• White is representative of snow and ice;
• Blue symbolizes the sea;
• Red represents human effort; and
• Gold our confidence in ourselves.

The blue triangles, most reminiscent of the Union Jack, represents the Commonwealth heritage which has so decisevely shaped Newfoundland's present. The red triangles represent the mainland and island parts of the province reaching forward together. A golden arrow points the way toward what will be a bright future.

But the design of the flag encompasses much more symbolism, for example, the white centre incorporates the Christian Cross, Beothuck and Naskapi ornamentation, and the outline of the maple leaf. The image of the trident also stands out, emphasizing our continued dependence on and connection to the fishery and the resources of the sea. Also, hung as a banner, the arrow assumes the aspect of a sword which is to remind us of the great sacrifice of the province's war veterans.

Since the whole flag resembles a Beothuck pendant as well as all of the above, the design takes us from our earliest beginnings and points us confidently forward. It therefore, mirrors Newfoundland's past, present and future.

The flag was chosen by the House of Assembly on May 28, 1980, was officially adopted on June 6, 1980, and first flown on Discovery Day, June 24, 1980, the anniversary of the discovery of Newfoundland by John Cabot in 1497. It was designed by Newfoundland artist Christopher Pratt.

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In 1974, Mike Martin, the Member for Labrador South, with his wife Patricia, helped design and make the Labrador Flag to "make the point that Labrador was different". He did so in an act comprised in some measure of political mischief aimed at Joey Smallwood, who was not interested in cultivating any feeling of self-identity in Labrador.

Yet Martin's action gave voice to the feelings of the people of Labrador that they were left out of considerations at St. John's, and were a forgotten and easily ignored people. These feelings were widespread, and particularly strong at that time. There was a sense of cultural identity, and a desire to forge a stronger bond between the peoples of Labrador.

This flag is meant to be a permanent declaration of the unique identity of the people of Labrador and their common heritage.

• White represents snow; the element which, more than any other, coloured the culture and dictated the lifestyles of Labrador.
• Green symbolizes the land; the bountiful land is the connecting element that unites the diverse cultures.
• Blue represents the waters of Labrador's rivers, lakes and the sea; the waters have been the highways and nurtured our fish and wildlife.

What the spruce twig represents:

• The spruce twig in the upper left-hand corner was chosen because this tree is common in all regions of Labrador. The spruce has provided Labrador's shelter, transport, fuel, and in an indirect way, food and clothing since the spruce forests became the environment for the wildlife which gave us meat for our tables, skins for our clothing and trade. It was from the spruce that we sawed our planks and timber for our canoes, komatiks and houses.
• The three branches of the twig symbolize the three peoples of Labrador: Settlers, Innuit (Eskimos), Innu (Indians), and the Metis, those of mixed blood.
• The twig grows from one stalk, representing the common origin of all humanity.
• The twig is in two sections. The outer growth is longer than the inner growth. This occurs because in the good growing years the twig grows longer than in the poor years. Thus, the inner and shorter twig reminds us of times past, while the longer twig represents our hope for the future.
  

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A popular and widely-flown flag in Newfoundland for much of the 19th century, and well into the 20th, was the Native Flag. It is also known as the Pink, White, & Green or Newfoundland Tri-Colour.

The Pink, White, & Green is composed of elements of three flags: the green Irish flag, the flag of the Newfoundland Native's Society, and a Scots Flag with green at the hoist and pink at the fly.

The Newfoundland Tri-colour originated in 1843 in St. John's, Newfoundland. It is the oldest flag in continuous use of any of the former jurisdictions of what was British North America, preceding in date of origin the Canada Flag (1967), those of all the other Canadian provinces, and preceded only in date of origin by the Union Flag of Britain (1801). The Newfoundland Tri-color is the only flag in the world to include the colour pink.

It is said that the Newfoundland native, Captain Robert Bartlett, who accompanied Admiral Peary on his ultimate polar expedition in 1909, planted the Pink, White, & Green about 60 miles of the North Pole.

The first flag to specifically represent Newfoundland seems to have borne a green fir tree upon a pink field. In use early in the nineteenth century, it is likely that this flag was based on a similar flag, but with a white field, that had been flown by the colonists in New England.

Although the pink flag with its tree apparently initially represented all islanders, when a modified version of it was adopted by the Native's Society in the late 1830s, it began to be perceived as the symbol of the English Protestant portion of the community. Irish Catholic immigrants responded by flying a green flag bearing the celtic harp. In the 1840s, the division between these two groups was exacerbated each spring as up to 10,000 sealers would converge on St. John's before boarding ships for the sealing grounds. During these times, competition was frequently accompanied by religious animosity and a prominent display of opposing flags.

The Native Society was formed in the year 1840. The first native flag had a pink background, with two clasped hands extending to the elbows, and a spruce tree in the centre. The tree rose from the joined palms, and underneath, running parallel to the arc made by the arms was the word "Philanthropy." The arms and the tree were green and the letters were white. The pink represented the English Tudor rose, under which Newfoundland was first settled, and the tree symbolized the land.

The story is that during annual wood hauls for the Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals, which took place while sealers were in town in the spring, considerable rivalry developed between the two groups involved. The Protestant English marked their wood piles with the pink flag of the Natives' Society, while the Catholic Irish used green banners. In February 1843, during a big haul of wood, a fight broke out between the "Bush Borns" and the "Old Country," as to who had the biggest haul of wood. In an attempt to defuse the conflicts, a delegation representing the government and leaders of both communities sought the council of Bishop Michael Fleming, who was respected by all.

Tradition has it that after pondering the problem, the Bishop asked that the pink flag and the green flag of the two factions be brought to him. Then joining them with a white handkerchief, which he said represented the white of peace from the flag of St. Andrew (the banner of Scotland), he handed it to the assembled group and said, "Go in peace."

The new flag was adopted by the Natives' Society, and soon became Newfoundland's unofficial flag. Indeed, it could be said that the flag was the banner of the working-class Newfoundlanders as opposed to governments. The following song about the tri-colour flag was frequently sung during the early 20th century, and became an alternative national anthem. It was written by Archbishop Michael F. Howley in 1902.

The Flag of Newfoundland The Pink, White, & Green The pink the rose of England shows, the green St. Patrick's emblem bright, while in between the spotless sheen of Andrew's cross displays the white. Then hail the pink, the white, the green, our patriot flag long may it stand. Our sirelands twine their emblems trine to form the flag of Newfoundland. CHORUS: Fling out the flag o'er creek and crag. Pink, white, and green, so fair, so grand. Long may it sway o'er bight and bay Around the shores of Newfoundland. What e'er betide our ocean bride that nestles midst Atlantic's foam Still far and wide we'll raise our pride, our native flag o'er hearth and home. Should e'er the hand of Fate demand, some future change in our career, We ne'er will yield on flood or field the flag we honour and revere. CHORUS by Archibisop Michael F. Howley

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There are only about 3,200 French speaking people in this province. Their flag is based on the French tricolour and Acadian flag, with three unequal panels of blue, white, and red. Two yellow sails are set on the line between the white and red panels. The sail on top is charged with a spruce twig, while the bottom sail is charged with a pitcher flower. These emblems are outlined in black.

The sails represent early Basque, Breton and French fishermen that came to the area, and the explorer Jaques Cartier. At the same time, they are symbols of action and progress. The yellow is taken from the star of the Acadian flag.

The spruce twig is the emblem of Labrador and is also found on the Labrador flag. Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial flower is the insect eating pitcher plant. This was used on Newfoundland's coins from the time of Queen Victoria until 1938. It was adopted as the province's floral emblem in 1954.

The flag was adopted by the Fédération des Francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador to represent the Franco-Terreneuviens in October 1986.

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1870-1904 Blue Ensign

With the Union Jack in the upper corner and the Badge of Newfoundland on the fly, the Blue Ensign was worn by governmental shipping, and the Red Ensign was worn by commercial shipping, until Confederation with Canada in 1949. Thereafter, although these flags were reaffirmed by law in 1951, their use became extremely limited.

1870-1904 Red Ensign

In Newfoundland, the Red Ensign was a merchant ensign (meant to be flown at sea only), and not a provincial land flag like those of Ontario and Manitoba. Technically the land flag of colonies was the Union Flag, but as in most colonies the people adopted the red ensign as their own.

1904-1965 Blue Ensign

Early in the 20th century, the Newfoundland government, in common with other British colonies, decided to adopt the red ensign as an official flag, with the Newfoundland badge on the fly. The design on the seal was modified for this purpose in 1903 by Adelaine Lane, a niece of Governor Sir Cavendish Boyle, and approved by the British government the following year. It was superseded by the Union Jack from 1931-1934 only.

1904-1965 Red Ensign

After the 1939-1945 war, in a referendum held to decide Newfoundland's constitutional future, just over 52 percent of those voting favoured union with Canada, and this took effect 31 March 1949. It had no immediate effect on the flags in use, and the Revised Statutes of 1952, Chapter 272 retained the Red and Blue Ensigns, and reaffirmed the Union Jack as the 'national flag'. The ensigns were discontinued in 1965, when Canada adopted its current flag, but the Union Jack continued to be the provincial flag until 1980.

Curiously, in 1939, during the royal visit of their majesties, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Shield of Arms once had been used upon a red ensign.

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1862-1870 Governor's Flag

Until Newfoundland entered Confederation in 1949, it had its own Governor. A Union Jack would have been the usual flag to fly on Government House, but there are one or two references to distinguishing flags for colonial governors in the 1860's, before the introduction of defaced Union Jacks in 1870. An 1862 chart of St. John's house flags shows the earliest-known flag used by a Governor of Newfoundland. At Government House, there flew a Cross of Saint George with an antique gold crown in the centre on a white ground.

1870-1904 Governor's Flag

In 1869, the Admiralty edict stated that while at sea, Governors should fly a Union Flag defaced with arms or a badge. Showing a clear lineage from the earlier flag, the badge approved by the Admiralty for the Governor's flag bore a nonstandard crown above the words TERRA NOVA all on a white roundel. This badge, surrounded by a laurel wreath and placed in the centre of the Union Flag would form the flag of the Governor of Newfoundland from about 1870 until the near the end of the century.

1904-1975 Governor's Flag

In a striking departure from traditional usage around the beginning of the twentieth century, Governors H.H. Murray (1895-1898) and C. Boyle (1901-1904), chose to fly the Pink, White & Green Newfoundland tricolour at Government House in St. John's. Yet, it was during the tenure of Governor Sir Cavendish Boyle that Newfoundland's allegorical badge was introduced.

1975-1987 Lieutenant Governor's Flag

The British derived flags of Newfoundland differ from those of other Canadian provinces because Newfoundland did not join the Canadian confederation until 1949. Thus the garland on the flag of the governor was laurel not maple. Even after 1949, the wreath remained of laurel rather than of maple leaves, and so it stayed up until the mid-1970's.

Since 1987, a series of new personal standards has been approved by the Governor General which bears the shield of arms of the province, circled with ten gold maple leaves and surmounted by a royal crown, on a field of blue. This design had been agreed upon at a lieutenant governors' conference and each province requested in turn that the design be authorized by the Governor General. Only Québec and Nova Scotia have not yet adopted the new design.

The personal standard is flown at the residence and from the flagpoles of buildings wherein official duties are carried out (it is not flown inside a building, but outside to indicate the presence of the Lieutenant Governor on the premises). However, it is customary to place the personal standard in the Lieutenant Governor's study.

The standard is flown from the Legislative Building when the Lieutenant Governor is present for the opening of the Legislature, the granting of royal assent, and the prorogation of the session; the standard also flies on the Legislative Building when the Lieutenant Governor has his/her office in that building.

The standard is never lowered to half-mast. On the death of a lieutenant governor, the standard is taken down, until a successor is sworn in. The standard is also never flown on a church or inside a church.

The standard of the Lieutenant Governor has precedence over any other flags, including the national flag of Canada. Only the Queen's Personal Canadian flag has precedence over the Lieutenant Governor's standard.

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The Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack, represents our Commonwealth heritage which has so decisively shaped our present.

Like Canada, Newfoundland began an increasing use of the Union Jack on land early in the twentieth century. However, unlike Canada, Newfoundland, in 1931, adopted legislation making the Union Jack its official national flag. In 1952, a few years after entering Confederation, the new province reaffirmed the official use of the Union Flag, even retaining the original description of it as the national flag. It is in this sense that the Union Flag was the provincial flag of Newfoundland from March 31, 1949 until a new flag was adopted in 1980.

If having the Union Flag as a provincial flag was fine within the province, it did not serve the province well elsewhere. In the rest of Canada it was variously viewed as the flag of the United Kingdom. Repeatedly, delegations from Newfoundland would discover to their embarrassment that the mainlanders would just refuse to reserve the use of the Union Flag to represent their island province. Either Newfoundland would be left unrepresented, or one of the flags devised for the Garden of the Provinces in Ottawa would be used.

In January 1974, as the twenty-fifth anniversary of Confederation approached, the government attempted to make redress. Submitted to the Newfoundland House of Assembly was a proposal for a provincial flag in the form of a white ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and the shield from the arms of Newfoundland on the fly. Although the government hoped to have it flown officially by the anniversary date of March 31, the flag met with so much opposition that the plan was dropped.

Yet the present state of affairs was untenable, so there ensued a gentle running debate conducted through letters to newspapers, radio talk shows and lobbying societies. Newspaper columnist, Nish Colin, summarized the dilemma poetically with:

	"No flag to call our own flies in the breeze Pink, White and Green conjures up bigotries. The Union Jack, with patriotic touch Is Britain's which we cannot claim as such."
- "Rhymes of the Times", The Daily News (St. John's, May 2, 1980)

Newly elected in March 1979, Premier Brian Peckford determined to settle the issue. In November 1979, he appointed a commission consisting of four government and three opposition members. For two months the committee travelled to all parts of the province, and heard testimony from individuals and groups. The chairman, John Carter, sought to come as close as possible to the sentiments of the public, and create "something that is attractive and mirrors the province's traditions" in order to make "the nicest provincial flag in all of Canada".

Using the elements the committee had found to be uppermost in the minds of the public, Newfoundland artist, Christopher Pratt, drafted many proposals, six of which he submitted to the committee. Pratt's favourite was the one the committee, and ultimately the House of Assembly chose. It was given royal assent on June 6, 1980 and raised for the first time on June 24, Discovery Day, the anniversary of the arrival in Newfoundland of John Cabot in 1497.

The flag is indeed one of the most unusual in Canada, incorporating neither arms nor other flags. Yet it is reminiscent of many symbols historically linked to Newfoundland, including the Union Flag, Beothuk and Naskapi ornamentation, a maple leaf, and a trident. As Carter commented at the unveiling, "I think there is enough symbolism in the flag to last for the next 600 years."

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The official ceremony inaugurating the new Canadian flag was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, with Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, the members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians in attendance.

The Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the shield of the royal arms of Canada, was lowered and then, on the stroke of noon, our new maple leaf flag was raised. The crowd sang the national anthem "O Canada" followed by the royal anthem "God Save the Queen".

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