National flags with a canton include the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tuvalu, Greece, Malaysia, Liberia, Chile, Togo, Taiwan (Republic of China), and Uruguay. A canton is the rectangular area in the upper-hoist corner of a flag, and at least a dozen countries build their design around one.
What Is a Canton?
In vexillology and heraldry, the canton is the rectangular section in the top corner nearest the flagpole, known as the upper-hoist quarter. Traditionally it occupies the most prestigious part of a flag because it stays visible even when the flag hangs limp against the pole. Placing a symbol there gives it maximum prominence.
The most famous canton is the blue field of stars on the flag of the United States. Many flags of former British colonies also use a canton, often containing the Union Jack, a legacy of maritime ensign traditions. A canton can hold a smaller flag, a constellation of stars, a cross, or a single emblem.
National Flags That Use a Canton
Cantons With Stars
- United States: A blue canton bearing 50 white stars, one for each state, set against 13 red-and-white stripes. It is the archetypal star canton.
- Chile: A blue canton with a single white five-pointed star, beside white and red horizontal bands. The lone star gives the flag its nickname, La Estrella Solitaria.
- Togo: A red canton containing a white five-pointed star, set over five green-and-yellow horizontal stripes.
- Liberia: A blue canton with a single white star, over 11 red-and-white stripes, a design closely modeled on the United States flag.
Cantons With the Union Jack
- Australia: A Union Jack canton, with the Commonwealth Star below it and the Southern Cross constellation in the fly.
- New Zealand: A Union Jack canton with four red, white-bordered stars of the Southern Cross on a blue field.
- Fiji: A Union Jack canton on a light blue field, with the national shield in the fly.
- Tuvalu: A Union Jack canton on a light blue field, with nine yellow stars arranged to map the country's islands.
Other Distinctive Cantons
- Greece: A white cross on a blue canton in the upper-hoist corner, above nine alternating blue-and-white horizontal stripes.
- Malaysia: A dark blue canton bearing a yellow crescent and 14-point star, beside 14 red-and-white stripes.
- Taiwan (Republic of China): A blue canton with a white sun of twelve rays, on a red field.
- Uruguay: A white canton containing the golden Sun of May, above nine white-and-blue horizontal stripes.
What the Canton Represents
Because the canton is the most honored space on a flag, countries reserve it for their most important symbol. Star cantons often mark independence or statehood, as with the American stars for each state or Chile's lone star of unity. Union Jack cantons signal historical ties to Britain within the Commonwealth. Cross and sun cantons, as in Greece and Uruguay, carry religious or national heritage. In every case, the canton concentrates meaning in the corner the eye and the wind treat as most prominent.
Quick Questions
What is the canton on a flag?
The canton is the rectangular area in the upper-hoist corner of a flag, nearest the flagpole. It is considered the most prestigious position and often holds a flag's most important symbol, such as the blue star field on the United States flag.
Why do so many flags have a Union Jack in the canton?
Flags such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tuvalu place the Union Jack in the canton because they were once part of the British Empire. The design follows the British blue ensign tradition used for colonial and maritime flags.
Does the United States flag have a canton?
Yes. The blue rectangle of 50 white stars in the upper-hoist corner of the United States flag is its canton, sometimes called the union. It is the best-known example of a canton in the world.