The British Virgin Islands flag dates to the early nineteenth-century and features a Blue Ensign with the Union Jack Flag in the canton. The coat of arms depicts Saint Ursula holding a flaming gold oil lamp and surrounded by a further eleven lamps, which represent her 11,000 virgin followers.
The British Virgin Islands were named by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after the Saints virgin followers. The motto ‘Vigilate’ from Latin is ‘be watchful’.
