Flag of Cayman Islands

The flag of the Cayman Islands consists of the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom, and the coat of arms of the islands on a blue background. The first version of the flag was adopted on May 14, 1958, and differed from the current one only in the design of the coat of arms: from 1958 to 1999, the coat of arms was in a white circle and was almost half the size.

Meaning of the flag of the Cayman Islands

The red, blue, and white colors of the Union Jack symbolize strength, justice, and peace, respectively. Let's analyze each element of the Cayman Islands coat of arms:

• The upper part of the shield depicts a golden lion on a red background, which symbolizes the connection with the United Kingdom;
• In the lower part of the shield, three five-pointed green stars symbolize the three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, and blue wavy lines symbolize the sea;
• Above the shield is a turtle, which symbolizes the traditional Caymanian turtle fishery;
• The turtle sits on intertwined bands of blue and white silk, symbolizing the Cayman rope;
• Above the turtle is a pineapple, symbolizing the islands' connection with Jamaica;
• The inscription below the shield “He hath founded it upon the seas” is a quote from the 24th Psalm of the Bible (“He founded it upon the seas”), reflecting the Christian heritage of the islands and their connection to the sea.

Interesting facts about the Cayman Islands:

• “Cayman” means “crocodile” in Spanish, so the islands got their name from the numerous crocodiles spotted by the first settlers in the 19th century. The story goes that these settlers exterminated the crocodiles, but the name remained. One version of how the crocodiles came to the islands may be related to floating trees from Cuba that were occasionally washed up on the Cayman coast;
• The Cayman Islands are not actually islands, but part of a mountain known as the Cayman Ridge, which rises from the ocean floor to an altitude of over 25,000 feet. However, these islands have a flat surface. The highest point on the islands is at the eastern end of Cayman Brac and is about 150 feet above sea level;
• One of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean, Seven Mile Beach, contrary to its name, is not quite seven miles long. In fact, it's a little shorter, stretching for about 6.3 miles along the west coast of Grand Cayman. Nevertheless, it remains an iconic and highly regarded beach destination, known for its pristine white sands, crystal clear turquoise waters and picturesque surroundings;
• Caymanite is a unique and fascinating rock found exclusively in the Cayman Islands. It is a type of limestone that exhibits bright colors and intricate patterns. It is formed over millions of years by the accumulation and compression of corals, shells, and other marine organisms. The amazing hues of the stone range from earthy reds and browns to vibrant oranges, yellows and blues. This fascinating color palette is the result of the influence of various minerals, including iron oxide, manganese oxide and trace elements present in the rock.