Flag of Aruba

Aruba's national flag (.

The design elements have multiple symbolic meanings:

* The blue field represents the sky, the sea, peace, hope, Aruba's future and its ties to the past.
* The two narrow stripes "suggest the movement toward "status aparte". One represents "the flow of tourists to sun-drenched Aruba, enriching the island as well as vacationers", the other "industry, all the minerals (gold and phosphates in the past, petroleum in the early 20th century)". [http://encyclopedia.caribseek.com/Caribbean_Flags/aruba-flag-background.shtml] In addition to sun, gold, and abundance, the yellow is also said to represent "wanglo" flowers.
* The star has particularly complex symbolism.
**It is vexillologically unusual in having four points, representing the four cardinal directions. These refer in turn to the many countries of origin of the people of Aruba. They also represent the four main languages of Aruba: Papiamento, Spanish, English, and Dutch.
**The star also represents the island itself: a land of often red soil bordered by white beaches in a blue sea.
**The red also represents blood shed by Arubans during war, past Indian inhabitants, patriotic love, and Brazil wood.
**The white also represents purity and honesty.

March 18 is a public holiday in Aruba, known as Flag Day and it is celebrated through carnivals and fairs.

External links

* [http://www.aruba.com/pages/flag.htm Aruban Flag] on government website [http://www.aruba.com www.aruba.com]
* [http://www.arubaplaza.com/about/aruba_about_aua_flag.php Details on Aruban Flag] on Arubaplaza.com
* [http://www.visitaruba.com/facts/general/sarah_bollinger.html How Aruba's Flag Was Chosen] by Sarah Bollinger
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