Flag of Cuba
The national flag of Cuba consists of five equally sized horizontal stripes. The top, middle and bottom stripes are blue while the other two stripes are white. A red horizontal triangle that points towards the middle is found on the left side of the flag. Placed at the center of the triangle is a white five-pointed star.
Symbolism
According to the Cuban government’s official statement, the colors and shapes found in the flag has the following meaning:
- Blue stripes: These stripes represent the three old provinces of the island.
- White stripes: Symbolize the strength of the ideals of independence.
- Red triangle: A Masonic symbol that represents equality, fraternity, and freedom. The color symbolizes the blood shed in the fight for the liberation of the island.
- White star: Symbolizes the Cuban’s absolute freedom and the freedom between nations.
History
Narciso López was a Venezuelan general who designed the Cuban flag. He made the first serious attempts to liberate Cuba from Spain. In 1848, he designed “La Estrella Solitaria”, or the “Lone Star Banner” with the help of his friend and poet Miguel Teurbe Tolon. The flag was put together later by Miguel’s wife, Emilia Tolón. Narciso López created the flag to add a patriotic fervor in his attempts to liberate Cuba and carried the flag with him in important meetings during the revolution. Although Narciso López failed in his attempts, his flag was adopted as the national flag on May 20, 1902 when Cuba was finally declared an independent republic.
There were other attempts to establish a flag for the free and independent Cuba. Before Narciso López, a flag was already created by Joaquín Infante as early as the 1800’s. This flag was used by Cuban rebels during a separatist conspiracy in 1909 to 1910.
The secret society “Los Soles y Rayos de Bolivar” or the "Suns and Rays of Bolivar" used a flag with a brilliant golden sun at the center to symbolize their group and its ideals. It was established by the Cuban poet José María Heredia and José Francisco Lemus in 1823 with the aim of liberating Cuba.
