Saint Helena Flag and Meaning
Flag of Saint Helena
Saint Helena Flag Meaning
The flag of Saint Helena is a British overseas territory flag, which incorporates elements of both the United Kingdom’s Union Jack and unique symbols to represent the island. The flag features a Union Jack in the top-left corner and a specific emblem in the lower-right quadrant, which is central to the island’s identity. The overall design is indicative of the island’s colonial history and its continuing ties to the United Kingdom.
Saint Helena’s flag is characterized by a white field with the Union Jack placed in the canton (upper left corner), and the emblem of Saint Helena positioned to the right of the Union Jack. The emblem is a representation of the island’s national identity and consists of a shield with a figure of Saint Helena herself, the patron saint of the island. The shield, a traditional design element, is framed by a banner that reads “Saint Helena” at the bottom, ensuring the island’s name is recognized. This flag design is used in official settings, including government buildings, ships, and other representations of Saint Helena as a British overseas territory.
Flag Dimensions and Proportions
The flag of Saint Helena follows the standard proportions of the British overseas territory flags, which is typically in the ratio of 1:2 (height to length). This means that for every one unit of height, the length of the flag is two units, ensuring a balanced and visually appealing design.
The canton, which houses the Union Jack, occupies the top-left quarter of the flag, and its proportions align with traditional British colonial flags. The remainder of the flag’s field is divided between the white background and the emblem of Saint Helena. The emblem itself occupies the lower-right quadrant of the flag, leaving a relatively large white area to emphasize the flag’s British connection. The emblem itself is smaller than the Union Jack but is clearly visible and integral to the flag’s design.
The proportions of the emblem on the flag are also carefully designed to be visible and proportional to the surrounding flag elements. The shield that makes up the emblem has a relatively symmetrical design with a figure of Saint Helena centrally placed. This design ensures that the flag maintains visual balance, while the proportions of the Union Jack and the emblem respect traditional usage in British colonial flags.
Colors of the Flag
The colors used in the Saint Helena flag reflect both the island’s connection to the United Kingdom and its own cultural and historical identity. The predominant colors in the flag are red, white, and blue, which are all part of the British flag design and symbolize the enduring connection between Saint Helena and the United Kingdom.
Red
Red is one of the primary colors featured in the Union Jack, which is prominently displayed in the top-left canton of the flag. It also appears in the Saint Helena emblem, particularly in the figure of Saint Helena’s cloak. In the Union Jack, red represents the cross of Saint George, symbolizing England, one of the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom. The color red is historically associated with strength, courage, and valor. In the context of Saint Helena, red serves as a reminder of its colonial relationship with Britain and its place within the broader British Empire.
White
White is the dominant color in the field of the flag and occupies the majority of the flag’s surface area. The white background represents peace, unity, and purity. White is often used in British overseas territory flags, symbolizing the connection to British rule and governance. Additionally, the white background helps the emblem of Saint Helena stand out, making it a focal point of the flag. This clean, neutral color also highlights the island’s unique identity and its relationship with both its history and its ongoing governance by the British Crown.
Blue
The color blue is primarily found in the Union Jack in the canton, where it symbolizes the authority of the British monarchy. Blue in the Union Jack represents the cross of Saint Andrew (the Scottish flag), as well as the larger connection to the British Empire and its naval dominance. It signifies loyalty, justice, and the unity of the various nations that make up the United Kingdom. For Saint Helena, blue ties the island to its British heritage, while also invoking the image of the surrounding ocean, which has played a crucial role in the island’s history as an isolated outpost in the Atlantic.
Gold
Gold is used sparingly but importantly in the emblem, particularly in the representation of the figure of Saint Helena. This color is used for the detailing in the saint’s attire and for the outline of the shield. Gold is traditionally associated with wealth, authority, and achievement, highlighting the island’s historical significance as a strategic location during British imperial expansion. The use of gold in the emblem reflects the importance of Saint Helena’s role in British maritime history.
Symbols on the Flag
The flag of Saint Helena features several symbols that are deeply tied to the island’s history, culture, and identity. These symbols primarily include the Union Jack and the emblem of Saint Helena.
The Union Jack
The Union Jack in the canton is a symbol of the United Kingdom and represents Saint Helena’s status as a British overseas territory. The Union Jack is composed of the crosses of Saint George (representing England), Saint Andrew (representing Scotland), and Saint Patrick (representing Ireland). The presence of the Union Jack in the flag reflects the enduring colonial connection between Saint Helena and the United Kingdom. The Union Jack’s prominence in the flag reaffirms the British governance of the island and its continued importance within the British Empire.
The Emblem of Saint Helena
The emblem in the lower-right quadrant of the flag is the most unique feature of Saint Helena’s flag, setting it apart from other British overseas territory flags. The emblem consists of a shield featuring the figure of Saint Helena, the island’s patron saint. Saint Helena was the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great and is known for her role in Christianizing the Roman Empire. The figure of Saint Helena is shown holding a cross, symbolizing her Christian faith, which has influenced the cultural and historical legacy of the island. The shield itself is framed with a golden outline and is accompanied by a banner at the bottom that reads “Saint Helena.”
The emblem underscores the religious and cultural significance of Saint Helena to the island. The inclusion of the saint’s image and the banner with the island’s name serves as a reminder of Saint Helena’s Christian heritage and the legacy of the island’s founding.
Cultural and National Identity
Saint Helena’s flag plays a significant role in symbolizing the island’s cultural and national identity. As a British overseas territory, the island’s identity is heavily shaped by its historical ties to the United Kingdom, but it also reflects the unique culture that has developed on the island over centuries. The flag’s design, incorporating both British elements and local symbols, speaks to the island’s status as a British territory while highlighting the island’s distinct identity.
The Union Jack, being an enduring symbol of the United Kingdom, represents the island’s political and historical relationship with Britain. However, the emblem of Saint Helena distinguishes the island from other territories. By featuring Saint Helena, the patron saint of the island, the flag expresses the island’s connection to its Christian heritage and the role of the island’s people in maintaining that legacy. The emblem also reflects the island’s relative isolation and its role as a strategic location in the Atlantic Ocean, which has historically made it important for trade and military purposes, particularly during the time of the British Empire.
The colors of the flag—red, white, blue, and gold—serve to emphasize the cultural ties to the British monarchy, while also incorporating the island’s local traditions. The figure of Saint Helena in the emblem is an essential part of the island’s cultural identity, providing a symbol that resonates deeply with the people of Saint Helena. The banner with the island’s name reinforces its unique status and ensures the island’s identity is clearly communicated.
Saint Helena Overview
| Population | 6399 |
| Currency | UK £ |
| Area | 210 km² |
| Capital city | Jamestown |
| Population density | 28.5 residents/km² |
Island in the South Atlantic, 2,000 km from Angola on the west coast of Africa, immediately west of the GMT line. The island is of volcanic origin and is mountainous, but lacks natural resources and industry. The only productive activities are subsistence farming and fishing.
The people: The majority of the population is descended from Africans. About 6,000 of the island’s population has emigrated over the years to South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Religion: Orderly in decline: Anglicans, Baptists, 7th-day Adventists, Roman Catholic.
Language: English (official)
Political parties: There are no active political parties on the island.
Official Name: Saint Helena Colony with Dependencies.
Capital: Jamestown, 714 residents (2008). In the interior of the island is Longwood, where Napoleon Bonaparte sought asylum.
Government: Mark Andrew Capes, Governor appointed by the British Crown in July 2011. There is an executive and legislative council with 15 seats. 12 members are elected by free elections for a 4-year term. Furthermore, the governor and two former officials have a seat on the council.
Armed Forces: Britain takes care of the island’s defense
Saint Helena was uninhabited when Portuguese sailors reached it in 1502. In 1659, the British East Asian Company established a branch on the island, and since then it has been a British colony. The island is of very limited economic importance, but became known when Napoleon was granted asylum on it from 1815 until his death in 1821. Half a century later, Malvinas (Falklands) waged it again on the front pages of newspapers.
“We could not have captured the Falklands had it not been for Ascensión or Saint Helena,” a British MP assured in 1982. It is against this background that the British accept the high cost of preserving the colony paid over by the British Colonial Ministry. In the case of Ascención, the British share the expense with the United States. This island serves as a North American base and advanced point for the Royal Air Force.
For the UN, the situation is different. The position of the World Organization is that every people, no matter how small and poor their country may be, has the right to self-determination and independence. In December 1984, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution that only Washington and London voted against, urging the United Kingdom to re-launch the island’s fisheries, crafts and forestry, and to keep the people informed of its right to independence. At the same time, the resolution condemns the presence of the base at Ascención, since such bases should not be found in non-autonomous areas.
On January 1, 1989, a new constitution came into force giving greater powers to the Legislative Council and allowing public servants to stand in elections – with the Governor’s approval. At the same time, the new constitution lowered the voting age to 18 years.
Fishing is the island’s only export business. In recent years there has also been a sharp decline in fishing. While in 1985, 27.2 tons were exported, in 1990 it had dropped to 9.2 tons.
Saint Helena is interesting for science because of its rare flora and fauna. The island has 40 species of plants that are not found anywhere else on earth.
In April 1997, five members of the government resigned due to dissatisfaction with cuts in the island’s budgets and Governor David Smallman’s “dictatorial” inclinations. Unemployment reached 18%. At the same time, sections of the population demanded their British citizenship, which had been deprived of them in 1981.
The news in March 1999 that Britain would grant citizenship to all inhabitants of the dependent areas of the colonial power was loudly celebrated by the inhabitants of St. Helena. Governor Smallman declared that if the inhabitants of St. Helena had until then been “isolated from the empire, they now returned to their homes”.
In May 2002, the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the island was celebrated with a series of maritime and cultural events. As part of the festivities, a museum was opened in Jamestown where the island’s story was told.
In the 2003 decision, the British crown decided to appoint a new governor of Saint Helena. In October 2004, Michael Clancy took over the post, replacing David Hollamby.
Decades ago, the British government acquired a ship, which remains the only means of transport to reach the island. In recent years he discussed the building of an airport, but this idea is not fully shared among residents who fear that their isolated paradise could be damaged.
Saint Helena is the only UK overseas territory to receive regular financial aid in compensation for its limited economic activity.
In 2006, a project was adopted on the construction of an airport, luxury hotels and a golf course until 2010. The project aims to generate revenue for the islands, reducing their dependence on grants from the UK and the EU. However, environmental activists are critical of the project and its impact on the local flora and fauna, which is considered the world’s rarest and most valuable. The islands have 20 invertebrate and 40 plant species not found in other parts of the world.
In 2011, the UK government announced it would invest $ 200 million. £ in the building of a new airport to be completed in 2016. The airport has a military strategic aim and also has to make the island more accessible for tourism. Initially, it will only be flown from South Africa.
