Europe ยท JE / JEY
Flag of Jersey
The Jersey flag is white with a red diagonal cross, or saltire. In the upper part of the cross is the red shield of Jersey with three gold lions, topped by a gold crown. It is the flag of the Channel Island and Crown Dependency, not New Jersey.
What the flag of Jersey looks like
The flag of Jersey is a white rectangle with a red saltire, the diagonal cross that runs from corner to corner. The proportions are 3:5. In the upper part of the cross is the badge of Jersey: a red shield with three gold lions (heraldic leopards) walking with their heads turned to face forward. A yellow Plantagenet crown sits above the shield.
The saltire has the same shape as the cross of Saint Patrick, which caused some confusion with Ireland, but the origin of Jersey's saltire is unknown. For a small version, see the Jersey flag emoji, or get a larger file from the Jersey flag download page.
Jersey flag colors
Color codes measured from the official design. Use HEX for the web and CMYK for print.
HEX
#FFFFFFRGB
255, 255, 255CMYK
0, 0, 0, 0HEX
#CF142BRGB
207, 20, 43CMYK
0, 90, 79, 19Jersey flag meaning and symbolism
The flag has no formal explanation of its colors. The shield shows the island's heraldic device, three leopards (the heraldic term for a lion passant guardant), which many islanders wanted as the flag itself; the three leopards are in fact more widely used than the flag as a national symbol. The current flag is a compromise between those who wanted to keep the traditional red saltire and those who wanted the arms.
The origin of the red saltire is unknown. A plain red saltire had been used unofficially since at least the 1830s. A 1906 letter by the Bailiff describes it as used to signal the neutrality of the Channel Islands during wars between England and France.
History of the Jersey flag
Jersey became attached to England after the Norman conquest in 1066 and stayed loyal to the Crown after mainland Normandy was lost in 1204. It is not part of the United Kingdom. It is a self-governing Crown Dependency, and the United Kingdom is responsible for its defense and international relations.
The plain red saltire on white was used unofficially as the island's flag. The move to a new flag began in 1977 with the Silver Jubilee, because many felt the plain saltire was not distinctive enough and was confused with the cross of Saint Patrick. The badge and crown were added; the flag was adopted by the States of Jersey on 12 June 1979, proclaimed by Queen Elizabeth II on 10 December 1980 and first officially hoisted on 7 April 1981. It is the first officially adopted flag of Jersey.
Jersey and New Jersey flags
Many people searching for a Jersey flag are looking for the flag of the US state of New Jersey. That flag is quite different. It is buff (a golden-yellow) with the state coat of arms, which shows two goddesses, Liberty and Ceres, and was adopted in 1896. The Channel Island and the US state are not connected by their flags, although the state is named after the island. For nearby territories, see flags of Europe.
Jersey flag facts
| Country | Jersey |
|---|---|
| Flag adopted | 1981 |
| Proportions | 3:5 |
| Colors | #FFFFFF, #CF142B |
| Flag emoji | ๐ฏ๐ช |
| Country code | JE, JEY (ISO 3166) |
| Capital | Saint Helier |
| Continent | Europe |
| Population | 103,267 |
| Area | 118 kmยฒ |
| Currency | pound sterling, Jersey pound |
| National anthem | God Save the King |
Jersey flag: frequently asked questions
Does Jersey have its own flag?
Yes. Jersey's flag is a white field with a red saltire, the shield of Jersey with three lions, and a gold crown. It was adopted by the States of Jersey in 1979 and first officially hoisted in 1981.
Is Jersey in the UK or not?
No. Jersey is a British Crown Dependency, which means it is self-governing and not part of the United Kingdom. The UK handles its defense and foreign affairs.
What does the Jersey flag look like?
It is white with a red diagonal cross. The coat of arms, a red shield with three gold lions and a yellow crown, is in the upper part of the cross.
What is New Jersey's state flag?
The New Jersey flag is buff-yellow with the state coat of arms in the center. It was adopted in 1896 and is not related to the Jersey flag.
What country's flag is ๐ฏ๐ช?
The flag emoji ๐ฏ๐ช shows the flag of Jersey, a Crown Dependency in the Channel Islands.
What did the old Jersey flag look like?
Before the badge was added, Jersey used a plain red saltire on white, unofficially since at least the 1830s. The current flag, adopted on 12 June 1979 and first officially hoisted on 7 April 1981, added the shield and crown. The pre-1981 flag is still used in Liberation Day re-enactments on 9 May.
What do the Jersey flag colours mean?
No official meaning is recorded for the colors. The origin of the red saltire on white is unknown, and the red shield with three gold lions is the island's heraldic device, with a yellow Plantagenet crown above it. The three leopards are in fact used more widely than the flag as a national symbol.
Why does the Jersey flag look like the St Patrick's cross?
Jersey's red saltire has the same shape as the cross of Saint Patrick, but its origin is unknown. Confusion with that Irish symbol was one reason islanders wanted a more distinctive flag in 1977, which led to the badge and crown being added to the plain saltire.
