[1] It was designed by Robert Watt, the director of the Vancouver Museum at the time, and later the Chief Herald of Canada.

[2][3] It features a white field with five wavy blue barrulets, and a green pentagon on the hoist side surmounted by a gold shield with the city badge, which consists of a mural crown with crossed axe and paddle.

The white and blue symbolize Vancouver's position as a natural harbour on the Pacific Ocean,[2] while the green pentagon represents the land on which the city was built, and the forests which stood on this land.

[1] These elements echo the motto on the pre-1969 municipal coat of arms, By Sea and Land We Prosper.

The shield, helmet, mantling and crest from the city arms were placed in the centre of the flag.