From the corner of one island nation (Wales), we take a trip across the Atlantic to another island nation just 90 miles off the coast of Florida. So light up a cigar, mix yourself a mojito and get ready to transit through another country to see Hemingway's other house- because this week, we're gettin' embargoed with Cuba!
Right off the bat, we see something unusual about the flag of Cuba: it wasn't totally re-designed after the Communists took power in 1959- the current design was adopted for national and civil usage on May 20th, 1902. The flag was designed however, in 1848 for the liberation movement which was fighting for independence from Spain- (and apparently to make Cuba into a state of the United States according to my handy-dandy pocket guide. Not sure how on the level that is, but it could be true.) The blue and white stripes recall the Stars and Stripes- and the star is known as La Estrella Solitaria- the lone star, and another potential addition to the United States. (The stripes represent the five provinces in Cuba at the time.)
In even more parallels to the United States- the red triangle is taken from the Masonic symbol of equality- and you just have to look at a dollar bill to see reams and reams of Masonic symbols everywhere.
The number of parallels to the flag of the United States is surprising given the relationship between our two countries and how frosty and complicated it's been over the past six decades or so-- but when you consider that US intervention in the Spanish-American War helped gain Cuban independence as well, it becomes more unusual still.
An interesting flag for an interesting country that I hope to visit someday. In the meantime, until next time keep your flags flying- FREAK or otherwise!
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