The Flag of Saint Helena was adopted on October 4, 1984. It is a defaced Blue Ensign, i.e., blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helena shield centred on the outer half of the flag. The coat of arms of Saint Helena features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship, with a Saint Helena Plover atop. Prior to the adoption of the current coat of arms and flag in 1984, the flag and shield showed the ship and coastal scene taken from the colonial seal of the colony.
The Flag is not used in the dependencies of Saint Helena. Tristan da Cunha, adopted its own flag in October 2002. Ascension Island currently uses the Union Flag but is in the process of adopting its own flag.
Ships registered in Saint Helena fly the Red Ensign; there is no defaced variant for the territory.
Famous quotes containing the words flag of, flag, saint and/or helena:
“Swift blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.”
—Stephen Crane (1871–1900)
“What is Americanism? Every one has a different answer. Some people say it is never to submit to the dictation of a King. Others say Americanism is the pride of liberty and the defence of an insult to the flag with their gore. When some half-developed person tramples on that flag, we should be ready to pour out the blood of the nation, they say. But do we not sit in silence when that flag waves over living conditions which should be an insult to all patriotism?”
—Anna Howard Shaw (1847–1919)
“The saint and poet seek privacy to ends the most public and universal: and it is the secret of culture, to interest the man more in his public, than in his private quality.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Her name was called Lady Helena Herring and her age was 25 and she mated well with the earl.”
—Daisy Ashford (1881–1972)