Page 11 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Tuesday 12 March 2024

The Aruban flag: Our pride, our identity

of designs were submit- nection to the ocean. The the origins of the Aruban
ted. The Flag Commission, two yellow stripes represent community; a melting pot
which consisted of Epi our distinct status within of different cultures and
Wever, Julio Maduro and the Dutch Kingdom—back identities from other parts
Roland Donk were left in then a first within the west of the Caribbean, Europe
charge of picking the per- colonies. The yellow color and the Americas. The red
fect design. Their goal was of the stripes represents our color is symbolic of our red
to find a flag that is quite economic prosperity de- soil, and pays homage
simple, yet unique and rep- rived from tourism as well as to our indigenous ances-
resentative to the Aruban industries such as gold min- tors, whom were the first
identity. ing and production of Aloe inhabitants on the island.
Vera. The bright yellow col- The white outline of the star
The Aruban flag consists of or is also representative of symbolizes our white sandy
four different colors, each our local flora, such as the beaches, as well as peace
with its own significance. Kibrahacha, Pal’i Brazil and and the commitment to
The blue color represents Wanglo among others. strive for justice, order and
the clear blue sea sur- liberty. q
rounding us, and our con- The 4-point star symbolizes

(Oranjestad)—You may as the fight for our au-
have noticed these past tonomy within the Dutch
few days a few Aruban Kingdom. Here is a quick
flags waving in the wind overview of the symbols
while cruising around the embedded in our flag.
island. This is in connec-
tion to our National Hymn Along with the Aruban
and Flag Day, which takes national anthem, the Aru-
place next week Monday, ban flag was adopted on
March 18th. March 18th 1976. To find
the perfect design for our
Our flag is especially dear flag, the island council or-
to us, as it represents both ganized competition on
our Aruban identity as well the island where hundreds