National Flag of the Cayman Islands (1958)

The coat of arms appearing on the Cayman Islands flag received royal approval by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, of Great Britain, on the 14th of May 1958. 

It was shortly after this date that the national flag was introduced. Prior to 1959, the Union Jack of Great Britain was used for all official Cayman Islands functions.

The Cayman Islands flag is based on the British Blue Ensign with the Cayman Islands coat of arms resting on a white disc, centrally placed, on the fly of the flag.

The Symbolic Meaning

The British Blue Ensign, incorporating the Union Flag or Union Jack in the hoist, indicates the Cayman Islands historical association with Great Britain. The Cayman Islands are still an overseas territory of Great Britain.

The Blue Ensign bears the arms of the island in the fly:

The turtle resting on top of the heraldic shield represents Cayman Islands seafaring history, the coil of rope beneath the turtle signifies the islands traditional rope industry and the pineapple, above the turtle, connotes the Cayman Islands former link to Jamaica, which once governed the islands.

The shield has a lion, which represents Great Britain, on top of white and blue wavy lines, signifying the water surrounding the three main islands of Cayman (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman), which are represented by the three stars.

The country's motto is written underneath: "He Hath Founded It Upon The Seas".