Official Palette
Symbolism
The white cross represents salvation and the Christian faith. Red represents the blood shed for independence, and blue represents the sky and liberty. The coat of arms features a shield supported by a laurel branch and a palm branch, with the national motto: 'Dios, Patria, Libertad' (God, Fatherland, Liberty).
History
Adopted on November 6, 1844, when the Dominican Republic gained independence from Haiti. Juan Pablo Duarte, founder of the La Trinitaria secret society, designed the white-cross layout to distinguish the new state from neighboring Haiti while expressing Christian and republican ideals.
Construction
A 2:3 ratio. A white cross divides the flag into four rectangles: blue (top hoist and bottom fly) and red (bottom hoist and top fly). The national coat of arms is centered.
Color Meanings
Country Facts
- Population
- 10.8M
1.8% of North America
- Capital
- Santo Domingo
- Languages
- Spanish
- Continent
- North America
- Subregion
- Caribbean
- Landlocked
- Island state
- Borders
- ISO 3166-1
- DO
Flag Identification
- Adopted
- November 6, 1844
- Designer
- Juan Pablo Duarte
- Proportions
2:3 (≈1.500)
- Total Colors
- 4
- Key Symbols
- Emblem
Influences
Related flags
Flag Protocol
- The Bible in the coat of arms must be open to the Gospel of John
- Must be flown from sunrise to sunset on all public buildings
Practice
Think you know the flags of Caribbean? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.