The Overlooked History of Puerto Rico’s Sky Blue Flag

Alongside the iconic red, white and blue Puerto Rican flag flies a lesser-known banner – a sky blue flag bearing the island’s coat of arms. Though obscure today, this vibrant blue flag has a unique history intertwined with the island’s shifting political status.

The genesis of the sky blue Puerto Rican flag traces back to 1898 when the island was ceded to the United States after the Spanish-American War. The U.S. approved an official blue and white territorial flag for Puerto Rico featuring the American bald eagle and stripes.

But Puerto Rican leaders desired a more distinctive banner. In 1952, Commonwealth status was enacted and the sky blue flag was adopted as the official state flag. It featured a new coat of arms designed by Puerto Rican artist Juan O’Neilly.

The light blue background represents the sky, coast and ocean waters surrounding the island. The WHITE cross symbolizes Christianity. The gold-fringed coat of arms depicts the island itself and symbols of Puerto Rican culture – sugar cane, tobacco, pine cones, and more.

The sky blue flag was flown proudly as a symbol of Puerto Rico’s new Commonwealth status and self-governing authority in partnership with the United States. It asserted Puerto Rican identity under the new constitutional arrangement.

But as disputes over Puerto Rico’s political status continued in later decades, the sky blue flag faded from prominence. Pro-statehood and independence movements viewed it as emblematic of the Commonwealth status they contested.

The red, white and blue flag regained primacy as the undisputed national banner. But the sky blue flag never fully disappeared. It remains official and can still be seen, especially in past photos and historic displays.

This overlooked flag is a relic of Puerto Rico’s hopes surrounding Commonwealth and a symbol of its complex evolution. By learning its history, we gain perspective on political shifts and current debates.

Whether advocate or critic of the Commonwealth, the sky blue flag represents an important chapter in Puerto Rico’s status story. Its vibrant hues and coat of arms deserve remembrance even if the status it represented is questioned.

So next time you encounter the sky blue banner, take a moment to reflect on its significance. The unsung history of this flag highlights the twists and turns on Puerto Rico’s road to determining its destiny.