Last modified: 2021-08-25 by rob raeside
Keywords: caribbean netherlands | bes islands | netherlands antilles | saba | antilles |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
(2:3)
image by Mark Sensen, 14 December 2003
Adopted on 6 December 1985
The red in our flag stands for Saba's great strength,
As shown in the past by her men.
The blue shows we're faithful to island and home,
While the white stand for purity true!
Shed thou, golden Star, your bright rays on our home,
And watch o'er us all, wheresoever we roam,
God grant that we'll always be true to our land,
While faith, hope, love go hand in hand.
Jarig Bakker, 1 Nov 2003
Image according to Album 2000 [pay00].
I don't have official specifications of this flag.
From <www.saba-island.com>:
"SABA'S FLAG: In 1983 the Island Territories of Saba, St. Maarten and
St. Eustatius were created. Since that time Saba has formed one of these
Island Territories. On 15 October 1984 Saba's Executive Council decided
to appoint a committee to study the issue of a Flag, Coat-of-Arms and Saba
Anthem. By Island Resolution of 18 February 1985 the committee began to
work on 1 March 1985 under the Chairmanship of Will Johnson, with
Frank Hassell, Patsy Johnson and Shirley Smith as members. The contest
for the Flag received 130 entrees. Out of 130 entrees, three were selected
by the Committee. Only one could be the winner, and from the very beginning
the entree of 18-year-old Islander Edmond Johnson, was the favorite. This
was chosen for the Saba Flag, and was adopted on 6 December 1985, the National
Day of the Island Territory of Saba.
SABA FLAG FLIES AT FULL GLORY FOR THE FIRST TIME ON SABA DAY DECEMBER
6,1985.
THE FLAG'S COLORS: The Golden Star in the center of the white diamond symbolizes the Island of Saba. The color Red stands for Unity in Strength and Courage. White stands for Peace and Friendship Blue stands for the Sea and Sky"
According information provided to me by Christopher Southworth, the
radius of the imaginary circle circumscribing the star is 3/10th of the
flag height.
Mark Sensen, 14 Dec 2003
Minister Nicolai of Kingdomrelations reached a historic agreement with
Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The islands will become separate countries,
like Aruba. That means that the co-operation between the Netherlands
and the Netherlands Antilles, as agreed by the "Koninkrijksstatuut" of
1954, will end. It is agreed that there will be a common court of justice
of the Netherlands, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. There are also agreements
on policing and prosecution. The Netherlands will take care of the debts
of the Netherlands Antilles, totalling 2,5 billion Euros. The Netherlands
Antilles will cease to exist on 1 July 2007. Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius
will become Dutch municipalities. Aruba is a separate entity since 1986.
No info about change of flags. The currency is also unclear, although
it seems that Aruba might be forced to enter the Euro-zone(!)
Source: <www.nos.nl>
reported by Stefan Lambrechts.
Jarig Bakker, 3 Nov 2007
The Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist on October 10 next year
(2010). The Netherlands Antilles have decided this last Wednesday, September
30.
The Netherlands Antilles arose in 1954 as an autonomous entity within
the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Until the achievement of the Status Aparte
(separate status) for Aruba on January 1, 1986 the Dutch Antilles consisted
of the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius
and St Maarten (St. Martin). They were represented by the six stars in
the 1959 flag of the Netherlands Antilles.
With the separation of Aruba in 1986 one star was dropped, to represent
the five islands left in the Netherlands Antilles.
The remaining five islands in the Netherlands Antilles will on 10 October
2010 go their own political way. Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius will become
special overseas municipalities of the Netherlands.
Curaçao and St. Maarten will get the same status as Aruba already has
achieved.
The current flag of the Netherlands Antilles will cease to exist. The flags of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius will become Dutch municipality flags.
The flags of St. Maarten and Curcacao will get the same status as the
flag of Aruba now.
From October 10, 2010 the Kingdom of the Netherlands will consist of:
The Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten/St. Martin (where the Kingdom
of the Netherlands will still border on la République Française).
Jos Poels, 1 Oct 2009
Saba is one of the Leeward Islands [as well], and part of The Netherlands. As such it's one of the three islands described together as The Caribbean Netherlands, though formally, it simply belongs to The Netherlands. Before their dissolution on 10 October 2010, Saba was one of The Netherlands Antilles. According to law, Saba is a public body (openbaar lichaam), consisting of the island of Saba. Of the SSS islands, the three Leeward Islands that at one time were part of The Netherlands Antilles, Saba is the Westernmost.
Saba still uses the flag it had as island territory
(eilandgebied) within The Netherlands Antilles. I have not seen any
formal re adoption, but I may well have missed it.
Though, unusual for The Caribbean Netherlands, Saba has a total of four
settlements, it has only had an island flag since 2004, and apparently
no other flags have been adopted so far. [That means that Hell's Gate
does not have a flag.]
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 11 May 2011
Motto of Saba is "REMIS VELISQUE". It is in Latin and means 'With oars
and sails' or with all one's might.
Nozomi Kariyasu and Jarig Bakker, 20 August 2002
Above the shield is a wedgero or Aubudon's Shearwater the island bird.
Jarig Bakker, 22 Aug 2002
In latin: Puffinus Iherminieri. I am not sure but I think it is "AuDuBon's
Shearwater".
Victor Lomantsov, 23 Aug 2002