Reunion Island Flag - French Overseas Department of

The official flag of the French Overseas Department of Reunion Island is in fact the French Tri-colour. As department of the French Republic, it is considered an integral part of France. Many designs have been introduced to the Reunionese people by organizations seeking stronger autonomy for the island. In 1990 a non-political organization called Shankara Yuva Kendra, renamed Shri Anjaneya Sabha in 1996, and called now the Association pour le Drapeau de la Réunion created what is become quickly identifiable as the unofficial flag of the Isle de la Reunion. The association created the flag not to provoke separatist sentiments but to build a strong sense of Reunionese identity within the French nation.

The flag consists of the French Tricolor along the hoist in a vertical orientation. To the left of the French flag is an aerial view of the Fournaise volcano which is the source of the island’s existence. Each of the volcano’s four sides is representative of the component communities which combine to make up the department. Blue symbolises European settlers, Christianity and the sea. Gold represents settlers from India, Hinduism and the Sun. Red commemorates immigrants from China, Asian tradition and the once hot volcano. Lastly, green are the African people, who brought to the island the Islamic faith and love of nature. The white core is each of these groups living in harmony, peace and tolerance.

Flag Measures 36 in x 60 in and is 100% polyester with grommets for easy flying.