Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Flag: Meaning, The Gems, History & Facts
Explore the blue-gold-green national flag, the three diamonds that form a V, the “Gems” nickname, and the transition from the 1979 independence flag to the current 1985 design.
What does the flag look like?
The current flag uses three vertical color fields: blue at the hoist, a wider gold band in the center and green at the fly. Three green diamonds appear in the lower half of the gold field and form a clear letter V.
Why are there three diamonds?
The three green diamonds identify Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as the “gems of the Antilles”, and their V-shaped arrangement points to the name Vincent. For the full symbolism and the origin of “The Gems” nickname, see why the flag has three diamonds.
What do blue, gold and green mean?
Blue represents sky and sea, gold reflects warmth, bright spirit and the golden sands of the Grenadines, and green represents vegetation, agriculture and enduring vitality. For the detailed symbolism, see the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag colors guide.
How did the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag evolve?
The country became independent on October 27, 1979. Its original independence flag used a breadfruit-and-coat-of-arms emblem; the simpler three-diamond design used today emerged in October 1985. For the complete chronology and the differing official dates recorded for the final 1985 change, read the flag history guide.
What was on the 1979 independence flag?
The 1979 flag placed the national coat of arms on a green breadfruit leaf in the central field. That more complex emblem was removed during the 1985 redesign. See the 1979 Saint Vincent independence flag guide for the original design in detail.
Quick facts
| Independence | October 27, 1979 |
|---|---|
| Current design | October 1985 |
| Nickname | The Gems |
| Diamonds | Three green diamonds |
| Diamond shape | Forms a V for Vincent |
| Main colors | Blue, gold and green |
FAQ
What do the three diamonds mean?
They identify the country as the gems of the Antilles and form a V for Vincent.
Why is the flag called The Gems?
The nickname comes directly from the official diamond symbolism.
When was the current flag introduced?
In October 1985. Official government sources give October 12 for adoption and October 21 for the hoisting of the final design.
What did the 1979 flag show?
The coat of arms on a green breadfruit leaf, with narrow white separators between the main vertical colors.
Sources
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — The National Flag
House of Assembly — History of the Flag
Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — The Flag
