Saint Kitts and Nevis Flag: Meaning, Stars, History, Ratio & Protocol
Explore the 1983 independence flag, Edrice Lewis’s design, the meaning of its colors and stars, official 3:2 proportions, Pantone references and display protocol.
What does the flag look like?
The flag is divided diagonally from the lower hoist toward the upper fly. Green fills the upper portion and red the lower portion. A black diagonal band edged in yellow separates the two fields, and two white five-pointed stars sit on the black band.
What do the colors and stars mean?
The official meaning of the stars is hope and liberty; government sources do not define them as one star for each island.
Who designed the flag?
Edrice Lewis designed the national flag as part of a competition held for the independence period. The design became official on September 19, 1983, the day Saint Kitts and Nevis became independent.
The independence flag replaced colonial-era symbolism with a new national design built around the federation’s land, climate, African heritage and political history.
Official ratio and Pantone colors
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies a 3:2 ratio for flags used on land and at sea, with a common standard size of 3 × 5 feet.
| Color | Official reference |
|---|---|
| Red | Pantone 186 C |
| Green | Pantone 349 C |
| Yellow | Pantone 108 C |
| Black | Pantone Black C |
| White | White |
Flag protocol
Official guidance says the flag should be clean, unfaded and repaired if torn. It is flown daily from public buildings from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and no other flag should be displayed above it.
The Ministry also publishes rules for grouped flags, crossed staffs, parades, half-mast use, citizen display and ceremonial lighting after 6:00 p.m.
Explore the Saint Kitts and Nevis flag cluster
FAQ
When was the flag adopted?
September 19, 1983.
Who designed it?
Edrice Lewis.
What do the two stars mean?
Hope and liberty.
What is the flag ratio?
3:2.
What does the black band mean?
African heritage.
Sources
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis — National Symbols
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — National Flag Protocols
