What Is the Meaning Behind the Canadian Flag?

The National Flag of Canada was first flown in 1965.

Like other national flags, the designs and colors found on the National Flag of Canada symbolize Canada's people, land, history and heritage. It was adopted in the 20th Century as replacement for flags with British symbols.

History

France claimed Canada in 1534, and the first flags used in the colony were French military flags such as the fleur-de-lis. The Union Jack became Canada's flag after it was ceded to Britain in the 1760s. In the 1870s Canada adopted the Red Ensign which featured the Union Jack and the Royal Arms of Canada on a red field. The Canadian people began searching for a design for a distinctive flag free of British symbols in 1925. However, a design was not selected until 1964. It was first flown at a special ceremony in 1965.

Features

The Canadian flag is a red flag twice as long as it is wide. The center features a white square decorated with a stylized red maple leaf.

Significance

The maple tree is native to Canada and has been used as food by the aboriginal inhabitants of Canada since ancient times.It has been a symbol of the Canadian land and people since the 18th Century. It was first proposed as an official emblem in the 1830s.

Red and white became associated with France and England during the Crusades when knights rode into battle bearing crosses of those colors on tunics and flags. They became Canada's official colors in 1921.

References

• Canadian Heritage: Elements of the Flag
• Canadian Heritage: First Canadian Flags
• Canadian Heritage: Birth of the Canadian Flag