Flag of Dominican Republic

Flag origins

The Dominican Republic’s flag divides red and blue quarters with a white cross and places the national coat of arms at the center. Blue is associated with freedom, red with blood shed for independence and patriots’ sacrifices, and white with peace, salvation and unity. The arms include a Bible, cross, spears, laurel and palm branches. The official open-Bible design corresponds to John 8:32, “The truth shall make you free.” It also bears the motto DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD: God, Fatherland, Liberty.

Flag story

The open Bible at the center is highly unusual among national flags. Rather than merely adding a religious symbol, it links with the country’s motto, God, Fatherland, Liberty. Do not confuse the Dominican Republic with Dominica. Dominica is a small Caribbean island country with a green flag and a purple parrot. The Dominican Republic occupies eastern Hispaniola and uses a red-white-blue flag with central arms. They are entirely separate countries.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• Dominican Republic — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

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