FLAG OF CUBA: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The flag of Cuba is the most important national symbol of this Caribbean island. It is also known by the name of the Lone Star Flag. It is made up of five horizontal stripes of equal size, in which blue and white alternate. On the left side of the flag there is a red triangle with a white five-pointed star.

The current flag has been in force since 1902, the year in which Cuba achieved independence under the tutelage of the United States. For this reason, it is the only flag that has been flown in Cuban air since independence. However, as Cuba had a late emancipation, the country had numerous pre-independence flags.

Flag of Cuba. (By Madden, from Wikimedia Commons).

Although the flag became official in 1902, its design was approved in 1869 by the Constituent Assembly of Guáimaro. Previously, the military officer Narciso López designed the pavilion.

The blue stripes of the flag are identified with the three military departments into which colonial Cuba was divided. The white ones refer to the purity of the Cubans. Red represents the blood shed in the independence struggle. Meanwhile, the existence of the triangle responds to various interpretations related to the number three.

History of the flag

The Republic of Cuba, throughout its history, has only had one national flag. However, the history of the Cuban flag is full of attempts at flags that tried to be established before independence.

The flag of Cuba has become the undisputed symbol of Cuban unity. It even highlights the fact that after Cuba's conversion into a socialist state, the flag has not undergone any alteration to refer to communist symbols. The national flag is the representative symbol of all Cubans.

Spanish colonization

Cuba was, along with Puerto Rico, the last Spanish colony in America. From 1535, Cuba became part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. At that time, the Spanish Empire used the flag of the Cross of Burgundy to identify its colonial power in America.

Flag of the Cross of Burgundy (used in Cuba between 1535-1785). (By Ningyou., From Wikimedia Commons).

This flag was maintained after the creation of the Captaincy General of Cuba in 1777. Its use was established by the House of Austria and although it was to be a naval flag, it was used as a flag in the colonies.

Reddish flag

However, later, from 1785, the flag was replaced by the red. This was the naval flag and national flag until 1873. It consisted of two red stripes at the ends, each representing a quarter of the flag, and a central yellow stripe that occupied half. To the left of the yellow stripe was a simplified version of the shield.

Flag of Spain (1785-1873) (1875-1902). (By previous version User: Ignaciogavira; current version HansenBCN, designs from SanchoPanzaXXI, via Wikimedia Commons).

First Spanish Republic

After the abdication of King Amadeo of Savoy, a republic was proclaimed in Spain. This new state had to face the first Cuban war of independence, known as the Ten Years' War.

At that time, practically all the American colonies of Spain were independent, and the Europeans only maintained those of Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The flag of the First Spanish Republic consisted of the same previous flag, but with the removal of the royal crown on the shield. In this way the end of the monarchy became notorious.

Flag of the Spanish Republic (1873-1874). (By Ignacio Gavira (original image), B1mbo (modifications), via Wikimedia Commons).

Bourbon restoration

However, in Spain there was a change of political regime very quickly. The First Republic barely lasted a couple of years, and in December 1874 the Bourbon restoration was proclaimed in the country. Then, the monarchy and the previous flag, which was in force until the independence of Cuba, were retaken.

Pro-independence flags

Cuba's desire for independence has a long history. The Caribbean country was only able to gain independence in the 20th century, while the rest of the Spanish-American colonies were emancipated in the first decades of the 19th century.

This is not to say that strong independence movements did not exist throughout the nineteenth century.

The first flag for an independent Cuba was the one proposed by the lawyer Joaquín Infante in his draft constitution in 1810. It was made up of three horizontal stripes of the same size, green, blue and white.

Flag proposed by Joaquín Infante. (By Hierakares, from Wikimedia Commons).

One of the first independence movements was the Conspiracy of the Suns and Rays of Bolívar. This was made up of a Masonic lodge made up of Cuban Creole whites who, around 1823, promoted Cuban independence.

After years of preparation, the conspiracy was dismantled. However, his flag remained, which was made up of a red background with a blue rectangle on top and a yellow sun.

Flag of the Suns and Rays of Bolívar. (Mylen cecofis, Humberto0601ad jc, ecured.cu).

Conspiracy of Mina de la Rosa Cubana

Since the mid-nineteenth century, Cuban independence was completely linked to an eventual annexation to the United States. Cuba is very close to the northern country and the fact that it continued to be a Spanish colony harmed the interests of the United States government, especially the southern states.

One of the most important manifestations was the Conspiracy of the Cuban Rose Mine, which took place between 1947 and 1948. This movement was led by the Spanish-Venezuelan military officer Narciso López.

The objective of this conspiracy was to force an annexation to the United States of the island in case Spain abolished slavery. This plan was neutralized, although leaders like Narciso López managed to flee to the United States.

Three designs of flags

Despite its short duration, there were three flags that this conspiracy had. The first was a tricolor flag of blue, white and red, in descending order.

First flag design of the Conspiracy of Mina de la Rosa Cubana (By User: Zscout370, from Wikimedia Commons).

The second design was also a horizontal tricolor. In this case, the extreme stripes were dark blue, while the central one was white. In the lower left corner a white eight-pointed star was incorporated.

Second flag design of the Conspiracy of Mina de la Rosa Cubana (Humberto0601ad jc, ecured.cu).

The last design was quite similar to the previous one. However, the extreme stripes became a quarter of the flag each. They were still blue, but lighter. The eight-pointed star went up to the white stripe, and it changed to red.

Third flag design of the Cuban Rose Mine Conspiracy (Humberto0601ad jc, ecured.cu).

Creation of the current Cuban flag

Narciso López, from exile, continued planning a conquest of Cuba to liberate the island from Spanish rule. López had already proposed three flags during the Cuban Rose Mine Conspiracy, but a new design became necessary for the country he desired. As is traditional with national symbols, the creation of the Cuban flag has a legend.

This story tells that López saw that in the colors of the dawn a triangle of red clouds could be appreciated. In addition, in the area occupied by these clouds, the planet Venus, known as the morning star, stood out.

The legend goes further: next to the triangle of red clouds, two white clouds spread out, making three blue stripes of sky visible.

The legend, too perfect, encompassed the epic of the design of the flag. Clearly, the colors were influenced by the American flag. The true designer of the flag was Miguel Teurbe Tolón, following López's instructions. The preparation was carried out by Emilia Teurbe Tolón, López's wife.

The flag was raised for the first time in Cárdenas (Matanzas), Cuba, on May 19, 1950, after a new expedition by Narciso López on the island.

Ten Years War

The longest-lasting Cuban independence conflict was the Ten Years' War. This was the first war aimed at the independence of Cuba.

Its beginning was in 1968, coinciding with the proclamation of the Spanish Republic. Its main leader was Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, currently considered the father of the Cuban nation.

The war began with the Cry of Yara. This was an event in which the objectives of independence were established and the Manifesto of the Revolutionary Junta of the Island of Cuba was read.

During this event, which occurred on the night between October 9 and 10, 1968, at the La Demajagua plantation sugar mill, a new flag designed by de Céspedes was established.

This flag consisted of a large blue horizontal strip that occupies the lower half of the flag. The upper part was divided into two equal parts, the left being red and the right being white.

Inside the red box was a five-pointed star. Over time, the flag was adapted to rectangular dimensions, which reduced the red box and widened the white stripe.

Flag of La Demajagua. (By Denelson83, from Wikimedia Commons).

Constituent Assembly of Guáimaro

During the conflict, between April 10 and 12, 1869, the Constituent Assembly of the Republic of Cuba was held in the town of Guáimaro. This meeting approved a constitution and unified the different factions that were fighting against the Spanish Crown.

One of the decisions made by the Constituent Assembly was to establish the flag designed by Narciso López as the national insignia. However, the flag of La Demajagua, designed by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes received special treatment, occupying a distinguished place in each parliamentary session. That fact is still preserved today in the National Assembly of the People's Power of Cuba.

After ten years of war, on February 10, 1878, the independentistas surrendered in La Paz de Zanjón. This did not mean the end of the Cuban libertarian will.

Cuban War of Independence

After the failure of the Little War, in which the independence troops were easily defeated, the Cuban independence movement planned a new uprising.

This took place on February 24, 1895 with the leadership of the poet José Martí. The movement was planned as a simultaneous uprising in multiple cities throughout the Cuban geography.

The United States intervened in the war indirectly, as it demanded the necessary reforms from Spain to end the conflict. In this way, the Spanish government approved the Autonomous Charter of Cuba in 1897, which gave the island solid self-government.

The cause of the rebels were greater and the autonomism, which was imposed in the elections held, was not a cause to give in in the war.

Finally, the United States entered the war after the sinking of the battleship Maine. In this way, the Spanish-American War began, by which the United States invaded the last three non-African colonies of Spain: Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

American occupation and independence

Spain signed the Treaty of Paris in 1898, which ceded to the United States the three aforementioned colonies, in addition to Guam. That caused the Americans to occupy Cuba until 1902. During that period, the flag that was flown in Cuba was that of the United States.

Flag of the United States, used in Cuba (1898-1902). (By No machine-readable author provided. Jacobolus assumed (based on copyright claims)., Via Wikimedia Commons).

After many pressures and supervised elections, Cuba obtained its independence on May 20, 1902. From that moment, the flag of Narciso López came into force.

However, Cuba remained under US influence with the approval of the Platt Amendment, by which its neighbors could intervene on the island at any time they deemed necessary.

Meaning of the flag

The Cuban flag has acquired meanings that, added to its original composition, have allowed an understanding of the symbol as an element of unity of Cubans. In the first place, the three blue stripes represent each military department into which the Spanish colony of Cuba was divided.

White

As is common, the color white is identified with the purity of the Cuban people, especially those committed to freedom.

Red

The red also represents the blood spilled by all those independentistas in the different conflicts that had as their objective the emancipation of the country. The white star is the symbol of union of all the Cuban people.

Triangle

The most significant symbol is the triangle. Narciso López assumed it as a symbol of Christian Divine Providence: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

However, the Freemasons, very involved among the independentistas, have linked the triangle with freedom, equality and fraternity. In addition, it would also be related to perfect harmony.

Star

The star also has a Masonic interpretation. Its five points can be identified with the elements of this institution, such as beauty, virtue, strength, charity and wisdom.

References

1. Arias, E. (2006). Flags of the world. Editorial Gente Nueva: Havana, Cuba.
2. Constitution of the Republic of Cuba. (1976). Article 4. Recovered from cuba.cu.
3. López, R. (2010). History of Cuba. History (Santiago), 43 (1), 271-282. Recovered from scielo.conicyt.cl.
4. Najarro, L. (October 20, 2016). Cuban flag: its seven historical moments. Radio Camaguey. Recovered from radiocamaguey.wordpress.com.
5. Smith, W. (2014). Flag of Cuba. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Recovered from britannica.com.