Cuba vs Puerto Rico Flag
Cuba and Puerto Rico's flags are mirror images with swapped colors. Cuba has blue stripes and a red triangle, while Puerto Rico has red stripes and a blue triangle. Both feature a white star inside the triangle. This isn't coincidence — both flags were designed by revolutionaries fighting for independence from Spain, and one was deliberately designed as the inverse of the other.
Key Differences
- Cuba has three blue stripes and two white stripes with a red triangle; Puerto Rico has three red stripes and two white stripes with a blue triangle.
- The shade of blue differs: Cuba uses a lighter blue, Puerto Rico traditionally uses a darker blue (though a lighter sky blue variant is also popular).
- Cuba's flag was designed in 1849; Puerto Rico's in 1895.
- Cuba became independent; Puerto Rico remains a US territory.
Similarities
- Both have five alternating stripes (3 colored, 2 white).
- Both have an equilateral triangle on the hoist side.
- Both feature a single white five-pointed star inside the triangle.
- Both were designed by Cuban/Puerto Rican independence revolutionaries.
Why Do Cuba and Puerto Rico Flags Look So Similar?
Puerto Rico's flag was intentionally designed as the color-inverse of Cuba's flag. In 1895, the Puerto Rican section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party adopted the inverted design to symbolize the fraternal bonds between the two islands in their shared struggle against Spanish colonialism. Cuba's flag had been designed by Narciso López in 1849 for a planned liberation of Cuba. When Puerto Rican revolutionaries designed their flag, they swapped the colors to represent Puerto Rico as Cuba's 'sister island' in the independence movement.
History of the Cuban Flag
Cuba's flag was designed in 1849 by Narciso López, a Venezuelan-born revolutionary, and his associates in New York. The three blue stripes represent the three departments Cuba was divided into; the two white stripes represent the purity of the independence cause; the red triangle represents the blood shed for freedom; and the white star represents independence. It was first flown during López's failed invasion of Cuba in 1850 and became the official flag after independence in 1902.
History of the Puerto Rican Flag
Puerto Rico's flag was designed in 1895 by a group of independence advocates at the Puerto Rican section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party in New York. The design deliberately inverted Cuba's flag colors to symbolize brotherhood between the two Caribbean islands fighting for independence from Spain. Though Puerto Rico became a US territory in 1898, the flag remained a symbol of Puerto Rican identity. It was officially adopted as Puerto Rico's flag in 1952.
Color Comparison
Cuba Flag Colors
Puerto Rico Flag Colors
Fun Facts
- Puerto Rico's flag was illegal to display under US rule from 1898 to 1952 — displaying it could result in imprisonment.
- Both flags were designed in New York City by Caribbean revolutionaries living in exile.
- The popular sky-blue variant of Puerto Rico's flag gained prominence after 2019 protests and is sometimes called the 'resistance flag.'
- Cuba and Puerto Rico are sometimes called 'two wings of the same bird' — a phrase by poet Lola Rodríguez de Tió, reflecting their shared independence struggle.
- Texas's Lone Star flag also features a single star on a tricolor — but with a vertical design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Cuba and Puerto Rico flags look alike?
Puerto Rico's flag was intentionally designed as the color-inverse of Cuba's flag. In 1895, the Puerto Rican section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party adopted the inverted design to symbolize the fraternal bonds between the two islands in their shared struggle against Spanish colonialism. Cuba's flag had been designed by Narciso López in 1849 for a planned liberation of Cuba. When Puerto Rican revolutionaries designed their flag, they swapped the colors to represent Puerto Rico as Cuba's 'sister island' in the independence movement.
What is the difference between the Cuba and Puerto Rico flag?
- Cuba has three blue stripes and two white stripes with a red triangle; Puerto Rico has three red stripes and two white stripes with a blue triangle.
- The shade of blue differs: Cuba uses a lighter blue, Puerto Rico traditionally uses a darker blue (though a lighter sky blue variant is also popular).
- Cuba's flag was designed in 1849; Puerto Rico's in 1895.
- Cuba became independent; Puerto Rico remains a US territory.
Are the Cuba and Puerto Rico flags the same?
No, while they look very similar, the flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico have distinct differences. Cuba has three blue stripes and two white stripes with a red triangle; Puerto Rico has three red stripes and two white stripes with a blue triangle.
Can You Tell Them Apart?
Test your flag knowledge with our interactive quiz!
Play Flag Quiz →Other Similar Flags
Chad vs Romania
Chad and Romania have nearly identical flags — both feature blue, yellow, and red vertical stripes. Discover the differences, history, and why they look so alike.
Ireland vs Côte d'Ivoire
Ireland and Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) flags both feature green, white, and orange vertical stripes — but reversed. Learn the differences and history.
Colombia vs Ecuador
Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela flags all share yellow-blue-red stripes from Gran Colombia. Compare their differences, shared history, and symbolism.