Historical Canadian Flags

The Maple Leaf Flag is the national flag of Canada.

Although Canada didn't become a country until 1867, the area has a history containing many different state flags. Some of these flags were British, others French. All of them signify an important moment in Canadian history and eventually led to the Maple Leaf Flag.

Cross of St. George

England used the Cross of St. George flag as early as 1277.

This flag sports a white background with red crossbars running north and south. They connect in the center to create a cross shape.

England used this flag as early as 1277, possibly during the crusades. It stood as a national emblem for approximately 400 years. After explorer John Cabot landed in what is modern-day Canada in 1497, the land became England territory and this became Canada's first official flag.

Fleur-de-lis

This flag sports two different backgrounds on two different flags. The first has a solid blue background; the second a solid white background. Each contains three fleur-de-lis symbols in a yellow-gold color.

In 1534 Jacques Cartier landed in modern-day Quebec. He claimed the territory for King Francis I of France. According to "Historical Flags of our Ancestors," the blue version was meant to fly over land while the white version was meant to fly over the French Navy. The white version may have flown over French forts and settlements in America as well. This flag stayed the official flag until France ceded modern-day Canada to the United Kingdom in the 1760s.

Royal Union Flag

This flag sports the red cross of the Saint George, with a white cross stretching diagonally from corner to corner. A dark blue fills in all other points.

England flew this version of the Royal Union Flag in modern-day Canada after France ceded it to the UK. The design is the Cross of St. George laid over the top of the Scottish Cross of St. Andrew.

Royal Union Flag of 1801

England adopted this version of the Royal Union Flag in 1801.

This flag sports all the characteristics of the first version but also has red bars running down the white stripes.

In 1801, the countries of Great Britain and Ireland entered into a union together. They combined the Cross of St. Patrick with the previous Royal Union Flag for a new flag. The parts of North America controlled by the British and Canada flew this flag. According to "Historical Flags of our Ancestors," it is still the official royal Canadian flag (which is different from the national Maple Leaf Flag.)

Red Insignia

This flag sports a red background with the Royal Union Flag in the upper left quadrant and a shield sporting the arms of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in the right hemisphere.

Canada used this flag from 1870 to 1904. More provinces were included on the flag as they joined the confederation. By 1900 the flag contained the arms of seven different provinces. The flag underwent many other changes until the Canadian government officially replaced it with the red and white Maple Leaf design on Feb. 15, 1965.

References

• Historical Flags of our Ancestors: The Flags of Canada
• Canadian Heritage: First Canadian Flags
• Learn French Help: Flag of Canada. History and Facts on the many versions