Cayman Islands - National Symbols

Flag and Crest

The Cayman flag is blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag. Some older versions of the flag have the crest on a white circle.





The Cayman Islands Coat of Arms is made up of three elements; the shield, the crested helm and the motto.

In the shield, the three green stars represent the three islands; Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The blue and white wavy lines represent the sea. The top third of the shield has a gold lion "passant guardant" (walking with the further forepaw raised and the body seen from the side) on a red background, representing Great Britain

The shield is mounted with a green turtle on a coil of rope with a gold pineapple behind. The rope represents the island's traditional thatch-rope industry, the turtle Cayman's seafaring traditions, and the pineapple represents the ties with Jamaica.

The motto "He hath founded it upon the seas" is taken from Psalm 24 and acknowledge's Cayman's strong Christian traditions.

The Royal Warrant assigning "Armorial Ensigns for the Cayman Islands" was approved by Her Majesty's command on 14 May 1958.

Sir Turtle

This unofficial national logo was originally created by Suzy Soto in 1963 and sold for $1.00 to the Department of Tourism in the early 1970's. A variation of this logo, with a flying scarf, is used as the symbol of Cayman Airways.

National Tree (Silver Thatch Palm)

The Silver Thatch Palm (Coccothrinax proctorii) is unique to the Cayman Islands. Known locally as "Tatch", the upper sides of the fronds are light green, but the underside is a silvery colour - hence their name. The fronds are very tough, and their broad shape makes them an effective covering. Silver Thatch Palm leaves were traditionally used to thatch roofs, and this use can still be seen on some of the cabanas and beach bars around the islands. Although tough, cool and rainproof, the thatch needs to be replaced every 5-6 years (or 9 if, according to folklore, the leaves were cut at the time of the full moon). The fronds were also used to weave hats, baskets and fans, examples of which can be found in some tourist and craft shops.

One of the properties of the dried leaf is that it is resistant to the effects of salt water. This lead to the development of the ropemaking industry. Rope made from the Silver Thach Palm was highly prized in Cuba and Jamaica for use in the shipping, fishing and sugar industries.

Ropemaking was a laborious process. First, the "tops" (new unopened leaves) had to be harvested, often involving a long trek inland to where the palm trees grew. The tops were then hung up in bundles to dry before being split into strands. Three strands were then twisted together to make the rope. The rope was then bartered with local storekeepers for basic necessities.

© 2004 CourtneyPlatt.com	© 2004 patrickbroderickphotography.com
© 2004 patrickbroderickphotography.com

Flower (Wild Banana Orchid)

The Wild Banana Orchid (Schomburgkia thomsoniana) is one of 27 varieties of orchid that grow in the Cayman Islands.
Usually found flowering after the heavy spring rains in May/June, there are two varieties of this orchid. Both varieties have scented flowers with purple lips, but Schomburgkia thomsoniana var. thomsoniana (which grows in Grand Cayman) has petals that are predominantly white, whilst Schomburgkia thomsoniana var. minor (which is found in the sister islands) has slightly smaller flowers with pale yellow petals.

© 2004 CourtneyPlatt.com		© 2004 patrickbroderickphotography.com

Bird (Grand Cayman Parrot)

The Cayman Islands' parrots are two subspecies of the Cuban Parrot. The islands' parrots have iridescent green feathers with darker edges over the body, a white eye ring, red cheeks, black ear patches and brilliant blue wing feathers (which are only obvious when the bird is in flight). The tail has blue outer edges, with some red and yellowish green underneath.

The Grand Cayman Parrot (Amazona leucocephala caymanensis) also has a pink flush to its whitish forehead. The male is slightly larger and more brightly coloured than the female. Juvenile birds have yellowish foreheads, becoming more pink as they mature.

The Cayman Brac Parrot (Amazona leucocephala hesterna) is slightly smaller and smaller, with more black trim on its green feathers, the crown is pure white, and there is a large maroon area on the abdomen. It is now only found on Cayman Brac, having been wiped out from Little Cayman in the hurricane of 1932.

The best place to see the Parrot is in the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and on the Mastic Trail in Grand Cayman, and the Brac Parrot Reserve in Cayman Brac.


© 2004 Donald L. Cohen, MD http://www.dlcphotography.net/

© 2004 CourtneyPlatt.com	© 2004 CourtneyPlatt.com
© 2004 patrickbroderickphotography.com

National Song

The National Song, "Beloved Isle Cayman" was written by Mrs. Leila Ross-Shier, an organist in the Presbyterian Church in 1930, who sung it and played it on her guitar for many years before it was adopted as the National Song.

BELOVED ISLE CAYMAN
O, land of soft, fresh breezes, or verdant trees so fair
With Thy Creator's glory, reflected ev'rywhere.
O sea of palest em'rald, merging to darkest blue,
Whene'er my thoughts fly Godward, I always think of you.

Chorus
Dear verdant island, set in blue Caribbean Sea,
I'm coming, coming very soon, O beauteous isle to thee.
Although I wandered far, my heart enshrines thee yet
Homeland fair Cayman Isle, I cannot thee forget.

Away from noise of cities, their fret and carking care,
With moonbeams' soft caresses, unchecked by garish glare,
Thy fruit with rarest juices, abundant rich and free,
When sweet churchbells are chiming, my fond heart yearns for thee.

When tired of all excitement, and glam'rous worldly care,
How sweet they shores to reach, and find a welcome there.
And when comes on the season, of peace, goodwill to man,
Tis then I love thee best of all, Beloved Isle Cayman.

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