 | |
| Proportion | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Adopted | May 17, 1983[1] |
| Designed by | Robert Watt |
The flag of Vancouver was adopted by the Vancouver City Council on May 17, 1983.[1] It was designed by Robert Watt, the director of the Vancouver Museum at the time, and later the Chief Herald of Canada.[2][3] It features a white field with five wavy blue barrulets, and a green pentagon on the hoist side surmounted by a gold shield with the city badge, which consists of a mural crown with crossed axe and paddle.
The white and blue symbolize Vancouver's position as a natural harbour on the Pacific Ocean,[2] while the green pentagon represents the land on which the city was built, and the forests which stood on this land.[1] These elements echo the motto on the pre-1969 municipal coat of arms, By Sea and Land We Prosper. The mural crown in the city badge reflects Vancouver's status as an incorporated city,[1] while the axe and paddle stand for the city's traditional industries, logging and fishing.[2]
Prior to this flag, Vancouver had a different municipal flag which was the result of a contest held in 1978, with the winning entry submitted by Rudolph Danglemaier.[2] The flag featured a white Canadian pale flanked by a green stripe on the hoist side, and a blue stripe on the fly side. The shield, helmet, mantling and crest from the city arms were placed in the centre of the flag.[2]
