the escudo was added to the flag according to the presidential decree issued in 1913. It is placed in the center of the white cross and has the same colors as the national flag. The coat of arms includes a golden cross above an open Bible with the words Y la verdad nos hara libre. The translation means, “And the truth shall set you free.” On each side of the Bible are two spears with flags and one empty spear. The escudo is flanked on the left with a laurel branch while the right side has an olive branch. A blue ribbon on top of the escudo is written with the words Dios, Patria, Libertad, the national motto which means God, fatherland and liberty. At the bottom of the escudo is a red ribbon. On it is the name of the country written in Spanish – República Dominicana.
The Dominican Republic is the only country in the world that includes a Bible in its national flag.
The Dominican flag has a white central cross that extends across the width and height of the flag. On the upper left near the hoisting side is an ultramarine blue rectangle. Below the left arm of the cross is a vermilion red rectangle. The order is reversed on the flying side. The red rectangle is on the upper right hand corner while the blue rectangle is on the lower left corner. According to some records the white central cross is a symbol the faith of the people of the country while the red and blue were taken from the flag of Haiti, which ruled the Dominican Republic from 1820 to 1844.
Nevertheless, the vermilion red symbolizes the blood that had been spilled by the countless heroes and liberators that fought for the country. The ultramarine blue is for the liberty and ideals of progress of the nation as well as a representation of God’s protection. The white cross represents the struggles of the citizens to live in a free country. It also symbolizes peace, unity and all the sacrifices the citizens of the country made to gain independence. The olive branch on the right side of the escudo represents liberty while the laurel branch on the left is a symbol of immortality.
The modern interpretation of the meaning of the flag is simpler. Red symbolizes fire and the blood shed by the freedom fighters to free their homeland. White is the symbol of dignity and the dedication to peace and the peaceful character of the people of the Dominican Republic while blue represents the sky.
If you go for the heraldic and ancient traditions of associating colors with symbolism, the white color means honesty and peace. Red stands for valor, strength, bravery and hardiness of the people while the blue is a representation of perseverance and justice, truth and loyalty as well as vigilance.
The dimension of the flag is 2:3.
:: References ::
http://www.hispaniola.com/dominican_republic/info/society_dominican_flag.php
http://www.flags-flags-flags.org.uk/dominican-republic-flag.htm
http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/flag-shield-national_symbols.html
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