On August 19, 1983, the Island Government of Sint Maarten issued a notice in which residents were invited to submit a design for a flag to be adopted as a National Flag of Sint Maarten. By means of a competition, the entire population got engaged. Within a short period of time no less than 115 entries were submitted. After reviewing the hundreds of designs submitted, the committee, which had been established by the government to consider the flag proposal, set about classifying of the designs. The Committee, after having reviewed numerous entries thoroughly eliminated various designs, and was left with only one designed by Miss Roselle Richardson a 17 year old at the time. Two years later her design was proclaimed the national flag by the Island Council on June 13, 1985, and was inaugurated on June 13, 1985, at an official ceremony held at the Government ​Administration Building in the presence of the official representatives of the people, invited guests and the general public. The words, spoken on that momentous day, June 13, 1985, at the Island Council meeting by the late Honorable Dr. A.C. Wathey, Councilman added a deeper meaning to the occasion.

“Our flag will fly subordinate to the national flags until such times when it will fly over an independent island of Sint Maarten. This will come about when all cooperation with the other islands of the Netherlands Antilles has failed, when the domination of the Central Government is not lessened and colonial laws are not abolished and the time in which our island can stand alone, standing on its own economy, deciding its own destiny, and future. The flag, which this legislature will adapt today, may not be as colorful as other states and islands in the Caribbean Basin, yet it identifies what our island and people stand for. The white is for peace and friendliness. The blue is for the environment, such as the skies, the beaches and the seas. The red is for solidarity and courage. It identifies what our island and people stand for. The Coat of Arms is a significant source of information about our island and it is a sharp break from the heraldic traditions from the traditional rule of heraldry, which was spread by European imperialism to these parts of the world.”

The flag is rectangular and has the colors red, white & blue, which are, defined in AB 1982 No. 9. The width and the length of the flag are in a ration 2:3. That consists of 2 equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays the Sint

Maarten coat of arms; the arms consists of an orange-bordered azure shield prominently displaying the white court house in Philipsburg, as well as a bouquet of yellow sage (the national flower) in the upper left and the silhouette of a Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right; the shield is surmounted by a gold rising sun in front of which is a dull grey pelican in flight; a gold scroll below the shield bears the motto: SEMPER PRO GREDIENS (Always Progressing) in letters of azure; the three main colors are identical to those on the Dutch flag.

The red, white and blue colors that are the prominent colors of the Sint Maarten Flag are based on the heraldic colors (coat of arms) of Prince William of Orange, who led the fight for Dutch independence. However, the meaning behind the colors of the flag does not have the same meaning. In the case of Sint Maarten the red stands for solidarity and courage, the white stands for peace and friendliness and the blue for the environment such as the skies, the waters and the oceans.

The National Flag of Sint Maarten should be displayed only in a manner befitting this important national symbol; it should not be subjected to indignity or displayed in a position inferior to any other flag or ensign. The National Flag always takes precedence over all other national flags when flown in Sint Maarten. The only flag to which precedence is given over the Sint Maarten flag are the personal standards of members of the Royal Family and of His Majesty’s King Representative when assuming official duties, on the buildings where these dignitaries are in residence or where they are attending a function.

Flags are symbols that identify people belonging to the group. The National Flag of Sint Maarten is a symbol of honor and pride for all Sint Maarteners. It should be treated with respect. The manner in which flags may be displayed in Sint Maarten is governed by the “Flag Ordinance” of Sint Maarten, (AB 1985, Article 5) Sint Maarten Flag Regulation”.

Due consideration should be given to flag etiquette and precedence whenever the National Flag of Sint Maarten or other sovereign kingdom flags or country flags are displayed. The location of the position of honor depends on the number of flags flown and the chosen configuration. When two flags (or more than three flags) are displayed, the position of honor is furthest to the left (to an observer facing the display). When three flags are flown, the position of honor is in the center.

Flags are flown at the half-mast position as a sign of mourning.

When a flag becomes tattered and is no longer in a suitable condition for use, it should be destroyed in a dignified way by burning it privately.