Flag of Saint Lucia

Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Infobox flag

The national flag of Saint Lucia consists of a cerulean blue field charged with a golden triangle in front of a white-edged black isosceles triangle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Adopted in 1967 to replace the British Blue Ensign defaced with the arms of the colony, it has been the flag of Saint Lucia since the country became an associated state of the United Kingdom that year. Although the overall design of the flag has remained unchanged, specific aspects of it have been altered over the years.

History

The French colonised Saint Lucia in 1635 and subsequently signed a treaty with the local indigenous population 25 years later in 1660.<ref name="BBC">Template:Cite news</ref> However, the British vied for control with the French, and the island frequently switched hands between the two powers.<ref name="LP">Template:Cite web</ref> This continued until 1814, when the Treaty of Paris was signed that saw France permanently relinquish Saint Lucia to the British,<ref name="LP" /> and it became a crown colony of the United Kingdom within its colonial empire in that same year.<ref name="BBC" /> During this colonial period of French and British rule, Saint Lucia did not have its own unique colonial flag.<ref name="EB">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>

The British finally granted Saint Lucia its own unique coat of arms in August 1939. The escutcheon consisted of a black shield featuring two sticks of bamboo forming a cross, with two Tudor roses symbolising England and two fleurs-de-lis symbolising France occupying the four quadrants. This emblem was utilised to deface the British Blue Ensign in order to form the territory's flag.<ref name="EB" />

The island became part of the West Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962.<ref name="BBC" /> However, this political union turned out to be unsuccessful, and on 1 March 1967 – five years after the federation was dissolved – Saint Lucia became an Associated State.<ref name="EB" /> This gave the territory full control over domestic matters, while Britain retained responsibility for the island's foreign affairs and defence.<ref name="BBC" /> The territory's new flag, which was designed by native Saint Lucian artist Dunstan St Omer,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> was adopted on that same day.<ref name="complete">Template:Cite book</ref> When Saint Lucia became an independent country on 22 February 1979, the overall design of the flag from twelve years before remained unchanged,<ref name="complete" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but the blue colour's shade and the triangles' sizes were modified marginally.<ref name="EB" /> Despite the fact that the island already had its own distinct flag by the time it became a sovereign state, the Union Jack was still lowered for the final time at the official ceremony marking independence.<ref>Template:Cite news Template:Dead link</ref>

Design

The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The blue epitomises the sky and the sea,<ref name="CIA">Template:Cite web</ref> specifically the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea which encircle the country.<ref name="EB" /> The black and white allude to the harmonious relationship between the black and white races. The yellow symbolises the sunshine,<ref name="EB" /> as well as prosperity.<ref name="CIA" /> The triangles represent the Pitons,<ref name="complete" /> which are twin volcanic cones located in the southwest part of the island and unity;<ref name="EB" /> Gros Piton and Petit Piton are a national symbol of Saint Lucia.<ref name="CIA" />

Historical flags

Duration	Use	Description
1766–1796	Flag of the French Colony of Saint Lucia	The drapeau aux serpents was adopted by French colonial officials in 1766 for use as a civil ensign in both St Lucia and Martinique. The flag features a white cross on a blue field with four L-shaped (for Lucia) white fer-de-lance vipers in each quarter.
1796–1801	Flag of the United Kingdom	Following the British annexation of the island the Kings Colours became the official flag of the colony.
1801–1875	Flag of the United Kingdom	In 1801 the Union 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.
1875–1939	Flag of the British Colony of Saint Lucia	The Latin motto in the seal reads: Template:Sqc (roughly, "Hardly a faithless guard for ships").
1875–1939	Flag of the governor of Saint Lucia	The Union Jack defaced in the centre with the 1875 arms of Saint Lucia surrounded by a laurel wreath.
1939–1967	Flag of the British Colony of Saint Lucia	A British Blue Ensign defaced with the arms of the colony. This consisted of a black shield featuring two sticks of bamboo forming a cross, with two Tudor roses symbolising England and two fleurs-de-lis symbolising France occupying the four quadrants.
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.
1967–1979	Flag of Saint Lucia	A cerulean blue field charged with a yellow triangle in front of a white-edged black arrowhead.
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.