Like every country throughout the world, the Cayman Islands have national symbols. National symbols are intended to unite people by creating an iconic representation of the nation. They can be physical, visual or verbal.
National symbols are often rallied around as part of celebrations of patriotism or aspiring nationalism and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all the peoples of the national community.
The Cayman Islands have a national song, flower, bird and tree.
The national flower is the Wild Banana Orchid. There are two varieties of this orchid, one which originated on Grand Cayman, Schomburgkia thomsoniana var. thomsoniana, and the other Schomburgkia thomsoniana var. minor, which came from Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Both varieties have scented flowers with purple lips. The petals are predominantly white on the Grand Cayman variety, and the Sister Islands’ variety has slightly smaller flowers, with pale yellow petals. The flowers appear at the top of a long curved spike at the bottom of which cluster banana-like pseudo-bulbs that give this orchid its name.
The national bird is the Grand Cayman Parrot. This bird is a subspecies of the Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala). It is endemic to the Cayman Islands – which means they are found nowhere else in the world.
The national tree is the Silver Thatch Palm. This tree has played an important role in the lives of Caymanians since the first settlers arrived on the islands in the early 1700’s. Like the national bird the tree is endemic to the Cayman Islands.
Its slender trunk often grows more than 30 feet tall. It leaves were was mainly used for thatching, but they were used to weave hats, baskets and fans.
The National Song was written in 1930 by Mrs. Leila Ross-Shier, who was an organist in the Presbyterian Church. “Beloved Isle Cayman” was composed in 1930.
BELOVED ISLE CAYMAN
O, land of soft, fresh breezes, or verdant trees so fair
With Thy Creator’s glory, reflected ev’rywhere.
O sea of palest em’rald, merging to darkest blue,
Whene’er my thoughts fly Godward, I always think of you.
Chorus
Dear verdant island, set in blue Caribbean Sea,
I’m coming, coming very soon, O beauteous isle to thee.
Although I wandered far, my heart enshrines thee yet
Homeland fair Cayman Isle, I cannot thee forget.
Away from noise of cities, their fret and carking care,
With moonbeams’ soft caresses, unchecked by garish glare,
Thy fruit with rarest juices, abundant rich and free,
When sweet churchbells are chiming, my fond heart yearns for thee.
When tired of all excitement, and glam’rous worldly care,
How sweet they shores to reach, and find a welcome there.
And when comes on the season, of peace, goodwill to man,
Tis then I love thee best of all, Beloved Isle Cayman.
The official national anthem is still God Save the Queen.
