Flag of Dominica

The flag of Dominica was adopted on 3 November 1978, with some small changes having been made in 1981, 1988, and 1990. The original flag was designed by playwright Alwin Bully in early 1978 as the country prepared for independence.[1]

Not to be confused with Flag of the Dominican Republic.
Dominica
UseCivil and state flag
Proportion1:2
Adopted1990
DesignA green field with the centred cross of three bands: the vertical part is: yellow, black and white and the horizontal part is: yellow, black and white and the red disk superimposed at the centre of the cross bearing a purple Sisserou Parrot facing the hoist-side encircled by ten green five-pointed stars.
Designed byAlwin Bully
Variant flag of Dominica
UsePresidential Standard
DesignA green field with the coat of arms of Dominica at the centre

History and design

The flag, adopted in 1978, features the national bird emblem, the sisserou parrot, which also appears on the coat of arms granted on 21 July 1961. This parrot, endemic to Dominica, is an endangered species with a population of only 250–350 individuals.[2]

The green field represents the lush vegetation of the island. The cross represents the Trinity and Christianity, with its three colours symbolising the natives, the fertile soil, and the pure water. The 10 green five-pointed stars stand for the country's 10 parishes: (St Andrew, St David, St George, St John, St Joseph, St Luke, St Mark, St Patrick, St Paul, and St Peter), while the red disc stands for justice.

The sisserou parrot is sometimes coloured either blue or purple (the parrot's actual colour). The use of purple makes the flag of Dominica one of only two flags of sovereign states (alongside the flag of Nicaragua) to contain the colour.

The flag of Dominica, along with other national symbols, was the focus of a government-sponsored "Emblems Week" in 2016. An initiative of the independence committee, Emblems Week is aimed at reflecting on the meaning of the national emblems, and promoting their use among members of the general public and particularly among the country's schools.[3]

Historical designs
  • Flag used between 1955–65
  • Flag used between 1965–78
  • Flag used between 1978–81
  • Flag used between 1981–88
  • Flag used between 1988–90
  • Flag used between 1990-present

References
  1. "Today is Flag Day in Dominica". Dominica News Online. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  2. "Amazona imperialis", The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  3. Dominica, GIS. "Dominica Observes First Ever 'Emblems Week'". www.news.gov.dm. Retrieved 2 May 2018.


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