Union of South Africa, 1910

The Union of South Africa came into existence on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies. Initially, the only flag with official status within it was the British Union flag. In September 1910, the Admiralty created and approved a coat of arms to be displayed on a Blue and Red Ensign. It was a shield with, in each quarter, a symbol of the four provinces of South Africa. An ox-wagon represented Transvaal, a woman with an anchor the Cape Province, two gnus (wildebeest) represented Natal and an orange tree the Orange Free State Province.