Flags, Symbols & Currency of US Virgin Islands
The Flag of the U.S. Virgin Islands were officially adopted on May 17, 1921.
The Flag of the U.S. Virgin Islands features a white background with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I. The coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in its right talon and three arrows in the left with a superimposed shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel. The Eagle symbolizes The United States of America. The white color stands for purity. The olive branch represents peace. The three arrows represent the three major islands (Saint Croix, Saint Thomas and Saint John) which makeup the Virgin Islands. The V and I initials stand for the Virgin Islands. The flag has a width-to-length proportion ratio of 2:3.
History of the Flag of U.S Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands were under the rule of different European countries for several years until 1754, when it was solely occupied by Denmark. During the Danish rule, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) flag featured a blue background with the Dannebrog (Danish flag) in the canton. On March 31, 1917 there was a transfer of power from Denmark to the United States. Initially the United States Flag was used to represent the USVI. The 3rd governor of USVI decided in having the country’s own flag, and requested Percival Wilson Sparks -a cartoonist for designing the flag. The current modern flag of USVI was adopted in 1921.
Historical flags of the US Virgin Islands
Colonial Flag of the US Virgin Islands
Flag of the US Virgin Islands
Symbols of US Virgin Islands
The National Coat of Arms of U.S. Virgin Islands
The national coat of arms/seal of U.S. Virgin Islands were designed by Mitchlyn E. Davis, Sr and was adopted on January 1, 1991. The Seal features the three main islands that makeup the Virgin Islands: St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. The Flag of United States and the Flag of Denmark is also featured on the seal. In the center of the seal is the national bird of US Virgin Island: a bananaquit; and a ribbon bearing the national motto: “United in Pride and Hope”. The outer rim of the seal reads, "Government of the United States Virgin Islands."
National Motto
“United in Pride and Hope”
National Anthem
Being an insular territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the official national anthem of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
However, a regional anthem titled, "Virgin Islands March" is generally sung. The music of the anthem have been composed by Sam Williams and Alton Adams. The lyrics have been contributed by the general public. The regional anthem was adopted in 1963.
The Currency of US Virgin Islands is the United States dollar
The current official currency in U.S. Virgin Islands is the United States dollar (USD). It is subdivided into 100 cents.
Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25 cent and $1 coins are currently in circulation.
Banknotes: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 notes are currently in circulation.
United States dollar Banknote
United States dollar Coin
