Haiti’s national flag is a horizontal bicolour of blue above red. The state flag places the national coat of arms in a white panel at the centre.

What does the Haitian flag look like?

The civil flag uses two equal horizontal bands, blue and red. The official state version adds Haiti’s coat of arms, including a palm tree, weapons, flags and the motto L’Union fait la Force — “Unity Makes Strength.”

Origins of the flag

Haitian tradition dates the flag to 1803, during the final struggle against French colonial rule. Revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines is associated with removing the white band from the French tricolour and joining the remaining blue and red as a symbol of the new nation.

Modern history

Different Haitian governments altered the colors and orientation over time. The blue-over-red bicolour with the republican coat of arms was restored after the fall of the Duvalier regime in 1986.

Haiti flag facts

• Colors: blue and red
• Revolutionary origin: 1803
• State emblem: national coat of arms
• Motto: L’Union fait la Force