As the above picture of the Haiti Flag indicates the background is bi-color - Red and Blue
The Haiti Flag is described as two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Haiti flag represent the following:
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The basic style shown in the picture of the Haiti flag is described as Border Emblem -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 Haiti flag is described as 3:5
The emblem on the Haiti flag pictures the coat of arms which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
The Meaning & History of the Haiti Flag - The flag is believed to have been first created during the country's revolution against the French. The rebels removed the white stripe from the French tricolor and the new creation as their flag
The flag of Haiti was adopted on February 25, 1986
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
Haiti Flag Etiquette
Haiti 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 Haiti as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Haiti
State Flag of Haiti
Military Flag of Haiti (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Haiti
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Haiti Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Haiti 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 Haiti flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Haiti should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Haiti flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Haiti, 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 Haiti Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Haiti flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Haiti flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Haiti flag to the top, then lowering the Haiti Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Haiti flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Haiti flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Haiti flag
The Haiti 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 Haiti 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 Haiti flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Haiti 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 Haiti Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Haiti
Location:
Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Land Size of Haiti : 27,560 sq km
Climate / Weather of Haiti : tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
Population of Haiti : 7,656,166
Capital City of Haiti : Port-au-Prince
GDP of Haiti : $12.18 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly industries based on imported parts
The Caribs and the Arawaks were tropical forest people who probably originated in South America and were related the people found anywhere from Panama to Brazil
Not discovered by Europeans until 1492 when Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World
The Arawaks were progressively wiped out by the after-effects of the Spanish conquest
1650 - 1800's the use of imported African slave labor
1697 Spain ceded the western third of the Hispaniola - which was then called Saint-Domingue - to France
Slaves were forbidden from practicing Voodoo
1791 August 22 the slaves revolted leading to a war against the French
January 1, 1804 Slaves defeated an army sent by Napoleon Bonaparte
January 1, 1804 Haiti declared independence establishing the world's first Black republic
1804 all white people were thrown out of Haiti and many were killed including Catholic Priests
1957 Francois Duvalier , "Papa Doc" became dictator in 1964
1971 Jean-Claude Duvalier, "Baby Doc" followed his father as dictator at the age of 19
1986 "Baby Doc" was deposed
1990 Military rule ended and Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president
2004 February 29 President Aristide left Haiti
Voodoo
Voodoo is the dominant religion of Haiti and is an amalgamation of African spirit religion and Catholicism
The priesthood of Voodoo contains both men (houngan) and women (mambo) and their functions include:
Performing religious ceremonies
Healing
Pacifying spirits
Telling the future and reading dreams
Casting spells (from love spells to death spells)
Creating potions
The religious rites of the religion are usually held outside and everyone participates
Drums are central to the accompanying music as is dancing
A master of ceremonies is often present and 'Iwa' often come and take over a person's body
Nearly every Voodoo service has animal sacrifice
Voodoo consists of peaceful Voodoo called Rada and the dangerous Petro which encompasses Black Magic with death curses and the making of zombies
"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 Flag and Nation of Haiti
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Haiti has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags 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!
