The Cuban Flag consists of five horizontal stripes: three blue and two white. The blue stripes represent the three old divisions of the island, while the white stripes symbolize the purity of the struggle for independence. In the left corner, there is a red triangle that stands for the blood shed during the fight for freedom, and it contains a white star, known as the "Lone Star," which represents independence. Adopted on February 24, 1848, the Cuban Flag was designed by María de las Mercedes Santa Cruz y Montalvo, a Cuban noblewoman. The flag has become a symbol of national pride and identity for the people of Cuba.