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Puerto Rico - Political Flags

Last modified: 2003-07-05 by dov gutterman
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Overview

PR is not a state or a territory of the US; it is a voluntarily associated free state ("estado libre asociado", I believe is the official title.) Their citizens are US citizens and they use US currency, the US handles foreign affairs and defense, but they are internally self-governing. They have no voting representative in Congress (however someone does serve on committees and can speak on the floor) and do not pay income tax (not to Washington, anyway; I don't know the local tax structure.) PR has its own Olympic committee and participates under its own flag there and at the Pan American games etc. There is a prominent statehood movement and a small independence movement; the shades of blue in the PR flag supposedly distinguish these folks.
Al Kirsch, 23 March 2003

On the Puerto Rico statehood issue, there is a serious pro-statehood movement on the island.  The last vote on the future status of Puerto Rico in 1998 offered five options, of which three got significant support:  statehood, 46.5%; independence, 2.5%; "none of the above," 50.3%.  "None of the above" was supported by the party that supports continuation of the present commonwealth status and was widely interpreted as a vote for the status quo.
Joe McMillan, 24 March 2003

Shade of Blue in PR Flags - Political Aspect

I am from the beautifull island of Puerto Rico. To make the story short, Our flag is based exactly on the flag of Cuba, only difference change the color of  the triangle and the stripes to the opossite. Being the Cuban flag  with light Blue Stripes and Red Triangle our flag should be light blue Triangle and red stripes. Also your display of the Cuban flag is wrong, their flag is Light Blue and you can verfy that anywhere.
The problem of different color for my flag resides in History and how it can be manipulated by political forces.  When my country got invaded by US forces, the posesion of a Puertorican Flag was a crime punished by death and prison. We had a military based govermenth till 1952, when we elected or First Governor Hon. Luis Munoz Marin and with the consent of the US goverment the "Estado Libre Asociado" Commonwealth was established. Because of an error when the ordered the Flags to be displayed in New York they used Navy Blue as the american flag instead of light blue, but thay had to be displayed!
The thing is that as you should know, ther is 3 political parties here. One seeking Statehood, Other to stay as we are, and the last one to be Independent.
The thing is that those that seek statehood, change the flags form light blue to navy blue when they get into Government. That to make it look as the American Flag. So they express that the light blue is used only by the people that seek independence (which is not true). That is only to justify their use of the navy blue, which is not valid. The official flag was and still is the one with the light blue. 
Rafael Linero Rivera, 2 July 2001

My impression is that until relatively recently, blue was blue--not just in the Puerto Rico flag but in general.  I don't believe there was anything sinister or even implicitly political in the flagmakers in the US (or in US-owned PR) using the same shades of red and blue as prescribed for the US flag.  That's standard practice for US flagmakers generally.  The different shades of blue, I believe, have only acquired political meanings relatively recently, but I can't swear to that.   As for the Cuban flag, my understanding is that the blue is rather a bright than a light blue--certainly not as dark as US or UK blue but darker than Argentine celeste.  But again, that's an impression, not a statement based on documentation or certain knowledge.
Joe McMillan, 2 July 2001

It is interesting to read the article, weather is has some ground or not. It has not been unknown that similar "small" distinctions, quite unimportant and neglectable to a casual observer, are give large political significance (weather true or alleged). Blue shade of a field is especially well suitable for such purpose, since often, blue is not exactly defined by legislation, but the different shades of blue used are very easily differentiated. However, I for one would be very careful about this claims, as they sound very close to "urban legend". There is a number of such "legends" about more or less every flag. On the other hand, it may well happen that various political streams that all claim right to one and the same symbol do find small and substantially unimportant (or historically undifferentiated) element that may serve as identification to those "initiated". Weather this is done in purpose and systematically, or if it is only a practice observed on preferences of large number of users, it is not quite important. I suspect that it may well be the case with the shades of blue of Puerto Rico.
Zeljko Heimer, 2 July 2001

Much of this may be urban legend. I have heard it reported that those who favor independence favor (and perhaps display) light blue, those who favor "Commonwealth" (present) status favor a medium ("royal"?) blue, and those who favor statehood favor a dark ("navy" or "old glory") blue. True?
As for the Cuban flag, I have seen many in South Florida and one on a Cuban freighter in Toronto harbor. The one on the freighter used a dark blue. The ones I've seen here use a medium to medium-dark shade. Never have I seen a Cuban flag in light blue, if what is meant is a shade anywhere in the range of Argentina's very light blue to Britains's RAF Ensign to Sweden's at the darker end (which is still lighter than "medium" or "royal".). So Mr Linero may need some straightening out here.
As for the politically charged nature of this, I don't think anyone here is about to take a stand one way or another on PR's legal status.
Al Kirsch, 3 July 2001

I reside in Puerto Rico and I can tell you that the only flags displayed in commercial and government buildings are the navy blue and royal blue varieties. I suspect royal blue can be called the "official" one as it predominates in government buildings. Sky blue variants have been very limited to independence groups, which comprise about 5% of the population. I have to add that this has become a charged issue during the past weeks as PR as undergone was is called as the "War of Flags" between various political groups. Indepence groups have been planting sky blue PR flags near US military installations, while pro- statehooders have been showering the roads and streets with US and either dark or royal blue PR flags.
Rafael Linero Rivera, 6 August 2001

In 1995, during the pro-statehood government of Gov. Rossello', the royal or medium blue flag was made the official flag of PR, replacing the Navy blue one. The Navy blue flag was adopted in 1953 by the Commonwealth government of Gov. Mu?oz Mar?n to match Old Glory as both flags were officially flown together for the first time since the USA occupation of 1898. It is ironic that a pro-statehood government chose the same flag that was previously ban for generations by both countries as a symbol of rebellion and independence. The sky-blue flag, has never been recognized as an official flag. But, it is true that it has been used recently by pro-independence sympathizers. It was made that way to make it as far likely as possible to the USA flag. Two very big flags has been posted at Vieques and Cayey.
The blue color of the Cuban flag was never intended to be sky-blue. It is not in the CoA. Neither it was to be Navy blue. It is a medium to medium-dark blue. So, when people say that the PR flag was inspired by the Cuban flag, only the colors reversed, they are really referring to the now official royal blue version, not the sky-blue flag. But this issue is very controversial in PR, and the faded one theory of both the Cuban and PR flags has many sympathizers here, due in part to our present political situation and the confrontation with the US Navy.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 6 August 2001

The blue on the Cuban flag is a medium blue, a lighter blue than the US flag.  The flag of Purto Rico is derived from the Cuban flag by switching the red with the blue.  Therefore the blue on the Puerto Rican flag is also medium blue.  Or it would be, except for politics and circumstance.
The Puerto Rican flag was officially considered seditious for half a century.  Then in 1952 it became the official flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.  Dyes fade in the sun, so the US government makes new flags dark.  The initial run of new Puerto Rican flags used the same "Old Glory" blue as found in the US flag.  I don't think there was any political statement intended.  In vexillology, the usual rule is that shades don't matter (again, because flags fade).
But some people have made the shade of blue a political issue, and at some point the Puerto Rican government officially stated that the triangle on the Puerto Rican flag is medium blue. 
Randall Bart, 2 July 2003

Civil Action Party


from <home.coqui.net>

Partido Accio'n Civil (Civil Action Party):
The portrayed tree is known as a "flamboya'n" or royal poinciana (Delonix regia). Its bloom is bright orange. According to the site, "our emblem [badge] is a royal poinciana in bloom, for it symbolizes an improved environment and thus shall we reforest our society..."
J. Vaquer Jr., 4 March 1999

Independence Party


by Phil Nelson , 24 January 2000
based on image from <www.pip.org.pr>

Last night I saw on the news another attempt for a referendum on statehood or independence (or maintain status quo) will be held in Puerto Rico this year. In the news clip there was a flag-frenzy of US flags, Puerto Rican flags, and at some (to me) UFE's. There were so many flags, it was tough to distinguish, but I think that one of the UFE's is: Green, white cross, as in St. George's cross (I'm pretty sure of this one)
Rob Raeside, 5 March 1998

Green & white is the flag of the Independence Party
Anna Stone Jimanez, 31 October 1998

Could any of you do me the favor of explaining the origin and meaning of the flag of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP): vert a Scandinavian cross argent? It appears in FLAGS THROUGH THE AGES in one of the pages dedicated to symbols of political parties, but regrettably no commentary is included.
Juan Morales, 25 Febuary 1999

Pending more information directly from the Puerto Rican Independence Party <www.pip.org.pr> :
The green background aludes to the island of Puerto Rico, reflecting the field tincture of the national CoA granted by Spain on November 8, 1511. It has also been identified with patriotic hopes. The white cross honors the Christian democratic roots of the party at its inception in 1946.
The layout honors the Rebel Flag of Lares an inland town wherein an unsuccessful rebellion was prematurely staged against the Spanih government in September 23, 1868. The Lares flag, intended to become the national flag of the Republic, was designed by Dr. Ramon Emeterio Betances and embroidered by Mrs. Mariana "Golden Arm" Bracetti. This layout in turn honors their liaison to the Antillean Confederacy and nationalist forces in the Dominican Republic, where Dr. Betances had been exiled to. Although in 1971 (?) the Puerto Rican Indenpedence Party adopted democratic socialism as the cornerstone of its platform, the party emblem was created decades before this political redefinition. The flag's layout is not purposefully related Scandinavian vexillology, despite the party chairman's political and former matrimonial links to Sweden. Albeit the official flag bears no charges, other versions of the flag have charged it with:
- a right fist holding a rose, all ppr, the symbol of the Socialist International
- the party's motto: "Independencia, Socialismo, Democracia" (Independence, Socialism, Democracy) in black
- the national coat of arms of Puerto Rico
- the national seal of Puerto Rico
- the head of the Statue of Liberty (in New York) bearing a flag of Puerto Rico across its forehead
- images of four Nationalist Party revolutionaries held in US federal prisons for a deadly shootout staged at the American capitol in 1954
- images of the pantheon of Puerto Rican independence heroes
- a map of Puerto Rico
- the coqui' (Eleutherodactylus portorricensis), a native tree frog, usually depicted green or tan
- other slogans and charges incidental to specific celebrations and activities
Juan Vaquer Jr, 26 Febuary 1999

Popular Democratic Party (The "Commonwealth" party)

1)
by Antonio Martins, 21 September 1999

2)
by Antonio Martins, 21 September 1999

Last night I saw on the news another attempt for a referendum on statehood or independence (or maintain status quo) will be held in Puerto Rico this year. In the news clip there was a flag-frenzy of US flags, Puerto Rican flags, and at some (to me) UFE's. There were so many flags, it was tough to distinguish, but I think that one of the UFE's is: Current Puerto Rican flag, but replace star with a cowboy hat (reliable viewing).
Rob Raeside, 5 March 1998

Red "jibaro" (country-dweller) on white (if someone has used the PR flag and replaced the star with a "cowboy hat" [the "pava" is a wide-brimmed woven straw hat which used to be commonly used by field workers] I haven't seen it, but I could believe that it has been done.) - Commonwealth party.
Anna Stone Jimanez, 31 October 1998


from <www.pava.net>

The Partido Popular Democratico (popular democratic party) flag is on
this web site: <www.pava.net> . It is the" jibaro" (puertorrican field worker) face and the" pava "(straw hat) in red. -
j. lopez rodriguez , 6 December 1998

Is this the flag or just the party's symbol?! I don't expect to find this kind of shadow in a flag...
From the info provided, my educated guess is that the flag would be this symbol (without shadow) on a white field. I say that it is just a web graphic of the simbol.
Jorge Candeias, 9 December 1998

In the Israeli newspaper "Yediot Akhronot" of today there is a picture from PR showing people waving flags of PAVA. They are easy to recognize because of the logo that was posted here few days ago. (and it is a logo since now I saw the flag).
The flag is of 2:3 white bedsheet. in its center the logo (silouette of a man with an hat) in red. (the colors are just the oposite to the colors of the logo which were white silouette on red). around the lower half of the logo there is an inscription in half circle. that says "PAN-TIERRA-LIBERTAD " or something like that. In each of the corners of the bedsheet there is a small variant of the central logo, including the inscription, also in red.
Dov Gutterman , 15 December 1998

I asked one of my best friends, Nestor Rodriguez, for a translation and explanation of the pava.net page. No specific information on flags, but some interesting background which might help us in further research.
'OK, this looks like a web page for the "Partido Popular Democratico" (Popular Democratic Party), one of the two major political parties in PR. This one's for the ELA, or "Estado Libre Asociado" (Associated Free State), which is the current position that the island has in US politics. As you can see, the symbol for the party is a profile of a man wearing a straw hat, or "pava". Thus the name of the page.
Steve Kramer , 15 December 1998

The flag for the Popular Democratic Party is missing the party motto "Pan Tierra Libertad".  These words are written in a semicircle (I believe) in the lower half arounf the jibaro figure.
The one that looks like the Puerto Rican flag is an aberration of the official flag . It is not an official party flag because it would be prohibited by the law that adopted the official flag.
Luis E. Rodriguez , 2 April 2000

New Progressive Party (The "Statehood" party)


by Victor Quinones , 12 Febuary 2000

blue palm tree on white - Statehood party.
Anna Stone Jimanez, 31 October 1998

The opposing party's (for statehood) symbol is the outline of a palm tree on a blue background. The party's initials are PNP, ("Partido Nuevo Popular"?). Therefore, PPD is the party of the "pava" and PNP is the part of the "palma".
Steve Kramer, 15 December 1998

The New Progressive Pary is currently the governing party in Puerto Rico while the PDP and the Independence Party are the opossition. The spanish translation of the NPP is "Partido Nuevo Progresista" not Partido Nuevo Popular. The flag of the NPP is white with the NPP blue logo in the center. The party motto is "Estadidad, Seguridad, Progreso" or "Statehood, Security, Progress".
Victor Quinones , 12 Febuary 2000

Use of USA Flag with 51 Stars


by Andy Weir, 11 January 2001

51 star version of the United States flag commonly used by the Puertorican statehood movement, . I dont know who designed it, but it has been popular among statehood supporters in the island for as long as Ican remember.
Victor Quinones, 20 September 2000

Nationalist Party


by Carlos Torres, 22 January 2003

The PR flag was forbidden in the island from 1898 until 1952, but was flown in defiance by the black-shirted Cadet Corps of the Puerto Rico Nationalist Party. They also had a Cadet Corps' flag all in black with a white Jerusalem Cross in the middle.  The best description of the cross would be a clockwise and a counterclockwise swastika superimposed, leaving a cross made of four "T" shapes joined at the long arm.  The Nationalists went down fighting the Commonwealth's National Guard and Police in 1950, but recently, I've seen honor guards of the PR pro-independence parties wearing the Cadets' black cap/shirt/tie and white trousers uniform, and carrying the Jerusalem Cross flag together with the PR flag. 
Esteban Jimenez, 3 November 2000

The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party of New York (El Partido Nationalista de Puerto Rico, Junta de Nueva York):
Our Cross - The flag of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party (PNPR) bears the organism's insignia. This is composed of a black background with a white cross known as the Cross Potent or Potent Cross in the center. The black color on the background of the Nationalist flag symbolizes the mourning of the Puerto Rican Nation in colonial captivity.
Crux Potent - The cross in itself, is an ancient symbol, utilized forever in all religions and by all nations and it would be a mistake to consider it an exclusive emblem of any particular religion. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived at the sacred land of the Aztecs the found the cross on their altars.
The cross with equal extremes or arms, also known as the Greek Cross, is an ancient symbol, possibly the most ancient of the symbols. The cross is found in every culture, even outside of the Christian conception. It is found in all parts of the world, in prehistoric caves and engraved on rocks. In the symbol of the cross, God and Earth, Father and Mother are combined in harmony. The vertical beam of the cross, stands for the heavenly or spiritual, whereas the horizontal beam represents the material plane of existence.
The intersection of the vertical phalus within the formal uterus form the cross. The cross of initiation is phalic, the insertion of the vertical phalus into the feminine ecteis forms the cross. It is the cross of initiation, which we must carry over our shoulders. With the fourth Arcana of the Tarot, the Being throws over its shoulders the cross of initiation.
The cross has four ends. We understand that each tip is representative of the four cardinal points of the earth: North, South, East and West. They also represent the Age stages: Gold, Silver, Copper, and Iron. The four seasons: Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall. The four faces of the moon: New, Crescent, Half and Full. The four elements: Air, Water, Land and Fire. The four paths: Science, Philosophy, Art and Religion. As we talk about the four paths we must understand that they are all just one. This path is the narrow path of the edge of the blade, the road of the revolution of the conscience.
We understand that by making an effort to give meaning to figures and symbols, is how the spirit manages to elevate to the profound and fundamental conceptions of human intelligence. In this way, the spirit elevates with total independence, free, without anything being dictated to it.
Our symbol and our flag are based on these principles. The Cross Potent was used in seventeenth century alchemy as a sign for the crucible, the pot in which for instance, metals are melted, a melting pot.  The cross is the most ancient symbol of the crucible, which was called , cruzel, crucible or croiset in French. In Latin, crucibulum, the root word crucible means crux, cruces, or cross. It is evident that all this is an invitation to reflection. It is in the crucible that the primal mater of the great work suffers with great patience the passion of the Christ. It is in the erotic crucible of sexuality, which the Ego dies and the phoenix is re-born out from its own ashes. INRI, "In Necis Renascor Integer". "In death be reborn intact and pure."
The Cross Potent has arms with extremities which end in "T" (taus). The cross-strokes at the ends of its extremities are often said to represent the vault of the heavens. Crosses are often associated with sky or sun gods. The Cross Potent was such a symbol in ancient Mesopotamia. This cross is also called the Windlass, a term linked with it in the Middle Ages, and representing the four positions of the sun and the four directions of the wind. 
The Cross Potent has a peculiar symmetry; its four T's expand into the cosmos. Symbolizing a point of encounter between the celestial and the terrestrial worlds. Therefore, a mid point between both "the center of the world". It is also symbol of the tool and work of the celestial blacksmith, the Demiurge, the universal soul and the work that forms destiny.
The four T's united at a point symbolize the soul, obtained from the influence of the matter, through work and self-sacrifice and elevated and separated from it, glorified and confirmed in it's celestial vision and finally re-centered in the matter, but now in perfect equilibrium; which speaks of the regeneration of a new life. It also symbolizes the universal dissolving agent, "primordial matter" of things, in which everything can be fused together again.
"All of nature, all productions and all the creatures are linked, and will be dissolved again in their own root, for the nature of matter dissolves in what belongs only to its nature. Those who have ears to hear, listen." - The Gospel According to Thomas
The Cross Potent is also associated with the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. Jesus Christ was actually crucified on a tau, which was composed of two wooden beams in the shape of a "T", and not on an actual cross. The Potent Cross can be seen as four taus, directed towards the four cardinal points or four directions of the winds (north, south, east and west) to symbolize the universality of the Christ.
Carlos Torres, Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico, 22 January 2003