Description of the museum flag by G.P. Klinghardt, South African Museum,
Sagittarius Volume 2, number 3: The flag was designed in August 1987 by Dr C. Pama, the renown South African
herald.
The symbolism of the flag and the coat-of-arms reflect the many interests
of the South African Museum. Of the three colours, gold can be seen to
represent the earth sciences, blue the marine sciences, and red the other
life sciences (including the human sciences), while a combination of blue
and gold can be taken to signify the astronomical sciences. The charges
can be understood to commemorate the most important historical research
of the Museum: the rare Colophon beetles stand for Entomology as the oldest
research department, the lion for Natural History, and the three rings
for the Humanities.
In this heraldically unique and distinguished flag, the South African
Museum has at last obtained a significant public symbol not only of its
autonomy as an important contemporary cultural institution, but also of
the history and continuity which are part of its character.
Jarig Bakker, 25 Jan 2002
![[South African Museums flag]](../images/z/za@sam.gif)
image
by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 25 Jan 2002
See also:
