Cuba Flag

Cuba's flag has five equal horizontal stripes of alternating blue and white (three blue, two white), with an equilateral red triangle at the hoist bearing a single white five-pointed star.

The three blue stripes represent the three original administrative regions of Cuba. The two white stripes stand for the purity of the independence movement. The red triangle represents the blood shed for liberty, equality, and fraternity. The lone star represents the new independent state.

The flag was designed in 1849 by poet Miguel Teurbe Tolón and General Narciso López, who planned an independence expedition. It was first raised in Cuban soil in 1850 at Cárdenas.

Cuba remained a Spanish colony until 1898; during the wars of independence, the flag flew among rebel forces. It became the official national flag on 20 May 1902 when Cuba achieved formal independence, and has remained unchanged ever since.