National Flag

Description

Saint Lucian artist Dunstan St. Omer, designer of the National Flag, has described it as follows:

  1. On a plain blue field, a device consisting of a white and black triangular shape, at the base of which a golden triangle occupies a central position.
  2. The triangles are superimposed on one another the black on the white, and the gold on the black. The black ends as a three-pointed star in the centre of the flag.
  3. The width of the white part of the triangle is one-and-a-half inches on both sides of the black. The distance between the peaks of the black and white triangles is four inches.
  4. The triangles share a common base the length of which is one-third of the full length of the flag.

Dimensions of the National Flag

The dimensions of the National Flag shall be in the following proportions: 6'x3' and 9"x4½"

Meaning of the Flag

  1. Cerulean Blue represents fidelity. This blue reflects our tropical sky and also our emerald surrounding waters— the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
  2. Gold represents the prevailing sunshine in the Caribbean and prosperity. Black and white stand for the cultural influences - the white part, the white culture; the black part, the black culture -the two races living and working in unity.
  3. The design impresses the dominance of the Negro culture vis-à-vis that of Europe, against a background of sun­shine and ever-blue sea. This is represented by the three triangles in the centre of the flag, symbolising three pitons.
  4. The Triangle, the shape of which is an isosceles triangle, is reminiscent of the island’s famous twin Pitons at Soufriere, rising sheer out of the sea, towards the sky -themselves, a symbol of the hope and aspirations of the people.

Coat of Arms

The emblems on the Coat of Arms and what they represent

  • Tudor Rose - England
  • Fleur de lis - France
  • Stool - Africa
  • Torch - Beacon to light the path
  • Saint Lucia Parrot - Amazona versicolor, the National Bird

The Coat of Arms of Saint Lucia is the official seal of the Government of Saint Lucia. It may not be used or reproduced in any form without the approval of the Government.

National Bird

The Saint Lucia Parrot (Amazona versicolor)

First described by Miller in 1776, this beautiful parrot is, and always has been found only in Saint Lucia.

It is predominantly green in colour, and a typical specimen has a cobalt blue forehead merging through turquoise to green on the cheeks and a scarlet breast. There are no visible differences between the two sexes.

Mating for life and maturing after five years, these long-lived birds are cavity nesters, laying two to three white eggs in the hollow of a large tree during the onset of the dry season between February and April.

National Anthem

Lyrics

Sons and daughters of St. Lucia,
Love the land that gave us birth,
Land of beaches, hills and valleys,
Fairest isle of all the earth.
Wheresoever you may roam,
Love, oh love your island home.
Gone the times when nations battled
For this 'Helen of the West,
Gone the days when strife and discord
Dimmed her children's toil and rest.
Dawns at last a brighter day,
Stretches out a glad new way.
May the good Lord bless our island,
Guard her sons from woe and harm!
May our people live united,
Strong in soul and strong in arm!
Justice, Truth and Charity,
Our ideal for ever be!