The overseas territory of Saint Helena was conquered by the British in 1659. Since then, the island has been an overseas possession of Great Britain and its flag is the traditional banner adopted in the colonial and overseas possessions of Her Majesty.
Description and proportions of the flag of Saint Helena
The flag of Saint Helena has a classic rectangular shape, like the flags of many states on the political map of the world. Its length and width are related to each other in a 2: 1 ratio. The flag of Saint Helena is allowed for use by individuals and citizens of the country on an equal basis with its state organizations. Only government ships are allowed to use the Saint Helena flag on the water.
The rectangular flag of Saint Helena is dark blue. The British flag is inscribed in its upper quarter at the staff. This is the traditional form of the flag of the British controlled territory.
The right side of the Saint Helena flag contains the coat of arms of the overseas territory. It has the shape of a shield divided horizontally into two unequal parts. In the upper field of the coat of arms of the flag of Saint Helena, a plover is depicted on a gold background. This bird is a unique representative of the island and is not found anywhere else in the world. Below on the coat of arms you can see a sailing ship that approaches the rocky coast by sea. A white flag with a red cross flutters at its stern. The image of a sailboat on the flag of Saint Helena was previously owned by the colonial seal.
History of the flag of Saint Helena
The first flag of Saint Helena was similar to the modern banner, the difference of which was only in a slightly different coat of arms. It was a heraldic shield that depicted a sailing ship sailing on the blue sea. A white flag with a red St. George's cross is raised at its stern. On the left of the coat of arms there were mountain peaks, the coat of arms was outlined with a golden edging. This flag was adopted in 1874 and it successfully existed as a state flag for over a century. In October 1984, a new coat of arms was adopted and the appearance of the flag of Saint Helena was also changed.
