Flag of Palau

Palau
Use Civil and state flag, civil and state ensign
Proportion 5:8
Adopted 1 January 1981
Design A light blue field with the large yellow disk shifted slightly to the hoist-side of center.
Designed by Blau J. Skebong

The flag of Palau was adopted on 1 January 1981, when the island group separated from the United Nations Trust Territory. As with the flags of several other Pacific island groups, blue is the colour used to represent the ocean and the nation's place within it. While this puts Palau in common with the Federated States of Micronesia and other neighboring island groups, the disc on the flag (similar to that on Japan's flag) is off-centre like that of the flag of Bangladesh, but in this case represents the moon instead of the sun. The current flag was introduced in 1981 when Palau became a republic.

Previously, the flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was flown jointly with the United Nations and American flags. The flag's very simple design belies the depth of meaning attributed to it. The explanation for the choice of colours is rooted in the history and customs of the Palauan people. The bright blue of the field symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, and also represents the transition from foreign domination to self-government.[1] The golden disk, which sits slightly off-centre toward the hoist, represents the full moon. The Palauans consider the full moon to be the optimum time for human activity. At this time of the month, celebrations, fishing, sowing, harvesting, tree-felling, and the carving of traditional canoes are carried out. The moon is a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility.

Japanese international relations professor Futaranosuke Nagoshi has suggested that the Palauan flag pays tribute to the Rising-Sun flag of Japan and symbolizes amity between Palau and Japan.[2] Former Palauan President Kuniwo Nakamura responded to this theory in an interview with the ambiguous statement, "That's one way of putting it."[3] John Blau Skebong, the designer of the flag, denied such allegation, saying there is no special connection between two flags.[4]

Historical flags

References

  1. ↑ Republic of Palau Convention History of the National Flag
  2. ↑ Futaranosuke Nagoshi (1987) 世界に生きる日本の心(Sekai ni ikiru nihon no kokoro, Japanese spirits being around the world). Tendensha.
  3. ↑ Reizō Utagawa (December 1999). "Travels in Republic of Palau". The financial world (in Japanese). Zaikai Kenkyujo. Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  4. ↑ "パラオ国旗の作者との対話". 2010-10-26.
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