 Commonwealth flag as adopted in 2013 | |
| Use | Other |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 3:5 or 1:2 |
| Adopted | 26 March 1976; modified 12 November 2013 |
| Design | A gold globe, surrounded by 34 sunrays, on a blue field. |
Theflag of the Commonwealth of Nations is the official flag used by and representing theCommonwealth of Nations. Its current design dates to 2013, a modification of a design adopted in 1976.
The flag consists of the Commonwealth symbol in gold on a bluefield. The symbol centres on aglobe, representing the global nature of the Commonwealth and the breadth of its membership.
The flag developed from car pennants produced for the first time at the 1973Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held inOttawa,Ontario. The initiative for its design is credited to two Canadians: the firstCommonwealth Secretary-General,Arnold Smith; andPrime MinisterPierre Trudeau. It was officially adopted on 26 March 1976.[1]
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The original design featured a globe surrounded by 64 radiating, approximately quadrilateral, sunrays, which form a 'C' for 'Commonwealth'. The number of sunrays did not represent the number of member states (there have never been 64 members); instead, the large number represented the many ways in which the Commonwealth cooperates around the world. This flag used Pantone 286.[2]
In 2013, the globe was tilted, and the number of sunrays reduced to 34. The colourings used in the flag were also slightly modified.[3] The standard proportions of the flag are 3:5; however, a 1:2 version appears in countries whose flags use a 1:2 ratio, such as Australia and the UK. This flag used Pantone 280.[4]
The flag of the Commonwealth of Nations is flown atMarlborough House, London, the headquarters of theCommonwealth Secretariat, throughout the year, and for a limited period at other venues where Commonwealth meetings, events, or visits are taking place (for example, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings).
On 28 September 2016, theWelsh ConservativeAM in theNational Assembly for WalesMohammad Asghar suggested that oncethe United Kingdom left the European Union, the Welsh Assembly should replace the EU Flag alongside theUnion Flag and theWelsh Flag. It has been suggested that the Flag of the Commonwealth be the replacement.[5] On 31 January 2020, Brexit was marked at theGibraltar border with the lowering of the EU flag and the raising of the Commonwealth flag in its place.[6]
Former Commonwealth Secretary-GeneralDon McKinnon encourages the flying of the Commonwealth flag on Commonwealth Day, and the Office of the Secretary-General notes that "it is not the case that the Union Jack – or the flag of any other member country for that matter – is a substitute for the Commonwealth flag which represents the association of 53 members and their peoples."[7] However, in Canada, thefederal government directs its installations with a second flagpole to fly theRoyal Union Flag instead, as that flag was the designated symbol in that country to represent its Commonwealth membership and allegiance toThe Crown.[8]
In the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth Flag is flown on Commonwealth Day at theScottish Parliament Building inEdinburgh, alongside theUnion Flag, theScottish saltire, and theEuropean Union flag, which latter three flying daily.[9] Similar arrangements were made to fly the Commonwealth flag on Commonwealth Day, alongside the Union Flag, were made at the inBelfast in 2002. A similar arrangement was made at theParliament Buildings inBelfast in 2002, with the Commonwealth flag flown alongside the Union Flag on Commonwealth Day. In Gibraltar, the flag has been flown since the territory'swithdrawal from the European Union, replacing theFlag of the European Union.[10] Prior to Brexit, it was raised on Commonwealth Day from the third flagpole at No. 6 Convent Place, the office of theChief Minister, alongside the Union Flag and theflag of Gibraltar.[11]
A ceremonial flag is used at theCommonwealth Games, the design of which has changed considerably over the years.
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