About Our Flag

Welcome , here is some interesting information about our Provincial,
and
some other Flags used throughout our website

Provincial Flag

The provincial flag was officially adopted by the provincial legislature on May 28, 1980. It was designed by Newfoundland artist Christopher Pratt. The flag was first flown on Discovery Day, June 24, 1980.

What the colours represent:
Blue symbolizes the sea.
White represents snow and ice.
Red is for human effort.
Gold signifies our confidence in ourselves.

What the areas represent:
The blue triangles stand for our Commonwealth heritage in its similarity to Britain's Union Jack.
The red triangles represent the island and mainland portions of the province.
The gold arrow points toward our optimism for a bright future. When hung as a banner, the arrow closely resembles a sword - a reminder of the great sacrifice made by our province's war veterans.
The white centre incorporates the Christian cross, Beothuk and Naskapi ornamentation, and the maple leafs outline. The trident emphasizes
Newfoundland and Labrador's continued dependence on and connection to the fishery and marine resources.
The provincial flag symbolizes the past, present and future of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Labrador Flag

What the colours represent:
White represents snow.
Green symbolizes the land.
Blue represents the waters of Labrador's rivers, lakes and the sea.
What the spruce twig represents:
The spruce twig in the upper left-hand corner was chosen because this tree is common in all regions of Labrador.
The three branches of the twig symbolize the three peoples of Labrador: the Inuit, the Innu, and the European settlers.
The twig grows from one stalk, representing the common origin of all humanity.
The shorter inner twig represents the past, while the larger outer twig represents a brighter future

Original Newfoundland Flag

The "Pink, White and Green" flag originated in 1843 in St. John's, Newfoundland. It is the oldest flag in continuous use of any of the former jurisdictions of what was British North America, preceding in date of origin the Canada Flag (1967), those of all the other Canadian provinces, and preceded only in date of origin by the Union Flag of Britain (1801). The Newfoundland tricolor is the only flag in the world to include the colour pink.

The Pink, White and Green Newfoundland tricolour is composed of elements of three flags: the green Irish flag, the flag of the Newfoundland Native's Society, and a Scots Flag

Why the Pink, White and Green?
excerpt from information in "Flags of The World" web site
Compiled by Temple Butler, Black Bank, Newfoundland, (date unknown).

The following provides background information in relation to the original Newfoundland Flag:

Pink represents the Tudor Rose of England, White from the Cross of St. Andrew of Scotland and Green from the Shamrock of Ireland. (The three founding races of Newfoundland).
Is the oldest flag in Canada other than the Fleur de Lys
Flag contains the Union Jack, representing Her Majesty the Queen, along with Provincial Shield, the oldest provincial coat of arms in Canada (1636).
The only flag in the world that contains the colour of pink.
The colours were adapted by the Mutual Society (1845) of which Richard Barnes the father of compulsory education in Newfoundland was President.
Flown at Government House during the Boyle and Murray administration at the turn of the century
Flown for the Prince of Wales during his visit in 1860 by the government committee of the day on all government buildings.
Flown from the block house atop Signal Hill and shown on 19th century flag charts as the flag of Newfoundland.
In June 1896 the newly formed Police force and Fire departments adapted it as their official banner.
Captain Bob Bartlett on the discovery voyage to the North Pole planted the Pink, White and Green there in 1909
Used on the cover of the sheet music for his Ode to Newfoundland when first published by Sir Cavendish Boyle (Governor)
Used by Newfoundland's greatest Prime Minister, Sir Robert Bond during his election campaign
Used in England as a background for 1911 Coronation Stamp issue
Chosen in 1975 by the Franklin Mint for an issue of silver ingots depicting the most historic banner of North America.
Dr. Whitney Smith, world leading authority on flags in a book published in 1976 by the World Flag Research Centre called the Pink, White and Green one of the most unique flags of North America.
Only flag that has the distinction of having been designed in Newfoundland.
Selected by a committee representing the Newfoundland Historic Society - the Newfoundland Historic Trust and the Newfoundland Folks Art Council.
Recommended to the Provincial Government as being the most distinctive by a majority if the Newfoundland Youth Parliament.
Selected by the Memorial University student body in their newspaper the "Muse" as the most suitable and distinctive Provincial Flag.
In Conclusion this Pink, White and Green with Shield and Jack is distinctively Newfoundland in the it represents all facets of our history and tradition.

See also "Newfoundland Tricolour"

The Red Ensign, Blue Ensign and Union Flag shown above
More information about Historic Flags of Newfoundland

The flag of the Fédération des Francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador

The flag of Nunatsiavut is the flag adopted by the Labrador Inuit Association

Learn more...

Canadian Flag

The official ceremony inaugurating the new Canadian flag was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, with Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, the members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians in attendance.

The Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the shield of the royal arms of Canada, was lowered and then, on the stroke of noon, our new maple leaf flag was raised. The crowd sang the national anthem "O Canada" followed by the royal anthem "God Save the Queen".

Brand Signature
How will the world recognize us?
They will recognize us by a symbol that represents our natural beauty, humanity, and the strength of our collective character. One that has adapted to this place over generations, survived everything the world has thrown at it, and thrived. It’s a symbol of our creativity, of our way of looking at things differently, of our belief that there really is no place on Earth quite like this place. The pitcher plant. At once both simple and amazing. Possessed of a fierce determination. Standing proud in both sun and storm, head to the wind. And always growing. It’s a symbol of who we are, and what we’re made of. One symbol, one voice. And by it, the world will recognize and know us from now on.

From Government of Newfoundland & Labrador Website
Why use the Pitcher Plant- The Importance of Symbols

Flag Protocol

Do not fly any other flag higher than the National Flag.
When placed on a wall, make sure that the National Flag is hung as if the mast were on the right side of the flag (your left).
No flag, banner or pennant should be flown or displayed above the Canadian flag when on the same flag pole.
When three flags are flown together, the Canadian Flag should occupy the central position with the next ranking flag to the left and third ranking flag to the right, as seen by spectators in front of the flags.
When two flags or more than three nation's flags are flown, use separate staffs of the same height.
In processions, carry the National Flag on the marching right.
When several other flags are carried abreast, carry the National Flag in front of the centre of the line.
When crossed with another flag, the National Flag is on the flag's right (observer's left) with the staff over that of the other flag.
When it is displayed on the pulpit or chancel in a church, the flag should be flown from a staff placed on the clergyman's right as he/she faces the congregation. All other flags on the pulpit or chancel should be on his left.
When flying the National Flag at half-mast, first raise it to the masthead, then slowly bring it down at least the flag's width from the mast head, but not more than half way.