Багама Аралдарының Ұлттық Туының Тарихы мен Мағынасы

National flag

The national flag of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas consists of a black triangle situated at the hoist with three horizontal bands: aquamarine, gold and aquamarine. Adopted in 1973 to replace the British Blue Ensign defaced with the emblem of the Crown Colony of the Bahama Islands, it has been the flag of The Bahamas since the country gained independence that year. The design of the present flag incorporated the elements of various submissions made in a national contest for a new flag prior to independence.

The Bahamas became a crown colony of the United Kingdom within its colonial empire in 1717. Under colonial rule, the Bahama Islands used the British Blue Ensign and defaced it with the emblem of the territory. This was inspired by the ousting of the pirates, and consisted of a scene depicting a British ship chasing two pirate ships out at the high seas encircled by the motto "Expulsis piratis restituta commercia" ("Pirates expelled, commerce restored"). The emblem was designed in around 1850, but did not receive official approval until 1964. The Bahama Islands were granted internal autonomy in 1964. A search for a national flag began soon after, with a contest being held to determine the new design. Instead of choosing a single winning design, it was decided that the new flag was to be an amalgamation of the elements from various submissions. The new country also changed its name from the Bahama Islands to The Bahamas upon independence.

The colours of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The gold alludes the shining sun – as well as other key land based natural resourcesUnreliable source: date=August 2017 "vigour, and force" of the Bahamian people, while the directed triangle evokes their "enterprising and determined" nature to cultivate the abundant natural resources on the land and in the sea.

FlagDurationUseDescription1869–1904Flag of the Crown Colony of the Bahama IslandsA British Blue Ensign defaced with the emblem of the crown colony. This consisted of a British ship chasing two pirate ships out at the high seas and the motto "Expulsis piratis restituta commercia" (Pirates expelled, commerce restored).1904–1923Flag of the Crown Colony of the Bahama IslandsThe crown on the crest was changed to a domed Tudor crown. 1923–1953 Flag of the Crown Colony of the Bahama Islands The crown on the crest was changed to a Tudor crown. 1953–1964 Flag of the Crown Colony of the Bahama Islands A British Blue Ensign defaced with the emblem of the crown colony featuring a St Edward's crown for the new monarch. 1953–1964 Flag of the Crown Colony of the Bahama Islands A British Red Ensign defaced with the emblem of the crown colony featuring a St Edward's crown for the new monarch. 1964–1973 Flag of the Crown Colony of the Bahama Islands A British Blue Ensign defaced with the emblem of the crown colony featuring a St Edward's crown. 1964–1973 Flag of the Crown Colony of the Bahama Islands A British Red Ensign defaced with the emblem of the crown colony featuring a St Edward's crown.