Haiti's flag has two horizontal bands of blue and red, featuring the national coat of arms in a white square at the center. The coat of arms displays a palm tree topped with a liberty cap, flanked by flags, cannons, and other weapons, symbolizing the nation's readiness to defend its freedom. The motto "L'Union fait la force" ("Unity makes strength") appears on a white ribbon below the design. The blue and red colors represent the unity of Haiti's Black and mixed-race citizens. This design was first adopted in 1806 under President Alexandre Pétion and has undergone various changes throughout Haiti's history. Notably, during the leadership of François Duvalier and his son Jean-Claude Duvalier, the flag's colors were altered to black and red. However, the original blue and red design was reinstated after their rule ended in 1986.