Guadeloupe Flag
National Flag of Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe Flag Display
Quick Facts About Guadeloupe and flag of Guadeloupe
- Adopted:
- Aspect Ratio:
- 2:3
- Capital:
- Basse-Terre
- Population:
- Approximately 395,000 (2023)
Guadeloupe Flag - Description
Guadeloupe is an overseas department of France and uses the French tricolour as its official flag. However, a popular unofficial flag features a yellow sun rising above a green sugarcane silhouette set on a blue and black background, often flown at cultural events and sporting occasions.
Guadeloupe Flag – Symbolism and Meaning
The unofficial flag’s sun represents warmth, life, and new beginnings, while sugarcane symbolizes the region's historical agricultural industry. The blue background evokes the Caribbean Sea and sky; black stands for resilience and African heritage. Though not legally recognized, the flag embodies regional pride, environmental richness, and cultural identity.
Guadeloupe Flag - History and Origins
While Guadeloupe officially uses the French national flag, local artists and cultural groups introduced the unofficial regional flag in the early 2000s. Inspired by designs used by sports teams and festival organizers, it gained popularity for expressing Creole culture and regional autonomy. It is now widely used in celebrations, protests, and by community organizations, though it does not hold official legal status.
Guadeloupe Flag - Design Elements
The flag has a horizontally bisected field: blue above and black below. Centered is a radiant yellow sun with rays extending upward, nestled behind a stylized green sugarcane stalk rising from the lower field. The simple composition and bold color contrast make it easily recognizable and symbolically potent.
Guadeloupe Flag - Usage Guidelines and Protocol
Although the unofficial flag circulates widely in community settings and public events, the French tricolour remains the sole legal flag on government buildings, schools, and official ceremonies. Local regulations permit the display of the regional flag alongside the national one at sporting and cultural gatherings, but it must not be used in place of the French flag nor treated as an official emblem of state authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the colors of the Guadeloupe Flag represent?
The unofficial flag’s sun represents warmth, life, and new beginnings, while sugarcane symbolizes the region's historical agricultural industry. The blue background evokes the Caribbean Sea and sky; black stands for resilience and African heritage. Though not legally recognized, the flag embodies regional pride, environmental richness, and cultural identity.
When was the Guadeloupe Flag adopted?
The Guadeloupe flag was adopted on Official: French tricolour; Unofficial regional flag since the early 2000s, marking an important milestone in the country's development as an independent nation.
What is the aspect ratio of the Guadeloupe Flag?
The Guadeloupe flag has an aspect ratio of 2:3, which determines the proportional relationship between its width and height for official display purposes.