Flag and coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands

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Flag of the Pitcairn Islands
Flag of the Pitcairn Islands
UseCivil and state flag, state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1:2
Adopted2 April 1984; 40 years ago (1984-04-02)
DesignA Blue Ensign charged in the fly with the coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands
Coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands
Coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands
Adopted4 November 1969
CrestA Wreath Or and Vert on a Mount Vert a representation of the Pitcairn Island Wheelbarrow in front of a Slip of Milo leaved and fructed proper.
TorseGreen and yellow
ShieldAzure on a Pile in base Vert fimbriated Or a representation of the Bounty Bible proper and in base of the Anchor of H.M.S. Bounty Or.

The coat of arms of the Pitcairn Islands is an official emblem of the British Overseas Territory of the Pitcairn Islands and was granted by royal warrant on 4 November 1969.[1] The flag of the Pitcairn Islands, also an official emblem, consists of a Blue Ensign displaying the coat of arms and was granted on 2 April 1984.[2]

Coat of arms

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The coat of arms features several symbols relevant to the ancestral history and culture of the Pitcairn Islanders, most of whom are descended from the sailors who mutinied on HMS Bounty in 1789:[3] the blue, yellow and green of the shield symbolise the island of Pitcairn rising from the Pacific Ocean, while the anchor and Bible are symbols of the Bounty. Additionally, the Bible symbolises Christianity, which the mutineers brought to the island. The shield is surrounded by a green and gold wreath, and crested by a helmet bearing a wheelbarrow and a slip of milo, a local tree, which represent the role agriculture played in helping the mutineers survive on the island.[4][5] The slip of miro also represents the wood used by Pitcairn Islanders for crafting souvenirs.[6]

Flag

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The Pitcairn flag features a Blue Ensign with the Pitcairn coat of arms defaced on the fly.[7] The design was suggested by the Island Council in December 1980 and approved on 2 April 1984. It was first flown in May 1984, during a visit by the then-governor Sir Richard Stratton.[8]

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References

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  1. ^ Weekes 2008, pp. 17.
  2. ^ Weekes 2008, pp. A–4.
  3. ^ "The People of Pitcairn Island". Pitcairn Immigration. Government of the Pitcairn Islands. 21 August 2018. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Pitcairn Islands flag". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Flags, Symbols & Currency Of Pitcairn". WorldAtlas. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Pitcairn Islands National Symbols". CountyReports. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  7. ^ Devereux 1992, pp. 7.
  8. ^ Poels, Jos (7 August 1996). "Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands". Flags of the World. Retrieved 5 May 2022.

Sources

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