Flag of Martinique#Snake flag

Prior to 2023, Martinique did not have its own official flag. In 2018, the local council held a competition to create a flag and anthem for the island, but two and a half years following the presentation of the winners, the flag and anthem were annulled by the local administrative tribunal, as the method of their selection was not deemed within the responsibilities of the council. In 2022, the island began a public vote on an official flag and anthem, which shared the same ties to the motherland of Africa.{{Cite web |title=Drapeau et hymne : la deuxième phase du vote est en cours |url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/martinique/drapeau-et-hymne-la-deuxieme-phase-du-vote-est-en-cours-1355558.html |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=Martinique la 1ère |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-04 |title=Cyberattack halts Martinique's search for new flag, hymn |url=https://apnews.com/article/technology-crime-cybercrime-caribbean-martinique-2f1a6094bcd0da58b471a3a26877cc22 |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} However, turnout for the first phase, which narrowed the choices down to two options, was very low, with only 19,084 voting for a flag and 9,294 for the anthem out of an eligible population of around 300,000.{{Cite web |last=Rafe |first=Juliette |date=2023-01-12 |title=En Martinique, le vote pour le nouveau drapeau se poursuit dans la contestation générale |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/martinique-972/en-martinique-le-vote-pour-le-nouveau-drapeau-se-poursuit-dans-la-contestation-generale-12-01-2023-QL4Q3SDTAJGGXCXI65CRHJ33S4.php |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=Le Parisien |language=fr-FR}} The winners, announced 16 January 2023,{{Cite web |date=17 January 2023 |title=La Martinique a un nouveau drapeau, voici sa signification |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/france/article/la-martinique-a-un-nouveau-drapeau-voici-sa-signification_212857.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20230117230054/https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/france/article/la-martinique-a-un-nouveau-drapeau-voici-sa-signification_212857.html |archive-date=17 January 2023 |access-date=24 January 2023 |website=huffingtonpost.fr |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=La Martinique a son nouveau drapeau et son hymne |url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/martinique/la-martinique-a-son-nouveau-drapeau-et-son-hymne-1357790.html |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Martinique la 1ère |language=fr-FR}} were the hummingbird design for the flag and "Ansanm" for the anthem, representing 72.84% and 53.76% of votes cast, respectively.{{Cite web |title=Le drapeau au colibri et l'hymne Ansanm, nouveaux emblèmes de la Martinique |url=https://viaatv.tv/le-drapeau-au-colibri-et-lhymne-ansanm-nouveaux-emblemes-de-la-martinique/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=viàATV |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Martinique : Le drapeau au colibri et l'hymne " Ansanm " choisis par les internautes |url=https://outremers360.com/bassin-atlantique-appli/martinique-le-drapeau-au-colibri-et-lhymne-ansanm-choisis-par-les-internautes |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Outremers360° |language=fr}} During the second round of voting, turnout remained relatively low, with a total of 26,633 votes cast for a flag, and 10,289 votes cast for an anthem.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-16 |title=Drapeau et Hymne de la Martinique : la population a choisi ! |url=https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq/le-drapeau-et-lhymne-representant-la-martinique-sont-connus/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117215319/https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq/le-drapeau-et-lhymne-representant-la-martinique-sont-connus/ |archive-date=17 January 2023 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique |language=fr}}

After the winning flag was announced, a controversy arose over the design of a hummingbird on the flag appearing to be identical in shape to one present on the Shutterstock website.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-23 |title=Drapeau de la Martinique : la créatrice de l'étendard au colibri s'exprime après la polémique |url=https://viaatv.tv/drapeau-de-la-martinique-la-creatrice-de-letendard-au-colibri-sexprime-apres-la-polemique/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=viàATV |language=fr}}{{Cite web |last=Wahu |first=Corentin |date=2023-01-20 |title=Pourquoi le nouveau drapeau martiniquais crée la polémique ? |url=https://www.midilibre.fr/2023/01/20/pourquoi-le-nouveau-drapeau-martiniquais-cree-la-polemique-10939731.php |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=midilibre.fr |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=Flying Colibri Logo Business Education Natural Stock Vector (Royalty Free) 712172716 |url=https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/flying-colibri-logo-business-education-natural-712172716 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116210754/https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/flying-colibri-logo-business-education-natural-712172716 |archive-date=2023-01-16 |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Shutterstock |language=en}} The designer, Anaïs Delwaulle, initially defended her use of the stock image and her design in general, but on 23 January announced that she wanted her design withdrawn from the process. The president of the Executive Council accepted this withdrawal, and explained that as a result, the runner-up – the nationalist flag – would be submitted to the Assembly for consideration on 2–3 February.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-24 |title=Victime de cyberharcèlement, la créatrice du drapeau au colibri, jette l'éponge |url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/martinique/victime-de-ciberharcelement-la-creatrice-du-drapeau-au-colibri-jette-l-eponge-1359942.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=franceinfo |language=fr}} The runner-up design was eventually adopted on 2 February, with 44 votes in favour and one abstention.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-02 |title=Le drapeau Rouge Vert Noir adopté par l'Assemblée de Martinique |url=https://www.martinique.franceantilles.fr/actualite/societe/le-drapeau-rouge-vert-noir-adopte-par-lassemblee-de-martinique-922149.php |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=martinique.franceantilles.fr |language=fr-FR}}

File:Sainte-anne-drapeau.JPG

The {{lang|fr|rouge-vert-noir}} ("red-green-black") flag, or "nationalist flag" is the preferred symbol of Martinican independence activists. It was designed by Guy Cabort-Masson and Alex Ferdinand in 1968 and secretly transferred to Martinique in 1971.{{Cite web|title=Mouvement des Démocrates et des Écologistes pour une Martinique Indépendante|url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/mq}modem.html|access-date=27 November 2021|website=Flags Of The World (FOTW)}}

The colours of this flag are also found on the pan-African diaspora flag, designed in 1920 meaning:

{{blockquote|Red is the color of the blood which men must shed for their redemption and liberty; black is the color of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong; green is the color of the luxuriant vegetation of our Motherland.
—Universal Negro Catechism (1921){{cite book|last1=Mcguire|first1=George|title=Universal Negro catechism: a course of instruction in religious and historical knowledge pertaining to the race.|date=1921|publisher=Universal Negro Improvement Association|location=New York|page=34|hdl=2027/emu.010000685445}}}}

The original proposed design of a flag for Martinique by Victor Lessort was a red, gold, green tricolor of vertical bands similar to the flag of France. These are the pan-African colours popularized by the flag of Ghana. But, a fellow imprisoned OJAM defendant, Rodolphe Desiré, suggested that Lessort substitute black for gold. In an interview, Desiré confirmed that the inspiration for the flag's red, black, green color scheme was Marcus Garvey's pan-African flag of UNIA.{{cite web |title=L'action des forces politiques |url=http://www.rougevertnoir.org/listwa-pou-jòdijou-eléments-historiques-et-questions-actuelles/émergence-du-rouge-vert-noir/l-action-des-forces-politiques/ |website=Rouge Vert Noir |access-date=21 July 2024}}

In 1995, it was controversially raised in the town of Sainte-Anne by nationalist mayor Garcin Malsa. The flag was included as one of the options taken to public vote in 2023, along with many other designs using colours derived from this flag, reaching the last round of voting and ultimately second place.{{Cite web |last=à 10h04 |first=Par Juliette Rafe Le 12 janvier 2023 |date=2023-01-12 |title=En Martinique, le vote pour le nouveau drapeau se poursuit dans la contestation générale |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/martinique-972/en-martinique-le-vote-pour-le-nouveau-drapeau-se-poursuit-dans-la-contestation-generale-12-01-2023-QL4Q3SDTAJGGXCXI65CRHJ33S4.php |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}} However, as the winner withdrew after the results were announced, and it was one of the final two options voted on in the last round of voting, the flag was considered for adoption by the Assembly on 2 February 2023, and was adopted with 44 votes in favour and one abstention.{{clear|left}}

File:Emblem of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique.png

On 1 August 2016, a design competition for the Territorial Collectivity's logo was opened to all people of age living in Martinique. Out of 647 eligible proposals, a design by 22-year-old graphic artist Stévy Desbonnes was selected. The logo features a hummingbird whose wings form a stylized map of Martinique. The colour ochre represents the local soil and blue represents the ocean.

In late 2016, the local government flag was created, consisting of the new logo on a white background.{{Cite web|title=Concours OECS "30 under 30" les lauréats pour la Martinique|url=https://twitter.com/CTM_Martinique/status/892045826297671680|website=Twitter}}{{clear|left}}

File:Flag of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique.svg

In 2018, the local council launched a competition to create a flag to represent Martinique at international sporting and cultural events. The anthem {{lang|fr|Lorizon}} (by Rosetta Varasse) and the flag {{lang|fr|Ipséité}} ("Selfhood") were chosen by the president of the Martinique Executive Council, Alfred Marie-Jeanne. They were officially presented on 10 May 2019.{{cite web |title=Martinique now has a territorial hymn and flag for sports, cultural and international events |url=https://pressroom.oecs.org/martinique-now-has-a-territorial-hymn-and-flag-for-sports-cultural-and-international-events |publisher=Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States |access-date=30 July 2021 |language=en}} On 15 November 2021, the flag and anthem were annulled by the local administrative tribunal, as the method of their selection were not deemed within the responsibilities of the Executive Council. It is still seen as a cultural symbol.{{cite web |title=La justice annule l'utilisation du drapeau et de l'hymne choisis en 2019 par la CTM |url=https://www.rci.fm/martinique/infos/Justice/La-justice-annule-lutilisation-du-drapeau-et-de-lhymne-choisis-en-2019-par-la-CTM# |website=RCI |access-date=27 November 2021}}

The flag, designed by Johnny Vigne, depicts a lambi, an emblematic shell of the Antilles whose conch is used as a traditional musical instrument. Around it, 34 Amerindian stars symbolize the 34 municipalities of Martinique and eight segments evoke eight of the different languages spoken on the island: French, Creole, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese and Arabic. The colour blue refers to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while green recalls the steep hills and nature of the territory.{{cite web |title=The flags and hymns submitted to the vote of Martinicans have been unveiled |url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/martinique/drapeaux-hymnes-soumis-au-vote-martiniquais-ont-ete-devoiles-698508.html |website=la1ere.francetvinfo.fr |access-date=14 October 2020}}

The flag was first flown in June 2019 by Martinique's national football team during their participation at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.{{cite web |title=The Martininos fly to the Gold Cup |url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/martinique/matinino-s-envolent-gold-cup-718510.html |website=La 1ere |access-date=14 October 2020}} In 2021, an administrative court annulled the usage of the flag.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-15 |title=La justice annule l'utilisation du drapeau et de l'hymne choisis en 2019 par la CTM |url=https://www.rci.fm/martinique/infos/Justice/La-justice-annule-lutilisation-du-drapeau-et-de-lhymne-choisis-en-2019-par-la-CTM |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=RCI |language=fr-MQ}}{{clear|left}}

File:Snake Flag of Martinique.svg

The "snake flag" ({{lang|fr|drapeau aux serpents}}) features a white cross on a blue field with a white {{lang|fr|fer-de-lance|italic=no}} viper (Bothrops lanceolatus), a snake species endemic to the island, in each corner. The symbol dates from an edict issued 4 August 1766, specifying that vessels of the French colony of Martinique and Saint Lucia should fly a version of the French ensign—which at the time was a white cross on a blue field—with L-shaped (for Lucia) snakes in each quarter of the cross. The same design was used for the lesser coat of arms.{{cite web |url=https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/mq-snake.html |title=Martinique (Territorial Collectivity, France) "snake flag" |access-date=July 14, 2023 |last= |first= |date= |work=Flags of the World (FOTW) |publisher= |location= |language= |quote= }}

In September 2018, Jean-Philippe Nilor, a Martinican member of the National Assembly, demanded its withdrawal from public use, arguing that it was associated with the slave trade.{{cite web |last=Violton |first=Maurice |date=18 September 2018 |title=Le député Nilor veut le retrait de l'emblème aux 4 serpents qui symbolise la Martinique |trans-title=The deputy Nilor wants the withdrawal of the emblem with four snakes which symbolizes Martinique |url=https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/martinique/depute-nilor-veut-retrait-embleme-aux-4-serpents-qui-symbolise-martinique-629086.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015094438/la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/martinique/depute-nilor-veut-retrait-embleme-aux-4-serpents-qui-symbolise-martinique-629086.html |archive-date=15 October 2020 |access-date=14 October 2020 |website=La 1ère |lang=fr}} In October 2018, the National Gendarmerie stopped using the emblem by order of President Emmanuel Macron.{{cite web |title=Sur ordre du Président, la gendarmerie en Martinique ne portera plus l’emblème aux 4 serpents ! |trans-title=By order of the President, the gendarmerie in Martinique will no longer wear the emblem with the 4 snakes! |url=https://www.makacla.com/Sur-ordre-du-President-la-gendarmerie-en-Martinique-ne-portera-plus-l-embleme-aux-4-serpents-_a5946.html |website=Makacla |access-date=14 October 2020 |lang=fr |first=Victor |last=Hauteville |date=15 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014182610/www.makacla.com/Sur-ordre-du-President-la-gendarmerie-en-Martinique-ne-portera-plus-l-embleme-aux-4-serpents-_a5946.html |archive-date=14 October 2020 |url-status=live }} Before the 21st century, the snake flag was largely unused in Martinique. It was mainly erroneously used as a courtesy ensign by yachters and was not available for sale locally.{{cite web |title=Flag Log's World Flag Chart 2000 |url=https://flaglog.com/2000 |website=Flag Log |access-date=27 November 2021}} The emoji of the flag was sometimes used by the Québécois as a stand in for Quebec's own flag, as there is no Quebec flag emoji available.{{cite web |url=https://worldcrunch.com/what-the-world/quebec39s-latest-demand-for-recognition-an-emoji |title=Quebec's Latest Demand For Recognition: An Emoji |website=Worldcrunch |access-date=June 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626013550/worldcrunch.com/what-the-world/quebec39s-latest-demand-for-recognition-an-emoji |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |language=en |date=June 1, 2021 |url-status=live}}

File:Bandera del MIM.svg|Flag of the Martinican Independence Movement

File:MARTINIQUE TAEKWONDO DRAPEAU.svg|Flag used by Martinique delegation at international taekwondo tournaments until their flag started to be used{{cite web|url=http://www.taekwondomartinique.fr/local/cache-gd2/707e92f1c8820c39627ef2c306558738.jpg|title=Image here|access-date=2016-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206072542/http://www.taekwondomartinique.fr/local/cache-gd2/707e92f1c8820c39627ef2c306558738.jpg|archive-date=2017-02-06|url-status=dead}}

File:Case-Pilote.jpg|French tricolours at the mairie of Case-Pilote

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• Coat of arms of Martinique
• Flags of French regions

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{FOTW|id=mq|title=Martinique}}
• [https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Drapeau_explications-Flag_explanations.pdf Drapeau explications] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712194743/https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Drapeau_explications-Flag_explanations.pdf |date=12 July 2022 }} - Flag explanation (French)
• {{cite journal |last1=Zander |first1=Ulrike |title=Le drapeau rouge-vert-noir en Martinique : un emblème national ? |journal=Autrepart |date=2007 |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=181–196 |doi=10.3917/autr.042.0181 |url=https://www.cairn.info/journal-autrepart-2007-2-page-181.htm |language=fr|url-access=subscription }}

{{Caribbean topic|Flag of|title=Flags of the Caribbean|nolinkvi=y}}

{{Flags of Overseas France}}

{{Flags of North America}}

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Category:1766 introductions

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