As the above picture of the Bahamas Flag indicates the overall colors are aquamarine blue , gold and black
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The meaning of the colors on the Bahamas flag represent the following:
Gold - the sands of the nation
Blue - the waters that surround the Bahamas
Black - the black triangle stands for unity
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Bahamas flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side ) is called the Hoist and pictures a black equilateral triangle that comes in from the left edge of the flag
The flag features three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine blue (top), gold and aquamarine blue
The national flag of Bahamas was adopted on July 10, 1973
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Bahamas Flag Etiquette
Bahamas Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Bahamas as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Bahamas
State Flag of Bahamas
Military Flag of Bahamas (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Bahamas
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Bahamas Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Bahamas should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Bahamas flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Bahamas should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Bahamas flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Bahamas, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Bahamas Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Bahamas flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Bahamas flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Bahamas flag to the top, then lowering the Bahamas Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Bahamas flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Bahamas flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Bahamas flag
The Bahamas flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Bahamas flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Bahamas flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Bahamas Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Bahamas Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Bahamas
Location:
Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba
Land Size of Bahamas : 13,940 sq km
Climate / Weather of Bahamas : tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Population of Bahamas : 299,800
Former Name(s) : N/A
Capital City of Bahamas : Nassau
GDP of Bahamas : $5.099 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : tourism, banking, e-commerce, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Main Colors of Bahamas Flag : blue , gold and black
Concise History of the Bahamas & its Flag
The Ciboney, Arawak and the Carib Indians first inhabited the islands
The Caribs and the Arawaks were tropical forest people who probably originated in South America and were related the people found anywhere from Panama to Brazil
Not discovered by Europeans until 1492 when Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World
Before the arrival of the Spanish the Carib males had a justified reputation as the most feared warriors of the Caribbean
The Caribs and the Arawaks were progressively wiped out by the after-effects of the Spanish conquest, with the more peaceful Arawak tribes suffering the greater losses
The British settled on the islands in the 17th century
It was made a British colony in 1783
1914 - 1918 WW1
1939 - 1945 WW11
August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Arawakan and Cariban words such as avocado, barbecue, buccaneer, canoe, cannibal, hurricane, iguana and maize have become part of the English language
The Bahamas became independent in 1973
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
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In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
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The Flag and Nation of the Bahamas
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of the Bahamas has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
