On the 12^th March 1968 the British flag, the Union Jack, symbol of british presence in Mauritius since 1810, was brought down and in its place a new flag, symbolising the birth of the newly independent nation was unfurled. 

On this historic occasion, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Prime Minister, read a message to the nation expressing his gratitude to the people, “who have made it possible for our country to take its rightful place in the comity of nations as a sovereign democratic state”. On the same day at a press conference the Prime Minister said: “Here you find East and West meet”, and the people of Mauritius have “over the years sublimated their thoughts and hearts and brought about an amalgamation of all cultures which have met together in this small island”. 

The Mauritian Flag consists of four equal horizontal coloured stripes –

Red, Blue, Yellow, Green. The symbolic meaning of the colours are:

Red: represents the struggle for freedom and independence. 

Blue: represents the Indian Ocean in the middle of which Mauritius is situated. 

Yellow: represents the new light of independence shining over the island. 

Green: represents the Agriculture of Mauritius and its colour throughout the twelve months of the year.

Coat of Arms

The coat of arms of Mauritius was granted on 25 August 1906, and depicts various attributes of the island. In the lower right quarter is a key and on the left-hand side is a white star, which are referred to in the Latin motto “Stella Clavisque Maris Indici” meaning “The Star and the Key of the Indian Ocean“. 

The supporters are a dodo and a deer each holding a sugar cane, the island’s staple crop. 

Additional details from the image:

• the dodo is extincted since the 18th century
• in the first quarter, a ship us symbolizing colonization
• in the second quarter, palm trees represent the country’s tropical vegetation. 

National Anthem

In 1968, the well known Mauritian poet, Jean Georges Prosper, MBE, won the National Anthem lyrics competition. The music of the lyrics was composed by Philippe Gentil, MBE, violinist, trumpeter and saxophonist of the Police Band.

The National Anthem lyrics and music:

Glory to thee, Motherland,

O motherland of mine.

Sweet is thy beauty,

Sweet is thy fragrance,

Around thee we gather

As one people,

As one nation,

In peace, justice and liberty.

Beloved country, may God bless thee

For ever and ever.

National Flower

The national flower of Mauritius is the Trochetia Boutoniana (Boucle d’Oreille). The flower is endemic to Mauritius and is very rare in the wild though many people have it in their yard. The Trochetia shrub reach about 2-3 metres in height, with reddish orange flowers and it flowers from June to October.