Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis
UseNational flag, civil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion2:3
Adopted19 September 1983; 41 years ago (1983-09-19)
DesignA yellow-edged black diagonal band bearing two white five-pointed stars divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner to the upper fly-side corner: the upper triangle is green and the lower triangle is red.
Designed byEdrice Lewis
Naval ensign of Saint Kitts and Nevis
UseNaval ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1:2
DesignA white field with a centered red cross, the national flag stretched out to a ratio of 1:2 is in the canton.
Flag of the governor-general of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Proportion1:2
Adopted19 September 1983
DesignA lion statant guardant surmounted upon St Edward's Crown above a gold scroll inscribed with 'COUNTRY ABOVE SELF' on a blue field
Version with aspect ratio 1:2
Meeting between American and Kittsian diplomats; Saint Kitts and Nevis flag in background

The national flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis consists of a yellow-edged black band containing two white stars that divides diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner, with a green upper triangle and red lower triangle. Adopted in 1983 to replace the flag of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, it has been the flag of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis since the country gained independence that year. Although the flag utilises the colours of the Pan-Africanist movement, the symbolism behind them is interpreted differently.[1]

The islands of Anguilla, Nevis, and Saint Christopher formed a province of the West Indies Federation in 1958. After the federation dissolved four years later, they were granted the status of associate state as Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla.[2] However, Anguilla decided to secede from the federation in 1969,[3] owing to fears that their population, which was already small, would be further marginalised in parliament.[2] This was eventually formalised in 1980,[3] and a new flag for the remaining parts of the federation was needed, since the symbolism of the previous flag centred on the concept of a union of three.[2]

A national competition was held in the early 1980s to choose a new flag. The winning design by student Edrice Lewis was one of 258 entries.[4] It was first hoisted one minute after midnight on 19 September 1983, the day Saint Kitts and Nevis became an independent country.[5][6]

  1. ^ Shaw, Carol P. (1992). Flags. HarperCollins UK. ISBN 0-00-470114-3.
  2. ^ a b c Smith, Whitney. "Saint Kitts and Nevis, flag of". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2013.(subscription required)
  3. ^ a b Olson, James Stuart; Shadle, Robert, eds. (1 January 1991). Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 28. ISBN 9780313262579. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  4. ^ Kindersley, Dorling (3 November 2008). Complete Flags of the World. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. p. 33. ISBN 9781405333023. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  5. ^ Hagman, Harvey (20 September 1983). "Newest Caribbean Flag Is Raised Over Tiny State Of St. Kitts–Nevis". The Miami Herald. Associated Press. p. 18A. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2013.(subscription required)
  6. ^ Sewell, Dan (19 September 1983). "St. Kitts–Nevis: New nation born". The Free Lance-Star. Fredericksburg. Associated Press. p. 4. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2013.