State Flag of the British Virgin Islands (1960)

Discovering the British Virgin Islands in 1493, it is said that Christopher Columbus named them "Las Virgenes" in honour of the murdered virgin martyrs, St.Ursula and her companions.

In 1648, the islands were settled by the Dutch and in 1672 they were annexed by the British, remaining an overseas territory of Great Britain to this day.

The current flag dates from November 1960.

The Symbolic Meaning

The British Blue Ensign, incorporating the Union Flag or Union Jack in the hoist, indicates the British Virgin Islands historical association with Great Britain.

The Blue Ensign bears the arms of the islands in the fly. The arms, granted in November 1960, depict a representation of St.Ursula holding a burning golden oil lamp. 

She is surrounded by a further eleven burning oil lamps, each of these representing the virgins who were martyred with her.  

Beneath the shield a golden ribbon bears the word VIGILATE, which means 'Be Watchful'.

St.Ursula is the patron saint of the British Virgin Islands.