Isle of Man Flag

Description

The Isle of Man flag is available from Flags Online in full-size and desk formats, printed on both sides and made to last outdoors.

About the Isle of Man Flag

Three armoured legs joined at the thigh and bent at the knee, running clockwise around a central point, form the triskelion at the heart of the Isle of Man flag. Set against a plain red background, the emblem is one of the most immediately recognisable in the flags of the British Isles and has represented the island for centuries in one form or another.

Colours and Symbolism

The red field sets off the golden triskelion, whose three legs are often said to represent the island standing firm whichever way it is turned, echoing the Latin motto associated with Manx heraldry, “Quocunque Jeceris Stabit” – wherever you throw it, it will stand. The symbol’s origins are debated, with one theory linking it to the ancient triskelion of Sicily, whose Greek name Trinacria referred to that island’s three-cornered shape, possibly carried to the Isle of Man through medieval dynastic connections.

History of the Isle of Man Flag

The triskelion has been associated with the island since at least the late thirteenth century, appearing around the time of a change in ruling dynasty in 1265. It was used unofficially on Manx vessels from the mid-1800s, and the Admiralty approved its use at sea in 1889. The Isle of Man flag as a national flag was formally adopted on 1 December 1932, and the design was standardised in 1968 to fix the direction and position of the three running legs. A separate civil ensign, combining the triskelion with the Union Jack, was approved by royal proclamation in 1971 for use by Manx-registered vessels. Earlier depictions of the triskelion were less standardised than today’s version, with the direction of the legs and the styling of the armour varying between carvings, coins and seals produced over the centuries before the flag itself was formalised.

Flying and Displaying the Flag

The Isle of Man flag flies outside government buildings, schools and many homes across the island, and is a familiar sight at Tynwald Day celebrations each July, when the island’s parliament meets outdoors in its traditional open-air ceremony. Visitors often notice it flying alongside the Union Jack, reflecting the island’s status as a self-governing Crown dependency rather than a fully independent state.

Isle of Man Flag Sizes and Pricing

• 180 x 120cm — R860
• 22 x 15cm Desk Flag (10 units) — R800
• 10 x 15cm Desk Flag (10 units) — R650
• 90 x 60cm — R400

Material and Construction

Made from 100% polyester bunting material and digitally printed on both sides. Hemmed all around with two rows of stitching and finished with a polyester webbing heading. Rope and toggle for hoisting included.

Supplied in packs of 10. Printed on both sides onto polyester and supplied with a black plastic stick and removable base — take the base off and it doubles as a hand waving flag.

Ordering and Delivery

Every Isle of Man flag is printed to order and dispatched from our Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Johannesburg branches, with courier delivery nationwide. Bulk and school orders are welcome — contact us for volume pricing on quantities of 10 or more.

Additional information