As the above picture of the Cuban Flag indicates the overall background is tricolor of red, white and blue
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Cuban flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
Further symbolism is associated with the colors of the Cuban flag
The Meaning & History of the Cuban Flag. The colors represent the following:
Blue stripes refer to the three old divisions of the island
White to the strength of the independent ideal
Red triangle stands for equality, fraternity and freedom and the blood split in the struggle for independence
The lone star symbolizes the absolute freedom among the Cuban people
The basic style shown in the picture of the Cuban flag is described as Triangle reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Cuban flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side ) is called the Hoist and pictures a red equilateral triangle bearing a white, five-pointed star in the center
The flag field consists of five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white
The Cuban flag was adopted on May 20, 1902
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Cuban Flag Etiquette
Cuban Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Cuban as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Cuban
State Flag of Cuban
Military Flag of Cuban (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Cuban
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Cuban Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Cuban should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Cuban flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Cuban should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Cuban flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Cuban, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Cuban Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Cuban flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Cuban flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Cuban flag to the top, then lowering the Cuban Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Cuban flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Cuban flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Cuban flag
The Cuban flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Cuban flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Cuban flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Cuban Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Cuban Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Cuba
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida
Land Size of Cuba : 110,860 sq km
Cuban Climate / Weather : tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)
Cuba was first inhabited by Native American Indians
Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492
Colonised by the Spanish in the 1500's
1810 - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
The Cuban struggle for independence culminated with the 1898 Spanish-American War which resulted in Cuban Independence form Spain
The USA adopted limited occupation in Cuba up to 1902 but this ended in 1934
In 1959 Fidel Castro led a Communist revolution and the rebel army overthrew the Cuban president Fulgencio Batista
In 1961 a Cuban Communist State was set up with Russian backing
January 1, 1959 Cuban Revolution - Fidel Castro assumes power
December 19, 1960 Cuba openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union and their policies
THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS TIMELINE
The 1960's Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the most perilous periods in World History and the following Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline has been provided reflecting the momentous importance of these events...
January 3, 1961 The U.S. terminates diplomatic relations
April 17, 1961 "The Bay of Pigs" - A group of Cuban exiles, backed by the US, invades Cuba at the Bay of Pigs in a failed attempt to trigger an anti-Castro rebellion
June 3-4, 1961 Khrushchev and Kennedy hold summit talks in Vienna regarding the Cuban Missile Crisis
August 31, 1962 Senator Kenneth Keating tells the Senate that there is evidence of Soviet missile installations in Cuba
September 11, 1962 Soviet Foreign Minister, Andrei Gromyko, warns that an American attack on Cuba could mean war with the Soviet Union
October 14 1962 - A U-2 flying over western Cuba obtains photographs of missile sites
October 14 - 17 1962 The Joint Chiefs of Staff strongly advise Kennedy to make an air strike ( the discussions are referred to as the EX-COMM's )
October 18, 1962 Gromyko assures Kennedy that Soviet Cuban aid has been only for the "defensive capabilities of Cuba."
October 22, 1962 Congressional leaders are shown the photographic evidence of the Soviet missile Cuban installations and the President addresses the nation regarding the Cuban crisis
October 22, 1962 U.S. military forces go to DEFCON 3
October 23, 1962 Kennedy receives a letter from Khrushchev in which Khrushchev states that there is a, "serious threat to peace and security of peoples."
October 23, 1962 Robert Kennedy speaks with Ambassador Dobrynin
October 24, 1962 Soviet ships, en route to Cuba, reverse their course except for one
October 24, 1962 Military forces go to DEFCON 2
October 25, 1962 Kennedy sends a letter to Khrushchev placing the responsibility for the crisis on the Soviet Union
October 26, 1962 Khrushchev sends a letter to Kennedy proposing to remove his missiles if Kennedy publicly announces never to invade Cuba
October 27, 1962 An American U-2 is shot down over Cuba killing the pilot, Major Rudolf Anderson
October 27, 1962 A U-2 strays into Soviet airspace, near Alaska, and is nearly intercepted by Soviet fighters
October 27, 1962 Kennedy sends Khrushchev a letter stating that he will make a statement that the U.S. will not invade Cuba if Khrushchev removes the missiles from Cuba
October 28, 1962 Khrushchev announces over Radio Moscow that he has agreed to remove the missiles from Cuba
So ends Cuban Missile Crisis and the most perilous period in World History and the terrifying possibility of a Nuclear War
1991 - the collapse of the Soviet Union
Cuba adjusts to new Cuban political reforms
THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS TIMELINE
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
The Cuban Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Cuba and the Cuban Missile Crisis & Timeline has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
