Dominica Flag - Commonwealth of

The flag of the Commonwealth of Dominica was adopted on November 3, 1978 upon nation status being granted by Great Britain. The flag as adopted consisted of a parrot green field with a tri-colour band of yellow, white and black dividing the centre of the field both horozontally and vertically. Yellow was both the top colour and the left-most colour of the bands. In the centre field where the bands crossed, was a large red circle with a Sisserou Parrot perched and facing away from the hoist. Around the parrot were 10 lime green stars.

In 1981, the colours of the bands were re-ordered to yellow black and white and a yellow outline border was added to each star. In 1988, the parrot was reversed so that it now faced hoist. The last change was made in 1990, when the colour of the stars was darkened to matchth field and the outline on the stars was changed to black.

The Siserou parrot is Dominica's national bird. It is intended to inspire achievement of one’s highest goals. The stars symbolise both the island’s ten parishes and the hope and equality they deliver. The tri-band forms a cross commemorating Dominica’s Christian faith and symbolising the Father, Son and Holy Spirit together as the Holy Trinity. The colours of the flag represent Dominica’s heritage: green, for a rich landscape, red, for social justice, yellow, the Caribbean sunshine, black, their rich African ancestry, and White, purity and the water.