Montreal, Quebec

CanadaQuebecCities

May 12

The flag of Montreal is a meaningful symbol of the city’s history and cultural diversity. It features a white field with a red cross, with floral emblems placed in each of the four quarters. These emblems represent the various cultural groups that have historically called Montreal home. Designed in 1939, the flag is both a reflection of the city's heritage and a tribute to its diverse population.

The structure of the flag is simple yet powerful. It consists of a white field with a bold red St. George cross. In each of the four quarters created by the cross, there is a floral emblem: a blue fleur-de-lis in the upper hoist (top left), a red rose with green stems in the upper fly (top right), a purple thistle with green stems in the lower hoist (bottom left), and a green shamrock in the lower fly (bottom right). These emblems are outlined in black, and their details are finely drawn.

Each element of the flag carries a specific meaning rooted in Montreal’s past. The white field recalls the city's original coat of arms while the red cross itself symbolizes the Christian values that were central to the city’s founders. The four floral symbols in the quarters represent the origins of Montreal’s population. The fleur-de-lis is a direct link to the French settlers who were the first Europeans to establish a presence on the island of Montreal. It represents the city's French heritage. The red rose in the upper right corner symbolizes English Montrealers, reflecting the historical connection to England. The thistle in the lower left corner honours the Scottish community that played an important role in Montreal’s development, while the shamrock in the lower right corner represents the Irish immigrants who settled in Montreal in large numbers during the 19th century.

The creation of Montreal’s flag can be traced back to Jacques Viger, who, in 1832, submitted two designs for the city’s coat of arms. Viger, who was also the city’s first mayor, proposed a round or oval design. In 1833, the city adopted his second proposal, though the arms differed significantly from the current version. The original design featured a beaver in the lower quarter and a red saltire (an X-shaped cross) rather than the current St. George cross. The rose was also placed in the highest quarter instead of the thistle.

These early arms were modified in 1938 to better reflect the city’s evolving identity. The modified arms were adopted in March of 1938, and the city’s flag, incorporating these revised arms, was officially introduced in May 1939. This timing was significant, as the flag was raised during a royal visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.