The flag of the Canadian province of Quebec consists of a white cross on a blue background with white fleurs-de-lis in each quadrant. The fleurs-de-lis and colors are historically French in nature, as France controlled much of the region in colonial times. The colors blue and white represent Heaven and the Virgin Mary, and the fleurs-de-lis represent purity. This flag was adopted on January 21st, 1948, and Quebec was the first Canadian province to officially adopt a flag.