Saint Kitts and Nevis
UseNational flag, civil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion2:3
Adopted19 September 1983
DesignA yellow-edged black diagonal band bearing two white five-pointed stars divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner to the upper fly-side corner: the upper triangle is green and the lower triangle is red.
Designed byEdris Lewis
Naval ensign of Saint Kitts and Nevis
UseNaval ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1:2
DesignA white field with a centered red cross, the national flag stretched out to a ratio of 1:2 is in the canton.
Flag of the governor-general of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Proportion1:2
Adopted19 September 1983
DesignA lion statant guardant surmounted upon St Edward's Crown above a gold scroll inscribed with 'COUNTRY ABOVE SELF' on a blue field
Meeting between American and Kittsian diplomats; Saint Kitts and Nevis flag in background

The flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis consists of a yellow-edged black band containing two white stars that divides diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner, with a green upper triangle and red lower triangle. Adopted in 1983 to replace the flag of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, it has been the flag of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis since the country gained independence that year. Although the flag utilises the colours of the Pan-Africanist movement, the symbolism behind them is interpreted differently.[1] The three islands later became part of the West Indies Federation in 1958; after this dissolved four years later, they were granted the status of associate state as Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla.[2] However, Anguilla decided to secede from the federation in 1969,[3] owing to fears that their population, which was already small, would be further marginalised in parliament.[2] This was eventually formalised in 1980,[3] and a new flag for the remaining parts of the federation was needed, since the symbolism of the previous flag centred on the concept of a union of three.[2]

A national competition was held in the early 1980s to choose a new flag. The winning design by student Edris Lewis was one of 258 entries.[4] It was first hoisted one minute after midnight on 19 September 1983, the day Saint Kitts and Nevis became an independent country.[5][6]

Design

Symbolism

The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The green alludes to the country's fertile land, while the red evokes the fight against slavery and colonialism. The yellow stripes represent the sunshine the islands enjoy all year round, and the black epitomises the people's African origins.[2][4] The two stars on the black band symbolise the two islands as well as hope and liberty.[2][4][7] The official meaning behind the flag's symbols was formulated by Edris Lewis, the same person who designed the flag.[4]

Flag of Nevis

Flag of Nevis.

The flag of Nevis island incorporates the flag of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the top left corner.

The golden field stands for sunshine. The central triangle represents the conical shape of Nevis, with the blue being the ocean; the green being the verdant slopes of the island; and the white being the clouds that usually wreathe Nevis Peak.

Historical flags

Flag Duration Use Description
1871–1956 Flag of the British Leeward Islands
1958–1962 Flag of the West Indies Federation A blue field with four white horizontal wavy bars (the top pair of bars being parallel and the lower pair also parallel) and an orange sun in the centre.
1958–1967 Flag of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
1967 Flag of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla A vertical tricolour of green, yellow and blue.
1967–1983 Flag of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla A vertical tricolour of green, yellow and blue charged with a palm tree at the centre.

References

  1. ^ Shaw, Carol P. (1992). Flags. HarperCollins UK. ISBN 0-00-470114-3.
  2. ^ a b c d e Smith, Whitney. "Saint Kitts and Nevis, flag of". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 10 June 2013. (subscription required)
  3. ^ a b Olson, James Stuart; Shadle, Robert, eds. (1 January 1991). Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 28. ISBN 9780313262579. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d Kindersley, Dorling (3 November 2008). Complete Flags of the World. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 33. ISBN 9781405333023. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  5. ^ Hagman, Harvey (20 September 1983). "Newest Caribbean Flag Is Raised Over Tiny State Of St. Kitts–Nevis". The Miami Herald. Associated Press. p. 18A. Retrieved 10 June 2013. (subscription required)
  6. ^ Sewell, Dan (19 September 1983). "St. Kitts–Nevis: New nation born". The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg. Associated Press. p. 4. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  7. ^ "Saint Kitts and Nevis". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
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