Flag of Dominican Republic

Facts about the Flag of Dominican Republic

1. This is the only national flag in the world that depicts a Bible. The book in the coat of arms is shown open, traditionally at the Gospel of John.
2. The white cross was added to a plain blue and red bicolour in 1844 by Juan Pablo Duarte's independence movement, splitting the field into quarters that alternate the two colours.
3. The civil flag omits the coat of arms entirely and is what most people fly; the version with the arms is reserved for the state.
4. The flag of Dominican Republic was officially adopted on November 6, 1863. It was designed by Juan Pablo Duarte.
5. The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1844, 19 years before it was formally made the flag of Dominican Republic.
6. The flag in its present form is 163 years old as of 2026.
7. Design type: White cross quartering blue and red, with the coat of arms.
8. The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
9. The flag uses 3 colours: blue, red and white.
10. The blue on the flag stands for liberty and the protection of God.
11. The red on the flag stands for the blood of the heroes.
12. The white on the flag stands for salvation and the unity of the people.
13. Bible and cross: The coat of arms shows an open Bible with a cross — the only national flag in the world to depict a Bible.
14. Motto: “Dios, Patria, Libertad” — God, Homeland, Liberty.
15. The design belongs to the "Centred cross" family, shared with 4 other flags in this reference.
16. Flags most often confused with it: England, Georgia and Guernsey.
17. Dominican Republic became independent on 27 February 1844 from Haiti.
18. Independence from Spain came in 1821, but Haitian rule followed within weeks; the 1844 date is the one the country celebrates.