Flag of Cuba
countryThe flag of Cuba was adopted on May 20, 1902 to a design by Miguel Teurbe Tolón and Narciso López. Five stripes with a red hoist triangle and white star. It uses 3 colours: blue, white and red. The official proportions are 1:2.
Hoist
Ratio 1:2
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Cuba |
|---|---|
| Country | Cuba |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Cuba |
| Capital | Havana |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | Caribbean |
| ISO Country Code | CU / CUB |
| Internet Domain | .cu |
| Calling Code | +53 |
| Currency | Cuban convertible peso (CUC), Cuban peso (CUP) |
| National Language(s) | Spanish |
| Demonym | Cuban |
| Area | 109,884 km² |
| Population | 11 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Cuba |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | May 20, 1902 |
| First Used | 1849 |
| Current Version Adopted | May 20, 1902 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Red |
| Designer | Miguel Teurbe Tolón and Narciso López |
| Design Type | Five stripes with a red hoist triangle and white star |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Cuba |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #002A8F | 0, 42, 143 | 100, 71, 0, 44 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #CF142B | 207, 20, 43 | 0, 90, 79, 19 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the three old divisions of the island |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the purity of the independence ideal |
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed for freedom |
| Lone star | La Estrella Solitaria, the star of independence |
| Red triangle | The Masonic symbol of liberty, equality and fraternity |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1849 | The design was first used |
| 1902-05-20 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Cuba Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Cuba
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 124 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | May 20, 1902 |
| Oldest Version | 1849 |
| Designer | Miguel Teurbe Tolón and Narciso López |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Puerto Rico |
| Unique Feature | Five stripes with a red hoist triangle and white star |
Other stripes with a hoist triangle flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Cuba
- The flag was designed in New York in 1849, more than fifty years before Cuban independence, and was first raised over Cuban soil at Cárdenas in 1850 during a failed expedition.
- The red triangle and its lone star are Masonic in origin, drawn from the symbolism of liberty, equality and fraternity that the independence movement's leaders shared.
- Puerto Rico's flag is this design with the red and blue exchanged, created by campaigners who supported independence for both islands.
- The flag of Cuba was officially adopted on May 20, 1902. It was designed by Miguel Teurbe Tolón and Narciso López.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1849, 53 years before it was formally made the flag of Cuba.
- The flag in its present form is 124 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Five stripes with a red hoist triangle and white star.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: blue, white and red.
- The blue on the flag stands for the three old divisions of the island.
- The white on the flag stands for the purity of the independence ideal.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed for freedom.
- Lone star: La Estrella Solitaria, the star of independence.
- Red triangle: The Masonic symbol of liberty, equality and fraternity.
- The design belongs to the "Stripes with a hoist triangle" family, shared with 1 other flag in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Puerto Rico.
- Cuba became independent on 20 May 1902 from the United States, which had administered the island after Spanish rule ended in 1898.
- Baseball is the national sport.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Cuba
When was the flag of Cuba adopted?
The flag of Cuba was officially adopted on May 20, 1902, though the design had already been in use since 1849.
What do the colours of the flag of Cuba mean?
Blue for the three old divisions of the island, white for the purity of the independence ideal and red for the blood shed for freedom.
When did Cuba gain independence?
Cuba became independent on 20 May 1902 from the United States, which had administered the island after Spanish rule ended in 1898.
What is the national sport of Cuba?
Baseball is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Cuba represent?
Lone star — La Estrella Solitaria, the star of independence. Red triangle — The Masonic symbol of liberty, equality and fraternity.
Who designed the flag of Cuba?
The flag was designed by Miguel Teurbe Tolón and Narciso López.
What are the proportions of the flag of Cuba?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Cuba?
The national anthem is "La Bayamesa".
When is the national day of Cuba?
It falls on 1 January, Triumph of the Revolution, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Cuba?
The national animal is the Cuban trogon, the tocororo, whose plumage carries the colours of the flag.