r/vexillology • u/danny_the_fishyboy • 1d ago
Discussion Why does Martinique have 2 flags (aside from french flag)?
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u/kreeperface 1d ago
The first one is older, and considered a choice of the local elites and its colors are associated with colonialism. The new one is supposed to better represent the people from Martinique.
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u/Birdseeding Genderqueer 1d ago
The snake flag was only official for a short period in the 18th century before the French Revolution, and is quite controversial. It hasn't been used much locally in either official or unofficial capacity, and is by many associated with the slave trade. The "L" shape of the snakes doesn't even stand for Martinique, but for St Lucia, which was taken by the British in 1814, so I fully understand why Martiniquans have little attachment to it.
Last year, the red-green-black flag was officially adapted by the assembly of Martinique. It's also a bit controversial, because it was originally the flag of the anti-colonial independence movement on the island, and has a connection to local radical movements and the Pan-African movement (80% of Martiniquans have African ancestry). I quite like it, personally, it's striking and I think the connections make sense and are well-thought-out.
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u/keithlaub 1d ago
For a bit, they used this flag in international sporting events, but I believe that they have stopped using it in favor of the new official flag.
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u/BPH_Geo LGBT Pride 1d ago
The people saying "new flag" and "old flag" are over-simplifying a bit. The rouge-vert-noir flag has been flown unofficially since the 1960's. And even though the snake flag is based on an 18th-century ensign, it only started being used (by a small minority of people) in the 2000s. So in a very real sense you could say the "new flag" is actually the older flag.
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u/SignificantAd1421 1d ago
They changed to the 2nd flag recently but lots of thing didn't changed it yet
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u/Salazard260 12h ago
The "old" one was never really used by 99% of the population since it's associated with slavery and was not even official, the "new" one is new in the sense it was made official recently but has been used as an unofficial symbol of the island for a while.
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u/Mountain_Captain5541 21h ago
!wave
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u/FlagWaverBotReborn 21h ago
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u/Freak_Out_Bazaar 15h ago
I remember when Canada lost to Snake Quebec in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying
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u/chuckmeawayoneday 5h ago
The first one (snake flag) is strongly disliked by most locals, as it's seen as a symbol of colonialism. I've never seen this new flag design before but I'd guess the design is more inspired by African flags and is meant to better represent the current people on the island.
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u/Analternate1234 20h ago edited 20h ago
It’s unfortunate that a cool flag is gone but it’s completely understandable. That flag stood for slavery and colonialism. It was the right move to get rid of it.
So many cool flags unfortunately have bad symbolism behind them and deservedly need to be replaced
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u/Salazard260 12h ago
Buddy the sake flag was never used to beginning with, the "new" flag is new is the sende that the local council officially adopted it recently, but it has been flown since the 60s.
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u/MNV02 1d ago
Here's a fusion. Thanks to the power of screenshot.
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u/Adam-Voight 1d ago
If the new South Africa were better it would be the destination for migrants, as it was before.
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u/bongingnaut African Union 1d ago
First one is the old one, second is the new