The Flag of Aruba
The flag of Aruba consists of a field of light blue, known as 'Larkspur' or 'U.N. blue', with two narrow horizontal yellow stripes near the bottom, and a four-pointed red star outlined in white in the canton. The blue field represents the sky and the sea that surrounds Aruba, the yellow stripes signify the sandy beaches, and the red star represents the island itself with its red soil, surrounded by its white beaches. The white outline around the star signifies the purity and honesty of the Arubans.
History of The Flag of Aruba
The flag of Aruba was officially adopted on March 18, 1976, following a design competition that was part of the festivities celebrating Aruba's flag and national anthem day. This date now marks a national holiday in Aruba, known as 'Flag Day'. The design was chosen to symbolize Aruba's dedication to its autonomy and the distinct cultural identity of the island within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Prior to 1976, Aruba, as part of the Netherlands Antilles, did not have a separate flag and used the flag of the Netherlands Antilles for official purposes. The adoption of its own flag was a significant step in Aruba's journey towards greater self-governance, which was further solidified when it became a separate entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1986.