Flag of British Indian Ocean Territory

The flag has a similar design to the other dependent territories of the United Kingdom. The upper left corner depicts the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom. The origin or purpose of the wavy stripes is unknown (although it is likely that they symbolize the Indian Ocean), and their inclusion, along with the palm tree and crown, is a break with the traditional design of the flags of the British dependencies. For example, the flags of Akrotiri and Dekelia have no other symbols, only the Union Jack.

What does the flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory mean?

• the flag of the United Kingdom, i.e. the Union Jack, in the upper left corner;
• six blue waves on a white background. There is no official interpretation, but it is believed that they symbolize the Indian Ocean;
• a palm tree is a symbol of the island's tropical flora;
• The Crown of St. Edward is the main decoration of the royal regalia of Great Britain. As the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a responsible government, the crown can also symbolize "the sovereignty (or power) of the monarch".

When was the flag of the British Indian Ocean Territory approved?

The flag was approved on November 8, 1990 by Queen Elizabeth II to mark the 25th anniversary of the territory's creation. Since then, there has been a small correction, as the crown was originally a regular yellow color.

Citizens are not allowed to visit the British Indian Ocean Territory, so it is unclear where, when and how the flag is used. The island is currently leased by the United States as a military base until 2036.