Coat of arms of Saint-Barthélemy
Flag of France
Saint Barthélemy is an overseas collectivity of France |
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| Name | Tricolore |
|---|---|
| Use | National flag, civil and state ensign |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | 15 February 1794 |
Unofficial flag of Saint Barthelemy
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The flag of Saint Barthélemy is the French tricolor. This is because Saint Barthélemy is a self-governing overseas collectivity of France. An unofficial flag of Saint-Barthélemy consisting of the island's coat of arms centered on a white field is also used on the island.
The coat of arms of Saint-Barthélemy is a shield divided into three horizontal stripes (parted per fess), three gold fleurs-de-lis on blue, above a white Maltese cross on red, over three gold crowns on blue, and "Ouanalao" is what the indigenous people called the island. On top of the shield is a mural crown.
The fleurs-de-lis, Maltese Cross, and gold crowns are heraldic reminders of the island's history as a colony ruled by first the Kingdom of France, then the Knights Hospitaller and in turn the Kingdom of Sweden. Eventually, the island returned to French rule.
On a white background, the arms serves as the unofficial flag of Saint Barthélemy.
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