What Is the Meaning of Each Primary Color in the St. Martin Flag?

The Caribbean island of St. Martin has been ruled since 1493 by Spain, the Netherlands and France. In 2003, the populace voted to secede from the French overseas department of Guadeloupe; in 2007, a portion of the island became a French overseas collectivity.

The French Flag

• St. Martin flies the flag of France, which is known as the tricolore. The flag consists of three vertical bands of equal width and displays the national colors: blue, white and red. Each of the colors symbolizes one of the ideals of the French Revolution.

Blue

• The blue band represents the principle of fraternity or brotherhood. Along with red, blue is also a traditional symbol of the capital city of Paris.

White

• White represents the ideal of equality or solidarity. It is also the traditional color of the royal house of Bourbon.

Red

• Red is the color that symbolizes liberty. Along with blue, it is a traditional color for the city of Paris. Red was the color of the flags flown by citizens on the barricades in the Revolution of 1848.