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Dominica

Commonwealth of Dominica

Last modified: 2001-11-09 by dov gutterman
Keywords: dominica | caribbean | america | parrot | sisserou parrot | star (10) | cross |
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by Carlos Esparza, 9 Febuary 2001



see also:


The National Flag

From Album 2000 [pay00] - National Flag (CSW/CSW 1:2) - Green flag with yellow-black-white corss and red disk with 10 yellow bordered green stars and sisserou parrot (loking towards hoist). The construction details are given beside the figure as (9+2+2+2+9):(21+2+2+2+21). Measuring the image in Album 2000, the disk diameter apears to be equal to 12 units (i.e. double the three stripes width). It is hard to judje the size of the stars, they apear to be inscribed in circles larger then 2 units, but weather they'll be 3, I couldn't say. maybe the document from which Armand got the rest of the construction would say more. I doubt that the size of yellow border is prescribed. The use of unusual colours in this flag might be a good reson to
quote the colour approximation provided in Album: green Pantone 347c, red Pantone 185c. yellow Pantone 116c and purple Pantone 254c.
Zeljko Heimer, 15 June 2001

Is there some branch under the parrot and what is the orientation of stars?
BTW - the Sisserou parrot is, scientifically, Amazona Imperialis.
Jan Zrzavy, 16 June 2001

The image by Carlos Esparza is very well done regarding the details in the disk (OTOH, the cross is not quite according to the Album secification, though). So the stars are pointing "outwards" but that virtually means that the topmost star is pointing upwards and then interchangably next one is pointing downwards, and next one upwards again and so on. There is a yellow branch on which the parror is sitting (not brownish as by Carlos). The beak and "fingers" are white (or very light yellow?) in Album, and those parts that are in Carlo's image blue are purple in Album. There should not be the small green part between the two purple parts (near the beak) - all should be purple there.
I always wandered - Dominica was under British colonial influencem, so how come that they never adopted anything similar to the British rich flags & ensigns system?
Zeljko Heimer, 16 June 2001


Previous flags

Flag of 1978


by Herman De Wael, 8 June 1997

Flag of 1981


by Herman De Wael, 8 June 1997

First adopted 3 November 1978. Black and white bands interchanged on 3 November 1981, posture of parrot changed 1988. Originally the stars had no yellow border.
Mark Sensen , 2 January 1996


Official Announcement of 3 November 1978

The new Dominica independence flag is now on display at Government headquarters. Dominicans are invited to view the flag on the third floor of the building.

The flag in an amendment of a design submitted by Alwin Bully for a flag competition held early this year. It consists of a circular emblem of red bearing a Sisserou Parrot (Psittacus Imperiala) standing on a twig encircled by ten lime green stars. This is superimposed on three vertical and three horizontal stripes of yellow, white and black forming a triple coloured cross against a general background of forest green.

The central emblem presents the National Bird of Dominica, the Sisserou Parrot, also a symbol of flight towards greater heights and fulfilment of aspirations. The Parrot also comes from the Dominica Coat of Arms thus symbolising the official seal of the country.

The ten lime green stars - the traditional symbol of hope - represent the ten parishes of the country, each with equal status, thus the equality of our people. The red central emblem carries the connotation of socialism.

The yellow, white and black stripes form a triple coloured cross representing the Trinity of God. The cross itself demonstrates belief in God since the Commonwealth of Dominica is founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God.

The yellow stripe represents the sunshine of our land, our main agricultural products: citrus and bananas and also a symbol of the Carib people, the first inhabitants of the Island.

The white stripe represents the clarity of our rivers and waterfalls and the purity of aspirantion of our people.

The black stripe represents the rich black soil of our island on which our agriculture is based and also our African heritage.

The general background of dark green symbolises our rich verdunt forests and the general lushness of the island.

The flag can be seen during normal working hours. Citizens may, if they so desire, use the colours of the flag for making buntings to decorate their houses and surroundings during Independence Celebrations.

"The army loyal to the Prime Minister Mary Eugenia Charles represses a revolt lead by the ex-commander-in-chief of Dominican Army Frederik Newton and by his vice Ashton Benjamin; they are arrested together with more than 90 people. The rebels tried to assail the prison in which there was the ex-Prime Minister Patrick John, who was arrested on 12 February 1981"


So I argue that the little change of the flag is someway related with the change of government happened in the same year.
Giuseppe Bottasini


Vertical Hoisting


by Herman DeWael, 20 September 1998

The flag is hung with the reverse showing, but the parrot retains the original position.
Graham Bartram and Zeljko Heimer, 7 August 1996






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