Flag of Falkland Islands
territoryThe flag of Falkland Islands was adopted on September 29, 1948. British Blue Ensign with the Falklands coat of arms. It uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and brown. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Falkland Islands |
|---|---|
| Country | Falkland Islands |
| Official Country Name | Falkland Islands |
| Capital | Stanley |
| Continent | Americas |
| Region | South America |
| ISO Country Code | FK / FLK |
| Internet Domain | .fk |
| Calling Code | +500 |
| Currency | Falkland Islands pound (FKP) |
| National Language(s) | English |
| Demonym | Falkland Islander |
| Area | 12,173 km² |
| Population | 2,840 (2018 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Falkland Islands |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 29, 1948 |
| First Used | 1948 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 29, 1948 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Red, Brown |
| Design Type | British Blue Ensign with the Falklands coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official Territorial Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #012169 | 1, 33, 105 | 99, 69, 0, 59 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #C8102E | 200, 16, 46 | 0, 92, 77, 22 | |
| Brown | #93481D | 147, 72, 29 | 0, 51, 80, 42 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the ensign field |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the Union Jack and the arms |
| Red colour | Represents the Union Jack |
| Brown colour | Represents the ram |
| Ram | The sheep farming that has long been the mainstay of the islands |
| Desire | The ship of John Davis, who sighted the islands in 1592, with the motto “Desire the Right” |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1948 | The design was first used |
| 1948-09-29 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Falkland Islands Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Falkland Islands
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 78 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 29, 1948 |
| Oldest Version | 1948 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Anguilla, Ascension Island, Australia |
| Unique Feature | British Blue Ensign with the Falklands coat of arms |
Other british-style ensign flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Falkland Islands
- The shield shows the Desire, the ship of the English navigator John Davis, above a ram representing the sheep farming that has dominated the islands' economy.
- The motto Desire the Right is a play on the ship's name.
- The flag of Falkland Islands was officially adopted on September 29, 1948.
- The flag in its present form is 78 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: British Blue Ensign with the Falklands coat of arms.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 55 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and brown.
- The blue on the flag stands for the ensign field.
- The white on the flag stands for the Union Jack and the arms.
- The red on the flag stands for the Union Jack.
- Ram: The sheep farming that has long been the mainstay of the islands.
- Desire: The ship of John Davis, who sighted the islands in 1592, with the motto “Desire the Right”.
- The design belongs to the "British-style ensign" family, shared with 22 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Anguilla, Ascension Island and Australia.
- Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory, administered by the United Kingdom.
- Football and horse racing are the most popular sports.
- The flag is flown everywhere on 14 June, Liberation Day.
- The capital is Stanley. The currency is the Falkland Islands pound (FKP).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Falkland Islands
When was the flag of Falkland Islands adopted?
The flag of Falkland Islands was officially adopted on September 29, 1948.
What do the colours of the flag of Falkland Islands mean?
Blue for the ensign field, white for the Union Jack and the arms, red for the Union Jack and brown for the ram.
Is Falkland Islands an independent country?
Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory, administered by the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Falkland Islands?
Football and horse racing are the most popular sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of Falkland Islands represent?
Ram — The sheep farming that has long been the mainstay of the islands. Desire — The ship of John Davis, who sighted the islands in 1592, with the motto “Desire the Right”.
What are the proportions of the flag of Falkland Islands?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 55 national flags.
When is the national day of Falkland Islands?
It falls on 14 June, Liberation Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Falkland Islands?
The capital is Stanley. The currency is the Falkland Islands pound (FKP) and the language spoken is English.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Falkland Islands?
The closest matches are Anguilla, Ascension Island and Australia, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Falkland Islands?
It uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and brown.