Posters of historic flags
Many flags have come to represent Canada and its various colonies throughout time. You may download posters of these historical flags that represent British and French colonies and regiments, the Canadian Red Ensign, and proposed Canadian flags.
- Flags of the French Regime
- Flags of British North America
- Historical flags of Canada
- Evolution of the Canadian Red Ensign
- Canadian military flags in the 20th century
- Proposed flags for Canada
Flags of the French Regime
The poster displays a selection of flags of the French Regime (1534 – 1760) and regiments (PDF format, 827 KB).
Flags of the French Regime (from left to right):
- Royal Banner of France
- French Merchant Flag
- French Merchant Flag
- French Merchant Flag
- White Flag of the French Navy
- Drapeau du Carillon
Regiments (from left to right):
- Carignan-Salière
- Compagnies franches de la Marine
- Royal-Roussillon
- Le Reine
- Béarn
- Guyenne
- Languedoc
- La Sarre
- Berry
Flags of British North America
The poster displays a selection of flags of British North America and Canada after Confederation and regiments of foot (PDF format, 964 KB).
Flags of British North America and Canada (from left to right):
- England / St. George
- Scotland / St. Andrew
- Royal Union Flag, 1707
- Royal Union Flag, 1801
- England / Frobisher's expedition, 1577
- Canadian Red Ensign, c. 1871
- Canadian Red Ensign, c. 1907
- Canadian Red Ensign, 1922
- Canadian Red Ensign, 1957
Regiments of foot (from left to right):
- 1st Regiment of Foot (The Royal Scots)
- 27th Regiment of Foot (Inniskilling)
- 47th Regiment of Foot (Lancashire)
- 55th Regiment of Foot (Westmoreland)
- 8th Regiment of Foot (The King's Regiment)
- 58th Regiment of Foot (Rutlandshire)
Historical flags of Canada
The poster displays a selection of historical flags of Canada (PDF format, 2 MB), a combination of flags of the French Regime and of British North America and Canada after Confederation.
Flags of the French Regime (1534 – 1760) (from left to right):
- Royal Banner of France
- French Merchant Flag
- French Merchant Flag
- French Merchant Flag
- White Flag of the French Navy
- Drapeau du Carillon
Regiments (from left to right):
- Carignan-Salière
- Compagnies franches de la Marine
- Royal-Roussillon
- Le Reine
- Béarn
- Guyenne
- Languedoc
- La Sarre
- Berry
Flags of British North America and Canada after Confederation (from left to right):
- England / St. George
- Scotland / St. Andrew
- Royal Union Flag, 1707
- Royal Union Flag, 1801
- England / Frobisher's expedition, 1577
- Canadian Red Ensign, c. 1871
- Canadian Red Ensign, c. 1907
- Canadian Red Ensign, 1922
- Canadian Red Ensign, 1957
Flags of regiments of foot (from left to right):
- 1st Regiment of Foot (The Royal Scots)
- 27th Regiment of Foot (Inniskilling)
- 47th Regiment of Foot (Lancashire)
- 55th Regiment of Foot (Westmoreland)
- 8th Regiment of Foot (The King's Regiment)
- 58th Regiment of Foot (Rutlandshire)
Evolution of the Canadian Red Ensign
The poster displays the evolution of the Canadian Red Ensign (PDF format, 1.2 MB).
Flags of the Canadian Red Ensign (from left to right):
- c. 1871
- c. 1873
- c. 1876
- c. 1907
- 1922
- 1957
On many versions of the Canadian Red Ensign prior to 1922, the shields composed of the arms of the provinces were often surrounded by branches of maple, oak or laurel, beavers, and crowns.
Shields (from left to right):
- c. 1871
- c. 1873
- c. 1873
- c. 1876
- c. 1876
- c. 1907
© Private collection of the Right Reverend D. Ralph Spence, Bishop of Niagara
Photos: Ray Peterkin
Canadian military flags in the 20th century
The poster displays a selection of Canadian military flags in the 20th century (PDF format, 5.5 MB).
Canadian military flags in the 20th century (from left to right):
- Royal Canadian Navy White Ensign
- Canadian Blue Ensign
- Canadian Army Battle Flag
- Canadian Red Ensign
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- Chief of the General Staff
- Mobile Command
- Canadian Forces
- Canadian Naval Jack and Maritime Command Flag
- Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessels Jack
- Land Force Command
- Air Command
- Canadian Rangers
- Queen's Harbour Master
- Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation
Proposed flags for Canada
The poster displays a selection of proposed flags for Canada (1895-1964) (PDF format, 1.2 MB).
Proposed flags for Canada (from left to right):
- Sir Sandford Fleming (1895)
- Anatole Vanier (1927)
- Gérard Gallienne (1931)
- Ephrem Côté (1939)
- Ligue du drapeau national (c. 1943)
- Parliamentary Committee (1946)
- Canadian Art / Weekend Magazine (1963)
- Fortescue Duguid and John Matheson (1945-1964)
- Proposed Flag (1963)
- Proposed Flag (1964)
- Alan Beddoe and Lester Pearson Parliamentary Committee (Group A Finalist – October 1964)
- Reid Scott (NDP – May 1964)
- George Stanley (March 1964)
- Parliamentary Committee (Group C Finalist – October 1964)
- Parliamentary Committee (Group B Finalist – December 1964)
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