the Cayman Islands

The flag was first adopted in 1959 as the territorial flag of the Cayman Islands. It is a British Blue Ensign bearing the territory’s coat of arms, which was granted by Royal Warrant on 14 May 1958. The coat of arms represents the islands’ connection to the United Kingdom, the three inhabited islands, their seafaring tradition, the turtle associated with the islands’ early Spanish name, and historic ties to Jamaica. Since 1999, the coat of arms has commonly been shown directly on the blue field rather than on a white disc, while both versions have continued to be used officially.