Dominicans at home and abroad are being encouraged to display their flags throughout the day as Dominica observes ‘Flag Day’ today.
Flag Day was instituted by the Cultural Division as part of Independence Celebrations for the population to display and give recognition to the flag.
A symbol of nationhood and national identity, the Dominican flag we know today is the product of the recent design of November 3, 1988.
In this iteration, one of the most intricate designs in the world, it consists of a circular emblem of red bearing a blue chested Sisserou Parrot standing on a twig. The parrot, which must always face the flagpole, is encircled by ten lime green stars. The ten stars are outlined in yellow. This is superimposed by three vertical and three horizontal stripes of yellow, black, and white forming a triple colored cross against a general background of forest green. Each symbol and color seen on the flag has a specific meaning and purpose.
The first official version of Dominica’s flag was officially revealed on November 3, 1978, at the Government headquarters. It was designed by the late Dr. Alwin Bully for a flag competition held earlier that year. Whereas most flags have a maximum of four colors, Dominica’s national flag has eight, which makes it more complex and expensive to produce.