The Flag of Réunion
The flag of Réunion is not officially recognized by the French government, as the island is an overseas department of France, which officially uses the French national flag. However, a regional flag has gained popularity among the local population and for unofficial use. This flag, known as the Flag of Réunion or Lo Mahaveli, features a blue field with a yellow ring intersected by a red, white, and green tricolor, which extends from the lower hoist-side corner to the upper fly-side corner. The colors represent the island's diverse landscape and cultural heritage.
History of The Flag of Réunion
The flag of Réunion, widely recognized today, was created in 2003 by a local organization named L’Amicale des Originaires de l’Inde à la Réunion. Its design symbolizes the island's multicultural society, blending elements that represent the native inhabitants and the various ethnic groups that have settled on the island over centuries, including Africans, Europeans, Indians, and Chinese. The blue represents the sky and the ocean that surrounds the island, the yellow circle symbolizes unity and the sun, the green stands for the lush landscapes, the white denotes the snowy peaks of the mountains, and the red embodies the volcanic nature of the island. Despite its popularity and wide use in cultural and sporting events, the flag is not officially adopted by the local government and does not replace the French Tricolor in official capacities.