Puerto Rico Flag – History, Love & The Nostalgia of our Beloved Flag

According to Luis Lloréns Torres, a Puerto Rican poet, and politician, the white star signifies liberty and freedom, the white cross signifies the yearning for Patria (Homeland) redemption, and the red squares stand for the bloodshed by the heroes of the rebellion.  The original flag was celestial blue, locals still prefer the original color; all government offices use the navy blue version which is said was changed to match the American Flag, just as it occurred with the current Puerto Rican flag design.  The original flag is exhibited a the Museum of the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras.

How the flag was designed is still somewhat of a mystery with some conflicting facts among historians, there are various anecdotes that explain the process.

Hundreds of participants of the revolution exiled to New York City and the Dominican Republic, most of the revolutionaries suffered execution, most survivors were arrested.  A number of the political refugees formed Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico (Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico), attached to Comite Revolucionario de Cuba (Revolutionary Committee of Cuba), whose mission was gaining independence and national patriotism for Cuba and Puerto Rico.  Antonio Velez Alvarado (1864-1948), born in the town of Manati, one of the survivors who had exiled to New York City is credited with the design of the Puerto Rican flag.  The design of the current Puerto Rican flag was inspired by the Cuban flag with the colors inverted, due to the close relationship nationalists shared of decolonizing the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico and becoming independent

During gatherings at Chimney Corner Hall in New York City the flag of Puerto Rico, revolutionaries and patriots unanimously voted to adopt Alvarado’s design on the 22nd day of December of 1895, it was adopted with the passionate heart of one day being able to enjoy full Puerto Rican independence and sovereignty.  This flag was first flown on March 24, 1897, during a revolt in the town of Yauco known as the “Intentona de Yauco“, the second and last revolt against the colonial rule of Spain, led by the pro-independence movement.  On July 25, 1952, the flag was adopted as the national flag when Puerto Rico became Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, literally translation is Free Associated State of Puerto Rico).

The Gag Law

Outlawing the flag ignites the creation of one of the biggest cultural pride parades. 

The long-awaited desired independence from Spain came at the expense of the Imperialism of the United States of America.  The flag of the United States was raised in Puerto Rico on October 18, 1898, when the U.S officially took control of the island during the Spanish-American War.  Puerto Rico became a United States territory in 1917.

This transition brought a new series of events that propel such national pride demonstrations.  During the transition, the United States made attempts to Americanize the people of Puerto Rico.  Conversely, the islanders did not adapt to such a notion of redefining their customs and beliefs, which lead to the unity of political parties and a greater push for national patriotism.

From the day Puerto Rico was annexed to the United States on December 10, 1898, until 1952,  it was a felony to display the Puerto Rican flag; the flag of the United States was the only flag permitted to be displayed.  Luis Muñoz Marin, then president of the Puerto Rican Senate, passed the bill Law 53 of 1948 (Ley de la Mordaza) – in English known as the Gag Law.(1)  Law 53 made it illegal to display or own the Puerto Rican flag, to speak or write about the independence of Puerto Rico, to sing a patriotic song, or to meet or hold an assembly in favor of the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States.  The bill was signed into law on June 10, 1948, by Jesús T. Piñero, the newly appointed governor by the United States.  Anyone who displayed the Puerto Rico Flag or spoke of independence broke the law and would go to jail for years. (2)

Such restrictive sanctions had a counter-effect in Puerto Rico, through the next few decades, this law propelled many to fight for cultural nationalism. A number of revolts occurred resulting in 28 fatalities: 16 Nationalists, 7 police officers, and 1 National Guardsman. (3)  Poet Francisco Matos Paoli from the town of Lares, faced a prison sentence of 20 years, later reduced to 10 years, the evidence used against him found by police in his home was a Puerto Rican flag and four speeches about Puerto Rico’s independence; he shared a jail cell with Pedro Albizu Campos. (4)

Although the Gag Law was unconstitutional, it remained until 1957, when it was finally repealed.

The Puerto Rican Parade in New York City is one of the biggest cultural pride demonstrations in the United States and the world.  Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Big Apple and walk through the streets of Manhattan celebrating Puerto Rican pride; one thing stands out, the Puerto Rican flag… it is literally a sea of flags.

People hold the flag, wear the flag, and march with fellow Puerto Ricans that come from all different states songs.  They sing in tune songs like “Que Bonita Bandera, Preciosa, and La Borinqueña“.  This spectacular parade roots from Law 53, Puerto Ricans never take for granted their ability to hold, display, wear, embrace or sing to their beloved Monoestrellada flag.

Following are two known facts about the symbolism of the Puerto Rico flag (Gutterman D., 1998).   It was not until the 1950s when the political mentality focus on cultural nationalism “became the ideology of the Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico.” (Duany, 2017)

Original Symbolism of the Puerto Rican Flag

• Red Stripes – The blood from the brave warriors of the revolution.
• White Stripes – Victory and peace after obtaining independence.
• Blue Triangle– Our sky and sea.
• White Lone Star– Our beautiful Island.

Symbolism approved by the United States Congress in 1952.

• Red Stripes  – stands for the “blood” that nourishes the three branches of our government; Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary.
• White Stripes – represents individual liberty and the rights that keep in perfect balance our form of government.
• Blue Triangle – stands for the “Republican Government”, represented by the three branches.
• White Lone Star – represents “The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”

The conflict that is still discussed today about the flag is the color of the triangle.  This debacle was resolved when various historians met at Ateneo Puertorriqueño in San Juan to discuss the the conflict.  It was concluded that the original color of triangle of the flag is celestial blue, the same as the Lares flag.  It was discussed that when Puerto Rico became Estado Libre Asociado (Free Associated State), the blue tone of the triangle was not defined.  Most likely when the flag went into production, it was simply made the same blue as the United States.(5)

Political issues aside, both celestial blue and navy blue are used by local and artisans displaying the flag.  The navy blue triangle is more widely used, it is used in all official buildings.

To those that with strong political convictions, the discussion of the color seems to be rooted in opinions of what the status of Puerto Rico ought to be rather than historical correctness.  Those that prefer independence fervently favor celestial blue, those that favor statehood favor the U.S.A. flag’s navy blue.  A few argue that the original color is indigo blue like the Cuban flag since the design of the Puerto Rican flag was exactly like it with the colors inverted.

The new trend seems to be going back to celestial blue.  It seems that no matter which color is on the flag, it changes nothing about the feeling and meaning it holds for Puerto Ricans.  Although a beloved symbol, love and pride does not come from the flag, it comes from the love shared with family and friends, memories made on the island and respect for Patria in the heart.

Whether celestial or navy blue, it is still the Bonita Bandera.