 | |
| Use | National flag andensign  |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | 1 March 1967; 58 years ago (1967-03-01) (last modified in 2002) |
| Design | A light blue field with a small golden isosceles triangle in front of a large white-edged black isosceles triangle in the centre. |
| Designed by | Dunstan St Omer |
 Standard of thegovernor-general of Saint Lucia | |
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | 1979; 47 years ago (1979) |
Thenational flag ofSaint Lucia consists of acerulean blue field charged with a goldentriangle in front of a white-edged blackisosceles triangle.[1] Adopted in 1967 to replace the BritishBlue Ensigndefaced with the arms of the colony, it has been the flag ofSaint Lucia since the country became anassociated state of theUnited Kingdom that year. Although the overall design of the flag has remained unchanged, specific aspects of it have been altered over the years.
The French colonised Saint Lucia in 1635 and subsequently signed a treaty with the local indigenous population 25 years later in 1660.[2] However, theBritish vied for control with theFrench, and the island frequently switched hands between the two powers.[3] This continued until 1814, when theTreaty of Paris was signed that sawFrance permanently relinquish Saint Lucia to the British,[3] and it became acrown colony of theUnited Kingdom withinits colonial empire in that same year.[2] During this colonial period of French and British rule, Saint Lucia did not have its ownunique colonial flag.[4]
The British finally granted Saint Lucia its own uniquecoat of arms in August 1939. Theescutcheon consisted of a black shield featuring two sticks of bamboo forming a cross, with twoTudor roses symbolisingEngland and twofleurs-de-lis symbolisingFrance occupying the four quadrants. This emblem was utilised todeface the BritishBlue Ensign in order to form the territory's flag.[4]
The island became part of theWest Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962.[2] However, this political union turned out to be unsuccessful, and on 1 March 1967 – five years after the federation was dissolved – Saint Lucia became anAssociated State.[4] This gave the territory full control over domestic matters, while Britain retained responsibility for the island'sforeign affairs anddefence.[2] The territory's new flag, which was designed by native Saint Lucian artistDunstan St Omer,[5][6] was adopted on that same day.[7] When Saint Lucia became an independent country on 22 February 1979, the overall design of the flag from twelve years before remained unchanged,[7][8] but the blue colour's shade and the triangles' sizes were modified marginally.[4] Despite the fact that the island already had its own distinct flag by the time it became a sovereign state, theUnion Jack was still lowered for the final time at the official ceremony marking independence.[9]
The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The blue epitomises the sky and the sea,[10] specifically theAtlantic Ocean andCaribbean Sea which encircle the country.[4] The black and white allude to the harmonious relationship between theblack andwhite races. The yellow symbolises the sunshine,[4] as well as prosperity.[10] The triangles represent thePitons,[7] which are twin volcanic cones located in the southwest part of the island and unity;[4]Gros Piton andPetit Piton are a national symbol of Saint Lucia.[10].svg)
| Flag | Duration | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1766–1796 | Flag of the French Colony of Saint Lucia | Thedrapeau aux serpents was adopted by French colonial officials in 1766 for use as a civil ensign in both St Lucia andMartinique. The flag features a white cross on a blue field with four L-shaped (for Lucia) white fer-de-lance vipers in each quarter. |
.svg) | 1796–1801 | Flag of the United Kingdom | Following the British annexation of the island theKings Colours became the official flag of the colony. |
 | 1801–1875 | Flag of the United Kingdom | In 1801 theUnion Jack was adapted to include the St. Patrick's saltire. This would be the official flag of the island until its adoption of a unique colonial ensign. |
.svg) | 1875–1939 | Flag of the British Colony of Saint Lucia | TheLatin motto in the seal reads:STATIO HAUD MALEFIDA CARINIS (roughly, "Hardly a faithless guard for ships"). |
.svg) | 1875–1939 | Flag of thegovernor of Saint Lucia | The Union Jack defaced in the centre with the 1875 arms of Saint Lucia surrounded by a laurel wreath. |
.svg) | 1939–1967 | Flag of the British Colony of Saint Lucia | A BritishBlue Ensigndefaced with the arms of the colony. This consisted of a black shield featuring two sticks of bamboo forming a cross, with twoTudor roses symbolisingEngland and twofleurs-de-lis symbolisingFrance occupying the four quadrants. |
.svg) | 1939–1979 | Flag of the governor of Saint Lucia | The Union Jack defaced in the centre with a white disc containing the 1939 arms of Saint Lucia and surrounded by a laurel wreath. |
.svg) | 1967–1979 | Flag of Saint Lucia | A cerulean blue field charged with a yellow triangle in front of a white-edged black arrowhead. |
.svg) | 1979–2002 | Flag of Saint Lucia | A cerulean blue field charged with a yellow triangle in front of a white-edged black arrowhead. The yellow triangle was enlarged and the arrowhead made narrower. |
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