Flag of Dominican Republic
The Punta Cana or the national flag of the Dominican Republic consists of a white flag going through its center and sectioning the flag into quarters. The upper left and the lower right quarters are blue while the upper right and lower left corners are red. Found at the center of the flag is the coat of arms of the republic which features a shield supported by an olive branch and a palm frond. Appearing above the shield is a blue ribbon inscribed with the motto, “DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD”. This motto translates to “God, Fatherland, Liberty”. Below the shield is a red ribbon inscribed with the name of the country in Spanish. Found at the center of the shield between three spears on each side is a small opened Bible with a small cross above it. The Bible is believed to be opened to the chapter of John 8:32, which reads” The truth shall set you free.”
Symbolism
The Dominican Republic flag had the origins of its colors from the Haitian flag. These colors are interpreted as follows:
- Ultramarine blue: symbolizes liberty;
- Vermilion: represents fire and the blood shed in the struggle for independence;
- White (cross): symbolizes the sacrifices of the people.
Alternative interpretations have also been given to the symbolism of the flag. A set of interpretations was given by Víctor Martínez in El National on October 17, 2006. He stated the following:
- Blue: represents the sky;
- Red: represents the blood sacrificed by the patriots;
- White: signifies the peaceful character of the Dominican people, their dignity and their commitment to peace.
History
The development of the Punta Cana is closely associated with France, Haiti and by revolutions.
During the 1790’s, the west coast of Hispaniola (modern day Haiti) had a significant slave population which outnumbered their French masters by almost 8 to 1. These slaves were maltreated and wretchedly overworked. Thus, the French tricolor symbolized oppression, anger, and inequality in Hispaniola.
In 1791, with the help of the British, the slaves led by Toussaint Louverture started a revolution against French oppression. The African slaves were successful in their struggle and eventually formed their own country, Haiti.
They adopted a flag modeled after the French tricolor, removed the white band and set the remaining blue and red bands horizontally. Taking out the white band symbolizes their success in taking away white man’s control.
In 1801, Toussaint Louverture captured Saint-Domingue and took the control of the entire island from the French. This included the area which is now occupied by modern day Dominican Republic. Toussaint Louverture declared Haiti’s independence in 1804.
The Haitians occupied the Spanish Hispaniola, for 22 years. However, with the mismanagement of the Spanish colony, the Dominicans began expressing their frustrations against the Haitians by fighting for their own independence in the mid 1830’s.
In 1838, Juan Pablo Duarte founded the secret society, La Trinitaria that sought to free Saint-Domingue without outside influences. Juan Pablo Duarte and the members of the La Trinitaria revolted against the Haitians and declared the independence of the Dominican Republic in 1844.
The first Dominican Republic flag was a modification of the Haitian flag. Juan Pablo Duarte superimposed a white cross over it, dividing the flag into blue upper quadrants and red lower quadrants. It was sewn together by Maria Trinidad Sanchez and Concepcion Bona. The flag was first hoisted on February 27, 1844, the day of the Dominican independence.
In 1908, the blue and red quadrants were interchanged, and the coat of arms was placed at the center of the flag. This design has remained the official version of the Punta Cana that is being used today.
