Flag of Quebec
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| Name | Fleurdelisé |
|---|---|
| Use | Civil and state flag |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | January 21, 1948 |
The flag of Quebec, called the Fleurdelisé, was adopted for the province by the government of Quebec during the administration of Maurice Duplessis. It was the first provincial flag officially adopted in Canada, first shown on January 21, 1948, at the Parliament Building of the National Assembly in Quebec City. Quebec's Flag Day (January 21) commemorates its adoption each year, though for some time it was celebrated in May. At least one parade marked the flag's 60th anniversary in January 2008.
Article 2 of An Act respecting the flag and emblems of Québec confers the status of "national emblem" to the flag of Québec.
The Fleurdelisé takes its white cross from the ancient royal flags of France.
Its white fleurs-de-lis (symbols of purity) and blue field (symbolizing Heaven) come from a banner honouring the Virgin Mary. One such was reputedly carried by French Canadian militia at General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm's victory at Carillon.
The flag is blazoned Azure, a cross between four fleurs-de-lis argent. Its horizontal symmetry allows both sides of the flag to show the same image.
The flag's official ratio is 2:3 (width to length), but the flag is very often seen as a 1:2 variant to match the flag of Canada in size when flying together.
The Act concerning the flag and emblems of Quebec states that "in all cases, the flag of Quebec has precedence over any other flag or emblem." However, under federal protocol, the Canadian flag takes precedence when both are flown. When a federalist party controls the National Assembly of Quebec, both the flag of Quebec and the flag of Canada are displayed on either side of the President's dais, whereas when a sovereigntist party controls the chamber, only the Quebec flag is displayed.
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