The Jersey flag's red saltire in a white field has been around since the 1820s.
The crest is the Jersey arms and the crown, a Plantagenet crown, is a reminder that the crest has been used by Jersey since the time of Edward I.
The Bailiwick of Jersey is a Crown Dependency and is not part of the UK.
This guidance explains when and how flags should be flown on government buildings when requested by the Bailiff on behalf of His Majesty the King.
When the Bailiff requests flags to be flown
Requests to fly flags apply to:
- buildings owned by the Crown or the Government of Jersey
- Parish Halls
- all buildings used by States agencies or other governmental organisations
You are asked to fly the Jersey flag, which was granted to the Bailiwick by Royal Warrant in December 1980.
The Jersey flag is the official flag assigned by the Sovereign for use in the Island.
Flying the Jersey flag and the Union flag
You may fly the Union flag as well as the Jersey flag.
When both are flown, the Jersey flag should normally take precedence because the Sovereign has designated it as the Island's flag.
On some occasions, such as Liberation Day and Remembrance Sunday, both the Jersey flag and the Union flag are flown to reflect the Island's links with the UK.
Flying the Union flag correctly
When flying the Union flag, make sure it is the right way up.
The broader white diagonal stripe must be above the red diagonal stripe on the half nearest the flagpole.
When to raise and lower flags
Unless instructed otherwise:
- raise flags at 8am on the day requested
- lower them at sunset on the same day
- flags should not be raised before the day or left up afterwards
Flying flags at half‑mast
Half‑mast means flying the flag two‑thirds of the way up the flagpole.
The top of the flag must be at least the depth of the flag below the top of the pole.
For some flags or flagpole sizes, this may need to be more.
Requests to fly flags at half‑mast will be issued through official channels and are likely to cover:
- funerals of members of the Royal Family
- funerals of foreign rulers
- funerals of Prime Ministers and former Prime Ministers
- other events of national significance
If a flag‑flying request falls on the same day as a funeral or other solemn occasion, flags should be flown normally unless you are specifically told to fly them at half‑mast.
Flying flags on other occasions
You may fly flags on other days, but you should make sure this does not mean flags are left up too early before, or too long after, official flag days.
Weekend flag flying
Flying flags at weekends can be difficult for some departments because flags cannot be raised in advance. Departments may decide whether to fly flags at weekends based on the nature of the building and the prominence of the flagpole.
Flags will fly from the States and Royal Court building on all official flag days.
Encouragement for Islanders
Although this guidance is for government buildings, the Bailiff encourages Islanders to fly the Jersey flag or the Union flag on significant days listed above.
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