Winnipeg, Manitoba

Apr 22

The flag of Winnipeg, the capital and largest city of Manitoba, is a striking and symbolic representation of the city’s identity. Adopted officially by the city in October 1975, the flag features a design that integrates the city’s coat of arms, symbolizing its past, present, and future. The flag is primarily used for ceremonial and official purposes, distinguishing it from the logo flag adopted in 2001, which is used for promotional purposes. While both flags share visual elements, the official flag carries the city's deep-rooted symbolism tied to its agricultural heritage and geographic characteristics.

The flag of Winnipeg is divided diagonally with a narrow white stripe running from the lower hoist to the upper fly. The upper left triangle is blue, symbolizing the clear prairie skies, while the lower right triangle is yellow, representing the city's agricultural roots, particularly wheat farming. At the center of the flag is a large white disc, containing a modified version of the city’s coat of arms in full color.

The coat of arms features a shield divided into two sections. The upper section is light blue with thirteen golden yellow stars arranged in a 4-5-4 pattern, representing the thirteen municipal governments that amalgamated to form metropolitan Winnipeg in 1971. The lower section of the shield is green, with a prairie crocus flower, which is Manitoba’s provincial flower, symbolizing Winnipeg as the provincial capital and a prairie city. Above the shield is an image of a gatehouse from Fort Garry, a historic Hudson’s Bay Company trading post established in 1822, reflecting Winnipeg’s origins. The city’s motto, Unum Cum Virtute Multorum (meaning “one with the strength of many”), appears on a white scroll beneath the shield, symbolizing unity among diverse peoples and the strength that emerged from the amalgamation of the thirteen municipalities.

The blue and yellow design was first used during Winnipeg’s centennial celebrations in 1973, marking a turning point in the city's modern identity. Though the city has never officially declared these as its formal colours, they have become widely associated with Winnipeg, particularly in the context of the flag and branding. The official flag was registered as a trademark in 1976, solidifying its status as a symbol of the city.