Coat of Arms

What is the Flag of Belize?

The national flag of Belize is a vibrant red, white, and blue banner that is based on the original design of the 1950s. The flag was officially adopted on September 21, 1981, and is based on the 1950s flag of the United Kingdom's former colony, British Honduras.

What Does the Belize Flag Look Like?

The flag of Belize features a royal blue field with a white disc in the center, which is slightly off-center towards the hoist side. In the center of the white disc is a red coat of arms featuring a shield depicting a ship, and two woodcutters, representing the country's logging industry, and tools of the trade. The shield is encircled by a wreath of fifty leaves, representing the country's fifty years of independence. Above the shield is an mahogany tree, the national tree of Belize, and a scroll with the national motto: "Sub Umbra Floreo," which translates to "Under the Shade I Flourish."

What is the Belize Flag Called?

The national flag of Belize is officially known as the "Flag of Belize," but is sometimes referred to as the "Belizean Flag" or the "BZ Flag."

What Does the Belize Flag Represent?

The flag of Belize represents the history and culture of the country. The royal blue field symbolizes the Caribbean Sea, while the white disc in the center is a representation of the moon, which is believed to bring peace and unity to the nation. The red coat of arms is a reminder of the former British rule and the mahogany tree is a symbol of the country's logging industry. The fifty leaves in the wreath represent the fifty years of independence, and the national motto, "Sub Umbra Floreo," is a reminder of the country's strength and resilience.

Who Created the Belizean Flag?

The Belize flag was designed in 1950 by a high school teacher in Belize City, the capital of Belize, named Anthony Hendy, who was also an amateur artist. In 1950, Belize was still part of the British Empire, and the British and Belizean governments were in discussions to create a new flag for the country.

The design of the flag was largely inspired by the Union Jack, which was the flag of the British Empire at the time. The main feature of the flag is a white diagonal stripe, representing the union between Belize and the UK. The top left corner of the flag features the official coat of arms of Belize, which includes a shield that features figures symbolizing various aspects of the country, such as the two woodcutters depicting the country’s logging industry, and the tools of agriculture and commerce. The shield is also flanked by two woodcarvings of the head of a jaguar and a mahogany tree, which are symbols of Belize’s wildlife and forestry, respectively.

The colors of the flag have deep symbolic meaning. The blue on the flag represents the Caribbean Sea, the white represents peace, and the red stands for the blood of those who have sacrificed their lives for Belize's freedom. The flag was officially adopted in September of 1950, and has been used ever since.

Anthony Hendy, the designer of the Belize flag, was born in Belize City in 1906 and became a teacher in the city in 1928. He was an avid artist and was well known for his landscapes and seascapes. He was also a member of the Belize Amateur Art Association, where he spent many years teaching and inspiring others to pursue their art.

Anthony was a great believer in the power of art to bring people together and to help promote the development of his country. He was passionate about creating a symbol that would represent the spirit of Belize, and his design for the flag was a reflection of this. His design was a beautiful blend of symbolism and meaning, and has become a symbol of pride for all Belizeans.

Anthony Hendy passed away in 1978, but his legacy lives on in the beautiful Belize flag. His work was a testament to the power of art, and how it can be used to bring people together and to create a sense of unity and pride that transcends borders. The Belize flag stands as a symbol of the country’s independence, and a reminder of the hard work of those who have gone before us.