The flag of the Cayman Islands consists of a Blue Ensign defaced with the British overseas territory's coat of arms.

[1] The Spanish initially named the islands Las Tortugas due to the sizable population of turtles living in the nearby waters.

[1][2] Less than three decades later, the territory was referred to as the Caimanas or Caymanes, in regard to the alligators (caimánes) that were purportedly native to the isles.

[4][10] The yellow lion on the red field is a conspicuous symbol of the Kingdom of England, the Cayman Islands' mother country.

[4][11] The motto, "He hath founded it upon the seas", is derived from the Book of Psalms 24:2,[4] and recognises the Christian patrimony of the islands.

[5] The Blue Ensign is also utilised on the flags of eight of the thirteen other British Overseas Territories, with their coats of arms in the fly being the sole difference between them.

[5] The only exception to this recommendation is when the Union Jack is flown, in which case the flag of the Cayman Islands yields pride of place to it.

[13] When it becomes damaged and is no longer fit to be publicly displayed, it is permissible to dispose of the territorial flag, ideally via burning.