Like all countries in the world, the Cayman Islands have national symbols. National symbols are meant to unite people by creating an iconic representation of the nation. They can be physical, visual or verbal.
National symbols are often brought together as part of celebrations of patriotism or aspiration to nationalism and are designed to be inclusive and representative of all peoples in 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 native to 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 on top of a long, curved spike at the bottom of which are grouped banana-like pseudobulbs 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 it is not found anywhere else in the world.
The national tree is the Silver Thatch Palm. This tree has played an important role in the lives of Cayman Islanders since the first settlers arrived on the islands in the early 18th century. Like the national bird, the tree is endemic to the Cayman Islands.
Its slender trunk often grows over 30 feet tall. Its leaves were mainly used for thatching, but were used to weave hats, slippers, 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 CAYMAN ISLAND
Oh land of soft cool breezes, or green trees so lovely
With the glory of Your Creator, reflected everywhere.
O sea of the palest emerald, merging with the darkest blue,
Every time my thoughts fly to God, I always think of you.
Chorus
Dear green island, located in the blue of the Caribbean Sea,
I am coming, I am coming very soon, oh beautiful island for you.
Though I wandered far away, my heart still consecrates you
Fair of the Cayman Islands homeland, I can’t forget.
Far from the noise of the cities, from their load and care of transport,
With the soft caresses of the moonbeams, without the control of a garish glow,
your fruit with rare juices, abundant rich and free,
When the sweet church bells ring, my loving heart longs for you.
When you are tired of all the excitement and glamorous mundane care,
How sweet are the shores to reach and find there a welcome.
And when the season comes, of peace, goodwill to man,
That’s when I love you more than anyone, Beloved Isle Cayman.
The official national anthem remains God Save the Queen.