Tricolore | |
Use | National flag, civil and state ensign |
---|---|
Proportion | 2:3 |
Adopted | 15 February 1794 |
An unofficial flag of Saint Barthélemy consisting of the coat of arms of Saint Barthélemy centered on a white field is used on the island. [1] [2] [3] Officially, only the flag of France, of which Saint Barthélemy is a self-governing overseas collectivity, is flown in the territory.
The coat of arms of Saint-Barthélemy is a shield divided into three horizontal stripes (parted per fess), three gold fleurs-de-lis on blue, above a white Maltese cross on red, over three gold crowns on blue, and "Ouanalao" is what the indigenous people called the island. On top of the shield is a mural crown.
The fleurs-de-lis, Maltese Cross, and gold crowns are heraldic reminders of the island's history as a colony ruled by first the Kingdom of France, then the Knights Hospitaller and in turn the Kingdom of Sweden. Eventually, the island returned to French rule.
On a white background, the arms serves as an unofficial flag for Saint Barthélemy.
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