Flag of Haiti
countryThe flag of Haiti was adopted on February 25, 1986 to a design by Attributed to Catherine Flon. Horizontal bicolour with the coat of arms on a white panel. It uses 3 colours: blue, red and white. The official proportions are 3:5.
Hoist
Ratio 3:5
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Haiti |
|---|---|
| Country | Haiti |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Haiti |
| Capital | Port-au-Prince |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | Caribbean |
| ISO Country Code | HT / HTI |
| Internet Domain | .ht |
| Calling Code | +509 |
| Currency | Haitian gourde (HTG) |
| National Language(s) | French, Haitian Creole |
| Demonym | Haitian |
| Area | 27,750 km² |
| Population | 12 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Haiti |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | February 25, 1986 |
| First Used | 1804 |
| Current Version Adopted | February 25, 1986 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Blue, Red, White |
| Designer | Attributed to Catherine Flon |
| Design Type | Horizontal bicolour with the coat of arms on a white panel |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Haiti |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #00209F | 0, 32, 159 | 100, 80, 0, 38 | |
| Red | #D21034 | 210, 16, 52 | 0, 92, 75, 18 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the black citizens |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the citizens of mixed heritage |
| White colour | Represents the arms panel |
| Palm and cannons | A royal palm topped with a cap of liberty, above trophies of war |
| Motto | “L’Union Fait La Force” — Unity Makes Strength |
| Origin | Made by tearing the white from the French tricolour and sewing the blue and red together |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1804 | The design was first used |
| 1986-02-25 | 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 | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Haiti 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 Haiti
| 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 | 40 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | February 25, 1986 |
| Oldest Version | 1804 |
| Designer | Attributed to Catherine Flon |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Liechtenstein, San Marino, Singapore |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal bicolour with the coat of arms on a white panel |
Other horizontal bicolour with an emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Haiti
- The origin story is unusually specific: the white band was torn out of a French tricolour at Arcahaie in 1803, and the remaining blue and red were sewn together.
- Haiti reverted to this design in 1986 after twenty-two years of a black and red flag used under the Duvalier governments — the older flag returned rather than a new one being designed.
- The civil flag has no coat of arms. The state version shows captured French cannon, drums and anchors around a royal palm topped with a cap of liberty.
- The flag of Haiti was officially adopted on February 25, 1986. It was designed by Attributed to Catherine Flon.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1804, 182 years before it was formally made the flag of Haiti.
- The flag in its present form is 40 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal bicolour with the coat of arms on a white panel.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 19 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: blue, red and white.
- The blue on the flag stands for the black citizens.
- The red on the flag stands for the citizens of mixed heritage.
- The white on the flag stands for the arms panel.
- Palm and cannons: A royal palm topped with a cap of liberty, above trophies of war.
- Motto: “L’Union Fait La Force” — Unity Makes Strength.
- Origin: Made by tearing the white from the French tricolour and sewing the blue and red together.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bicolour with an emblem" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Liechtenstein, San Marino and Singapore.
- Haiti became independent on 1 January 1804 from France.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Haiti
When was the flag of Haiti adopted?
The flag of Haiti was officially adopted on February 25, 1986, though the design had already been in use since 1804.
What do the colours of the flag of Haiti mean?
Blue for the black citizens, red for the citizens of mixed heritage and white for the arms panel.
When did Haiti gain independence?
Haiti became independent on 1 January 1804 from France. Haiti was the first country in the world to be founded by a successful revolt of enslaved people.
What is the national sport of Haiti?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Haiti represent?
Palm and cannons — A royal palm topped with a cap of liberty, above trophies of war. Motto — “L’Union Fait La Force” — Unity Makes Strength. Origin — Made by tearing the white from the French tricolour and sewing the blue and red together.
Who designed the flag of Haiti?
The flag was designed by Attributed to Catherine Flon.
What are the proportions of the flag of Haiti?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 19 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Haiti?
The national anthem is "La Dessalinienne".
When is the national day of Haiti?
It falls on 1 January, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Haiti?
The national animal is the Hispaniolan trogon.