Canada Flag: Meaning, 11-Point Maple Leaf, History, Ratio & Facts
Explore Canada’s red-and-white Maple Leaf flag, its 1964–1965 creation, the 11-point leaf, exact 2:1 proportions, designers and official flag etiquette.
What does the Canadian flag look like?
The National Flag of Canada is a red-and-white flag twice as long as it is high. A white square occupies the centre, with equal red vertical panels on each side. A stylized red maple leaf with eleven points sits in the middle of the white square.
Why does the flag have an 11-point maple leaf?
The eleven points do not represent provinces or territories. George Stanley’s selected concept originally used a 13-point leaf, but graphic artist Jacques St-Cyr simplified it to eleven points so the shape stayed clear when viewed from a distance or moving in the wind.
How did Canada get the Maple Leaf flag?
Before 1965, the Union Jack had official standing while the Canadian Red Ensign was widely used as a Canadian symbol. In 1964, the issue of a distinct national flag became the subject of the Great Flag Debate. A parliamentary committee selected George Stanley’s single-leaf concept on October 22, 1964. The House of Commons approved the design in December, followed by the Senate.
Who designed the Canadian flag?
The final flag was a collaborative result. George F. G. Stanley proposed the single-maple-leaf concept. Jacques St-Cyr refined the leaf into its current 11-point form. George Bist contributed to the final graphic proportions, while MP John Matheson played an important role in the parliamentary selection process.
Canada flag ratio and construction
Canadian Heritage specifies a 2:1 length-to-height ratio. One official diagram uses 64 units by 32 units. The central white field is a square 32 units wide, leaving two red panels of 16 units each. In simple terms, the vertical widths form a 1:2:1 pattern.
| Overall ratio | 2:1 |
|---|---|
| Example dimensions | 64 × 32 units |
| Centre white field | Square, equal to flag height |
| Side panels | Equal red panels, each half the width of the centre |
| Central emblem | Stylized 11-point red maple leaf |
What do red and white mean?
Red and white are Canada’s national colours. Canadian Heritage notes their long historical use and also records popular associations with red autumn maple leaves and white winter snow. Accurate production flags should follow the applicable Canadian General Standards Board standards rather than relying only on screen colour values.
Canadian flag etiquette and half-masting
The flag may be flown day or night and does not need to be illuminated at night. It should not be written on, altered, covered, or dipped as a salute. Faded or torn flags should be replaced. Federal half-masting follows formal Government of Canada rules, although those rules are not automatically binding on provinces, municipalities, private organizations or individuals.
Canada flag FAQ
When was the Canadian flag adopted?
The design was proclaimed on January 28, 1965 and first raised on February 15, 1965.
Do the 11 points represent the provinces?
No. The eleven-point shape was chosen for visual clarity.
What is the Canada flag ratio?
2:1.
What did Canada use before the Maple Leaf flag?
The Union Jack had official standing, while versions of the Canadian Red Ensign were widely used.
Can Canada’s flag be flown at night?
Yes. Canadian Heritage says it may be flown at night without illumination.
