Reunion Flag

The flag of Réunion is a distinctive regional banner featuring a blue field with a prominent white triangle on the hoist side, which contains a stylized representation of the island's volcano, Piton de la Fournaise. The flag's design is dominated by five undulating red bands that radiate from the triangle across the blue expanse, symbolizing the island's energy and volcanic activity. This unofficial flag, known as the "Lo Mavéli" flag, was created in 1974 and has gained widespread popular acceptance, though it is not the official administrative flag of the French overseas department.

The flag's vibrant color palette and dynamic, abstract geometric forms set it apart from many traditional flags, making it a modern and recognizable symbol of the island's identity. Its design intentionally avoids the common vexillological elements found in French regional flags, such as heraldic coats of arms, opting instead for a more symbolic and artistic representation.

The flag's central symbol is the white triangle, which represents the island's iconic volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes. The five radiating red bands flowing from the triangle symbolize the volcano's lava flows and the dynamic energy of the island and its people. The deep blue field surrounding the design represents the Indian Ocean, which surrounds Réunion, and the sky above it.

The overall composition is interpreted as a sun rising over the ocean, with the volcano at its center, encapsulating the island's dramatic natural landscape. The choice of red, white, and blue can also be seen as a subtle nod to the colors of the French Tricolore, reflecting Réunion's status as part of France, while asserting a unique local identity.

The flag was designed in 1974 by Guy Pignolet, with assistance from Jean Finck and Daniel Lagane, under the name "Lo Mavéli." It was created for the Association Réunion Département as a proposed flag for the then-newly formed department, aiming to provide a symbol distinct from the French national flag. Despite its unofficial status, it has been flown widely across the island since the 1980s and is used by local cultural and sporting groups, becoming the de facto cultural flag of Réunion.

The official flag used for administrative purposes remains the French Tricolore, as Réunion is an integral part of France. No other historical regional flags for Réunion are widely documented or recognized before the adoption of "Lo Mavéli."