Flag of Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands flag is dark blue with the British Union Jack in the top corner by the flagpole and the islands' coat of arms, showing a white ram and a sailing ship, on the other side.
At a glance
- Adopted
- January 25, 1999a blue flag with the islands' badge has been used since 1876; the current coat of arms dates from 1948, and in 1999 the arms were made bigger and the white disc behind them was removed
- Shape (height : width)
- 1:2
- Capital
- Stanley
- Continent
- South America
- Colours
- dark blue
- red
- white
- light blue
What it means
- Union Jack: the islands' link to the United Kingdom
- White ram: sheep farming, long the islands' main work
- Ship Desire: the ship of the English sailor John Davis, who is said to have found the islands in 1592
- Motto "Desire the Right": a play on the ship's name Desire
Where it came from
The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of South America. Like many British territories, their flag is a Blue Ensign: a blue flag with the Union Jack in the corner and the territory's own badge.
Argentina also claims the islands, which it calls the Islas Malvinas.
History
The first flag, from 1876, showed the islands' seal with a ship, HMS Hebe, and a bullock. A coat of arms from 1925 had the ship Desire and a sea lion.
The present coat of arms came in 1948, with a white ram above the Desire. For years it sat on a white disc. During the 1982 war Argentina's forces banned the flag and put up Argentina's instead. On 25 January 1999 the arms were made much bigger and the white disc was removed.
Fun facts
- The first flag of 1876 showed a bullock for the wild cattle that once roamed the islands; today's arms show a ram for sheep farming.
- Civilian ships of the Falklands fly a red version of the flag with the same coat of arms.
- In 2012, 30 years after the war, the flag was flown over 10 Downing Street, the British prime minister's home.
Easy to mix up with
New Zealand: New Zealand is also dark blue with the Union Jack, but it has four red stars instead of a coat of arms
Australia: Australia is also dark blue with the Union Jack, but it has white stars
Questions
What does the flag of Falkland Islands look like?
The Falkland Islands flag is dark blue with the British Union Jack in the top corner by the flagpole and the islands' coat of arms, showing a white ram and a sailing ship, on the other side.
What do the colours and symbols on the flag of Falkland Islands mean?
Union Jack: the islands' link to the United Kingdom; White ram: sheep farming, long the islands' main work; Ship Desire: the ship of the English sailor John Davis, who is said to have found the islands in 1592; Motto "Desire the Right": a play on the ship's name Desire.
When was the flag of Falkland Islands adopted?
The current flag of Falkland Islands was adopted on January 25, 1999. (a blue flag with the islands' badge has been used since 1876; the current coat of arms dates from 1948, and in 1999 the arms were made bigger and the white disc behind them was removed)
What colours are on the flag of Falkland Islands?
The flag of Falkland Islands uses dark blue, red, white and light blue.
Which flag is easy to mix up with the flag of Falkland Islands?
It is easy to mix up with the flag of New Zealand. New Zealand is also dark blue with the Union Jack, but it has four red stars instead of a coat of arms
Famous landmarks in Falkland Islands
🎯 Play the flag quiz 🌍 Play the globe
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org
- crwflags.com
- Flag picture: flagcdn.com (Wikimedia Commons)