What does the flag of Curaçao mean?
Language & culture · 4 min read · Checked November 9, 2026
Short answer
The flag of Curaçao shows where the island sits. The blue stands for the sky and the sea, the yellow stripe for the sun, and the two white stars for Curaçao and its small neighbor Klein Curaçao. It was first raised officially on 2 July 1984, and the island celebrates it on that date every year.
What each part of the flag means
| Part of the flag | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| Top blue band | The sky |
| Yellow stripe | The sun, and the warmth and joy of the people |
| Bottom blue band | The sea around the island |
| Larger white star | Curaçao |
| Smaller white star | Klein Curaçao |
| Five points on each star | The continents the people of Curaçao come from |
The meaning of the five points comes from the designer, Martin den Dulk. That explanation was worked into the stamp Curaçao issued in 2019 for the flag's 35th anniversary.
Some local writers add more layers: blue for loyalty, the stars for trust and hope, and white for peace and happiness.
Who designed it
From 1954 until 1984, Curaçao used the flag of the Netherlands Antilles on official occasions. In the early 1980s the island decided it wanted a flag of its own and organized a competition.
Sources count between 1,700 and 2,000 entries. Ten designs made the shortlist, and a special council made its choice on 29 November 1982. The winner was Martin den Dulk, who was 18 at the time. After some changes, the flag was adopted on 2 July 1984.
The Netherlands Antilles were dissolved on 10 October 2010. Curaçao became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and kept the same flag.
Why the stripe sits below the middle
The three bands are not equal. From top to bottom, blue, yellow and blue have a height ratio of 5:1:2, so the sky takes up far more room than the sea. The flag is 3 units wide for every 2 units high.
Why the flag has its own day on 2 July
On 2 July 1951 the Island Council met for the first time, a moment widely seen as the practical start of Curaçao's self-government. The flag was raised officially for the first time on the same date in 1984. Since then the day has honored both the flag and the national anthem, the Himno di Kòrsou, which was adopted on 26 July 1978.
You will see the day called Dia di Bandera (Flag Day) or Dia di Himno i Bandera (Day of the Anthem and the Flag). Parliament was due to debate the name in April 2026. When we checked, we found no report of a final decision.
If you are on the island on 2 July
Flag Day is a public holiday. Schools and most businesses close, so check opening times the day before. The next one falls on Friday 2 July 2027.
- Brionplein, Otrobanda: the main ceremony is held here in the morning. In 2026 the program ran from about 07:15 to 10:40, with the flag raised at 09:00, the anthem at 09:10 and a parade of school and youth groups after that.
- Parke Himno i Bandera, Barber: a second morning ceremony takes place in this park.
- Around the island: expect flags on houses and cars, and activities in Willemstad such as market stalls, sports and performances.
Times and places change from year to year, so look for the local program closer to the day.
See both stars for yourself
The big star is the island you are standing on. The small one is a boat ride away: read about a day trip to Klein Curaçao, or compare the boat trips. While you are here, a few words of Papiamentu go a long way.
Sources: Curaçao Chronicle (14 January and 17 April 2026), the Cpost International 2019 stamp issue 35 Years Dia di Bandera, curacao.nu (official program, 2 July 2026), nu.cw (1 July 2026), Dutch Caribbean Heritage, Curaçao History, 1000 Awesome Things About Curaçao (2 July 2013), Wikipedia and timeanddate.com.
Cover photo: the flag of Curaçao, by dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Flag image: public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Plan it
- Klein Curaçao Day Trip on the Mermaid · Klein Curaçao · USD 150 per adult, USD 75 ages 4–12, under 4 free
- Klein Curaçao by Speedboat: Powerboat Caribbean’s Fast RIB, Barbecue and Open Bar · Klein Curaçao · USD 169 per adult, USD 135 per child (6 to 11)
- Klein Curaçao Day Trip on the Gold Seahorse · Klein Curaçao · USD 135 per person, children 4–12 USD 70, under 4 free
Frequently asked questions
What do the two stars on the Curaçao flag mean?
The larger star stands for Curaçao and the smaller star for Klein Curaçao. The five points on each star stand for the continents the people of Curaçao come from.
What do the colors of the Curaçao flag mean?
The top blue band is the sky, the bottom blue band is the sea, and the yellow stripe is the sun.
Who designed the flag of Curaçao?
Martin den Dulk, who was 18 when the design won a competition with between 1,700 and 2,000 entries. The flag was adopted on 2 July 1984.
When is Flag Day in Curaçao?
Every year on 2 July. It is a public holiday, with the main morning ceremony at Brionplein in Otrobanda.
More about Curaçao
- Can you drink the tap water in Curaçao?
- The bridges of Willemstad: which to walk, drive and photograph
- Traffic signs on Curaçao: what they mean and who has priority
- Best time to visit Curaçao: weather and events month by month
- Klein Curaçao boat trips compared: five day trips side by side
- Klein Curaçao: a day trip to the uninhabited island