Haiti Flag: Meaning and History

Embroidered flag patch — Haiti

History of the flag

The colors of Haiti’s flag pay tribute to the French tricolor flag, which accompanied its struggle for independence from its beginnings in 1803 until it was achieved in 1804.

The Haitian banner changed several times before returning to its revolutionary colors in 1986.

What do the elements of the flag mean?

  • The coat of arms on the flag was designed by Alexandre Piéton in 1807. They symbolize cohesion for the defense of freedom, civil war, and rebellion.

  • Blue refers to the Black people of the country.

  • Red represents the mixed-race Haitian people.