US Virgin Islands

3×5' nylon flag of the United States Virgin Islands.

The eagle on the Virgin Islands flag holds three arrows, one for each of the main islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John.

Design

A white field with a simplified version of the US coat of arms, a yellow eagle with a shield on its breast, holding a sprig of laurel and three blue arrows, between the blue letters V and I.

History & Symbolism

The United States bought the islands from Denmark in 1917. The flag was adopted on 17 May 1921, during the period of US Navy administration. The eagle and shield signal the islands' bond with the United States, the laurel stands for peace, and the arrows for the three islands.

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 17 May 1921
• Colors: white, yellow, blue, red
• Emblem: eagle with three arrows

Vexillographer's Note

Before 1917 the islands were the Danish West Indies, and the Danish flag still has a following there, especially on Transfer Day, 31 March.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864