Bahamas .bs

Meaning of the Flag

The national flag of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas consists of a black triangle situated at the hoist with three horizontal bands: aquamarine, gold and aquamarine. Adopted in 1973 to replace the British Blue Ensign defaced with the emblem of the Crown Colony of the Bahama Islands, it has been the flag of The Bahamas since the country gained independence that year. This was inspired by the ousting of the pirates, and consisted of a scene depicting a British ship chasing two pirate ships out at the high seas encircled by the motto "Expulsis piratis restituta commercia" ("Pirates expelled, commerce restored").

Meaning of Flag Colors

Blue, Black, Gold

Flag History

1. 1850
   The emblem was designed in around 1850, but did not receive official approval until 1964.
2. 1869–1904
   

   Flag in use 1869–1904.
3. 1904–1923
   

   Flag in use 1904–1923.
4. 1923–1953
   

   Flag in use 1923–1953.
5. 1953–1964
   

   Flag in use 1953–1964.
6. 1973–present
   

   Current national flag, in use since 1973.

During the 18th century, the Bahama Islands were a crown colony of the United Kingdom. In the 19th century, the flag used by the Bahamas Islands was the British Blue Ensign was used with the addition of the crown colony’s emblem. Despite being in use since the mid-1800s, the emblem was not made official until the 1960s.

It was following the elections of 1972 that negotiations began to give the Bahama Islands their independence. The following year, the Bahama Islands became independent, changing its name from the Bahama Islands to the Bahamas. The new flag was chosen as a result of a contest. Dr. Hervis Bain is credited with the design, which incorporated elements from several contest submissions.

The modern flag of the Bahamas was officially adopted on July 10, 1973. Its design has not changed since that time.

Fun Facts

Because of the lenient regulations of registration, the flag of the Bahamas is commonly used as a flag of convenience by foreign-owned ships. The Bahamian national flag was first hoisted on July 10, 1973 at midnight.

Location