[3] The territory was claimed by the Spanish in 1555 under a detachment dispatched by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor,[1] but they did not establish any settlements there.

However, the territory did not utilise its own symbols until it became a Crown colony, with the Union Jack serving as the official state flag of the islands.

[1][3] It instead became a Crown colony in 1960,[1] and a royal warrant was consequently issued on 15 November of the same year granting the territory its own coat of arms.

[4] The coat of arms of the British Virgin Islands were blazoned by the royal warrant of 15 November 1960 as follows:[5] Vert a Virgin proper vested Argent sandalled or holding in the dexter hand by the chain an Ancient Lamp Gold enflamed also proper between eleven like Lamps five in pale to the dexter and six in pale to the sinister, together with the motto Vigilate.The colours and objects on the coat of arms carry cultural, political, and regional meanings.

[4][8] Both the shield and motto from the arms are featured on the flag of the British Virgin Islands,[6] and on the standard of the territory's governor.