Cuba Flag PNG
Cuba is an island nation located in the Caribbean Sea off the Gulf of Mexico of the Atlantic Ocean. The flag of Cuba is not just a cloth, but a real mirror, reflecting the multifaceted and rich history and culture of this Caribbean nation.
The flag of Cuba was first raised in 1850, but it was officially adopted only in 1902, after the proclamation of independence of the Republic. The earliest versions did not differ from the flag that we can observe today: a rectangle, the width of which is half the length, with five horizontal stripes in blue and white, and an equilateral triangle of red color, adjacent to the shaft, with a five-pointed white star.
We will tell you more about how this flag was created and what each of its elements conceals below.
History of the Flag
Even though the official flag was adopted in Cuba only at the beginning of the 20th century, the country has used some other images as its flag throughout its history. Apart from the flags of its colonizers, the Spanish, in 19th century Cuban patriotic movements also had their own flags, which influenced the current design a lot.
In the 19th century, the idea of Cuban independence began to gain momentum. Thus, in 1809 – 1810 Havana organized a conspiracy to declare the independence of Cuba. The conspirators developed the “Constitution of Infante”, in which they described, among other things, the proposed design of the flag. According to their plan, it was to consist of green, purple, and white horizontal stripes and a coat of arms, on the shield of which, above a map of Cuba, an Indian woman with a bow, arrows, and a cornucopia surrounded by tobacco bushes. This flag, however, like several others invented over the next three decades, was not destined to become official.
There were, however, two flags that had a strong influence on the modern version. The Cuban branch of the South American patriotic society, the Grand Legion of the Black Eagle, active on the island in the 1820s, used as its emblem a shield of three blue and two white stripes, with a four-pointed star on a red field at the top and the l “Cuba Libre” inscription above the shield.
Another patriotic society, the Cuban Rose, active between 1847 and 1848, used a striped blue and white flag with an eight-pointed white star on the lower stripe (or the same red star on the middle stripe) and a flag of blue, white, and red horizontal stripes.
The Havana Club, which emerged at the same time, had a flag of five red and white stripes with a blue rectangle and a white eight-pointed star at the shaft.
Eventually, at the height of the struggle for independence, in 1848, the first Cuban flag was created – a tricolor: with five horizontal stripes, blue and white, and a red triangle at the pole.
In the late 1940s, the supporters of Cuba’s accession to the United States, led by a former Spanish general, Venezuelan N. Lopez, gained the upper hand among Cuban emigrants. It was they who in 1848–1849 created the flag, which was destined to become the flag of the independent Cuban Republic.
However, this flag was not officially adopted, because the political situation in the region was still uncertain.
As a result, after the Spanish-American War, Cuba came under U.S. rule and began using the flag of the United States as its flag.
1521 – 1843
So, as we already know from history lessons, Cuba was invaded by Spain in the early 16th century. And back then it was a Flag of the Cross of Burgundy. The Cross of Burgundy or Cross of St. Andrew, a saw-toothed form of the St. Andrew’s Cross, was first used in the 15th century as an emblem by the Valois Dukes of Burgundy, who ruled much of eastern France and the Low Countries as a de facto independent state. With the rise to power in Spain in the 16th century of the Burgundian Habsburgs, the emblem served as the naval flag of the Spanish Empire.
1843 – 1873; 1874 – 1898
In the middle of the 19th century, the Cross of Burgundy was replaced by the Flag of Spanish America — a rectangle with two red stripes on top and bottom lines, a wide yellow segment in the center, and an oval coat of arms with a large crown, placed on the left part of the yellow stripe.
1873 – 1874
In 1873 the fancy gold and red crown were removed from the composition, and this heraldic version was named Flag of First Spanish Republic. It was only used for a couple of months, and then the Spanish American Flag was brought back.
1868 – 1878
During the Ten Years’ War, the struggle for independence from Spain, which, as the name implies, lasted for ten years, Cuban leaders used a flag similar to the present one. This version of the flag looked like a rectangle, horizontally divided into equal blue and white parts, with a red square in the upper left corner and a white five-pointed star on it.
1902 – Today
Cuba became an independent state only in 1902, when the flag, consisting of blue and white horizontal stripes, a red triangle, and a white star, was finally officially adopted. The flag, called the Lone Star, was designed in 1848 by Miguel Tolon, editor of La Verdad (Spanish for “The Truth”), and General Narciso López.
1959 – 1976
On January 1, 1959, the Cuban revolutionaries were victorious and Fidel Castro became Prime Minister of Cuba, a post he held until it was abolished in 1976. A new symbol was created especially for this post, and it was called the Standard of the Prime Minister of Cuba. It was a white flag with a blue frame and a blue five-pointed star in each of the corners.
Meaning of Symbols and Colors
According to the official version of the Cuban government, the flag’s symbolism means:
- three blue stripes – the three parts into which Cuba was divided by the Spanish;
- the two white stripes – the desire for independence;
- the red triangle – equality, fraternity, and freedom, as well as the bloodshed in the struggle for the island’s independence;
- the white star symbolizes freedom.
But let’s go into more detail.
Blue stripes
The blue stripes symbolize the three old administrative divisions of Cuba that existed before the unification of the country.
In addition, the blue color represents the Caribbean Sea surrounding the island nation of Cuba and emphasizes its geographical position.
Also, the blue stripes are a graphic reflection of the demand for independence. However, this color has other meanings such as virtue, beauty, and science.
White stripes
The white stripes on the Cuban flag symbolize the purity of ideas and thoughts, and the people’s struggle for independence and freedom.
The white color also symbolizes the peace that the Cuban people strive for and therefore means peace-loving Cubans from the straightforwardness of their desires.
In addition, white symbolizes incorruptibility and innocence, which also fits into the concept.
Red triangle
The red triangle on the official Cuban flag is the most dramatic symbol. The hull color here means blood spilled for the country’s freedom and independence.
The triangle as a geometric figure also carries a secret meaning. Since the figure is equilateral, its three sides represent Libertad, Igualdad, and Fraternidad (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), the basic principles of the revolutionary movement.
White five-pointed star
The white five-pointed star on top of a red triangle is known as “La Estrella Solitaria” (The Lone Star). Incidentally, the symbol was borrowed from the state of Texas.
The star is a symbol of freedom and independence. It also symbolizes the unity and solidarity of the Cuban people.
Use of the flag
The symbol of Cuba was first raised by General Lopez in 1850 during the uprising against the Spaniards. The national flag was officially approved only in 1902 when the Republic of Cuba was proclaimed. General Gomez put it on the flagpole above the Fortress del Morro, which is located in Havana, emphasizing the end of the bloody battle in the struggle for independence.
Today, the Flag of Cuba is very popular on the island and loved by its inhabitants. It can be seen not only in official buildings but also in the homes of ordinary Cubans. Dozens of flags on high flagpoles almost completely cover the building of the former U.S. Embassy in Havana, thus demonstrating the absence of diplomatic relations between the countries.
Coat of Arms
The original coat of arms of Cuba, also known as the coat of arms of La Palma Real, was created at the same time as the Cuban flag, in 1849. It was invented and drawn by Cuban immigrants living in the United States.
Let’s break it down element by element:
- The stripes in the lower left part of the coat of arms correspond to the stripes of the Cuban flag and symbolize the unity of the administrative-territorial units of the country.
- The lower right part represents a typical Cuban landscape with mountains, forest and plain. In its center is the most beautiful tree of Cuba – the Cuban Royal Palm. It symbolizes the country’s vegetation, fertility of its soil, and natural wealth.
- The image at the top of the shield speaks of Cuba’s geographical position. The water space is the Caribbean Sea, the two land protrusions are the peninsulas of Florida and Yucatan, and the key is Cuba. After all, the island occupies a pivotal position at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico. So this element of the coat of arms symbolizes the geographical and political importance of Cuba. By the way, the image of the key is taken from the coat of arms of Havana.
- The rising sun with many rays symbolizes the birth of the new state, and its bright, glorious future, and also reminds us of the hot tropical climate of Cuba.
- A bundle of liquor rods tied with red ribbons, depicted behind the coat of arms, symbolizes power and a republican state system, and the Phrygian cap with a star symbolizes freedom, democracy, and equality.
- The coat of arms is surrounded by a wreath of branches of evergreen oak, symbolizing the growing strength and vitality of the country, and laurel – a symbol of victory.
The coat of arms became the official state emblem in its present form after the Declaration of Independence in 1902 and was approved by law in 1906. Currently, according to Cuban law, the coat of arms is the symbol of the nation.
