Flag of the Cape Colony facts for kids
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| Use | Civil and state flag, state ensign |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | 1876 |
The flag of Cape Colony was the official flag used by the Cape Colony from 1876 until 1910. It was part of a system of flags used across the entire British Empire.
A Flag's Story
Back in the 1860s, the British government decided that every colony should have its own special symbol, called a "badge." This badge would be shown on flags used at sea.
- The governor of a colony would fly the badge in the middle of the Union Jack (the British flag) when sailing.
- Ships owned by the colony's government would show the badge on their Blue Ensign flag.
- Private ships from the colony could also use the badge on their Red Ensign flag, if the British Admiralty (the navy's leaders) allowed it.
This system helped everyone know which colony a ship belonged to. Even today, British overseas territories still use a similar flag system.
At first, the Cape government wasn't keen on this idea. But they eventually agreed to create a flag badge. They decided to use a special design called a coat of arms. This coat of arms would also serve as their flag badge.
The coat of arms was first seen on a flag on May 12, 1875. This was during a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the Houses of Parliament. Queen Victoria officially approved the coat of arms on May 29, 1876. Soon after, it became the official flag badge. The flag was used until May 31, 1910, when the Cape Colony became part of the Union of South Africa.
What the Flag Looked Like
The flag badge was the Cape Colony coat of arms placed on a white circle. Let's break down what the coat of arms showed:
- Shield: It had a red background. On it was a golden lion, standing tall. There were also three golden rings.
- Top Section: Above the main shield was a silver strip. This strip had three golden fleurs de lis (a fancy lily symbol) on blue circles.
- Crest: At the very top, there was a figure of "Hope." This figure represented the idea of a good future.
- Supporters: On either side of the shield, there were two animals. One was a wildebeest, and the other was a gemsbok. These are animals found in Southern Africa.
- Motto: Below the shield, a ribbon displayed the words "Spes Bona." This is Latin for "Good Hope."
See also
- Coat of arms of Cape Colony
- List of South African flags
- Flag of Goshen
- Flag of Natal
- Flag of the Natalia Republic
- Flag of the Nieuwe Republiek
- Flag of the Orange Free State
- Flag of the Orange River Colony
- Flag of South Africa
- Flag of Stellaland
- Flag of Transvaal
