Flag of Tristan da Cunha
What the flag looks like
A Blue Ensign with the island's coat of arms in the fly: a shield with four albatrosses around a central diamond, held by two rock lobsters, topped by a naval crown and a longboat, with the motto "Our faith is our strength".
What it means
The albatrosses and rock lobsters represent the island's wildlife and fishing, and the longboat its seafaring islanders.
How to remember it
Tristan da Cunha's
Blue Ensign is guarded by two upright red rock lobsters, the catch the island lives on.
Fun facts
- Tristan rock lobster, shown holding the shield, is the island's main export.
- With no airstrip and a voyage of about six days from Cape Town, Tristan is often called the most remote inhabited island in the world.
Tristan da Cunha at a glance
- Status
- Part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- Sovereign state
- United Kingdom
- Capital
- Edinburgh of the Seven Seas
- Region
- Part of a British Overseas Territory
- Population
- 222
- Area
- 207 km²
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- British pound (£)
- Flag adopted
- 2002
Flags often confused with Tristan da Cunha
- Saint Helena: Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha are both Blue Ensigns from the same territory with a shield in the fly. Saint Helena's shield shows a ship between cliffs; Tristan's shows albatrosses and is held by two rock lobsters.
- Ascension Island: Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are both Blue Ensigns with a shield held by sea creatures. Ascension's supporters are green turtles with a ship above; Tristan's are red rock lobsters with a longboat and naval crown above.
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands: South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha are both Blue Ensigns whose shields are held up by animals. South Georgia's supporters are a fur seal and a penguin with a reindeer on top; Tristan's are two red rock lobsters with a longboat on top.