Flag History | The arms, granted on 15 November 1960, appear in the center of the British blue ensign. The central figure is St. Ursula, the “wise virgin” and namesake of the islands. The eleven lamps represent the 11 virgins murdered with St. Ursula by the Huns. |
Flag Date of Adoption | 1956 |
Flag Symbolism | It is blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful); the islands were named by COLUMBUS in 1493 in honor of Saint Ursula and her 11 virgin followers (some sources say 11,000) who reputedly were martyred by the Huns in the 4th or 5th century; the figure on the banner holding a lamp represents the saint; the other lamps symbolize her followers |
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