List of Fijian flags

This is a list of flags used in Fiji.

National flag

FlagDateUseDescription
1970–presentFlag of FijiA Light Blue Ensign with the Union Jack in the canton and the shield from the Coat of arms of Fiji in the fly. The light blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the Union Jack the country's historical ties to the United Kingdom. The shield is derived from the country's coat of arms, which was granted by Royal Warrant in 1908. It is a white shield divided by a red St. George's Cross and with a red band at the top. The images depicted on the shield represent agricultural activities on the islands and the historical associations with the United Kingdom. At the top of the shield, a British lion holds a cocoa pod between its paws. The upper left is sugar cane, upper right is a coconut palm, the lower left a dove of peace, and the lower right a bunch of bananas.

Presidential flag

FlagDateUseDescription
c.1987–presentStandard of the President of FijiA dark blue field featuring the outline of the full Coat of Arms of Fiji in golden-yellow and a traditional knot and whale's tooth beneath it.

Ensigns

FlagDateUseDescription
1970–presentCivil Ensign of FijiA Red Ensign with the Union Jack in the canton and the shield from the Fijian coat of arms in the fly.
1970–presentGovernment Ensign of FijiA Blue Ensign with the Union Jack in the canton and the shield from the Fijian coat of arms in the fly.
1970–presentNaval Ensign of FijiA White Ensign with the Union Jack in the canton and the shield from the Fijian coat of arms in the fly.
1970–presentCivil Air Ensign of FijiA dark blue cross outlined in white on a light blue field with the Union Jack in the canton and the shield from the Fijian coat of arms superimposed over the right arm of the cross.
1987–presentCustoms Ensign of FijiA blue British ensign featuring the shield from the Fijian Coat of Arms with the word "CUSTOMS" beneath it in the fly.

Historical flags

National and colonial flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1924 - 1970Flag of the Colony of FijiA blue British ensign with the full Fijian coat of arms in the fly.
1908 - 1924Flag of the Colony of FijiA blue British ensign with the full Fijian coat of arms on a white disc in the fly.
1883 - 1908Flag of the Colony of FijiA blue British ensign with a white disc in the fly displaying a crown surmounted by a lion with the word "FIJI" beneath it.
1877 - 1883Flag of the Colony of FijiA blue British ensign with a white disc in the fly containing a badge of foliage and crossed war-clubs with a superimposed shield bearing a mermaid looking at herself in a hand mirror. The badge is based on what was then the seal of the Supreme Court of Fiji.
1874 - 1877Flag of the Colony of FijiThe British Union Flag, first raised on 10 October 1874 to mark Fiji's cession to the United Kingdom, and served for three years as Fiji's sole official flag.
1871 - 1874Flag of the Kingdom of FijiA vertical bicolour of white and light blue with a white dove holding an olive branch on a red shield surmounted by a crown.
1869 - 1871Flag of the Confederation of LauA horizontal bicolour of white and red with a red cross in the canton.
1867 - 1869Flag of the Kingdom of BauA horizontal tricolour of white, blue and red, with a golden sunburst in the centre and a crown in the canton.
1865 - 1867Flag of the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of FijiA white eight-pointed star on a dark blue field.

Royal flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1871 - 1874Royal Standard of FijiA white field bearing a white dove on a red shield surmounted by a crown. Below the shield is a scroll bearing the country's motto; RERE VAKA NA KALOU KA DOKA NA TUI (Fear God and honour the King).
1869 - 1871Personal flag of the King of LauA vertical bicolour of red and white with a white cross in the canton.

Viceregal flags

FlagDateUseDescription
1970 - 1987Flag of the Governor-General of FijiA dark blue field featuring a St. Edward's Crown surmounted by a lion, over the word "FIJI" on a whale's tooth.
1908 - 1970Flag of the Governor of FijiA Union Jack defaced with the full coat of arms of Fiji on a white disc in the centre.
1883 - 1908Flag of the Governor of FijiA Union Jack defaced with a white disc in the centre containing a crown surmounted by a lion with the word "FIJI" beneath it.
1877 - 1883Flag of the Governor of FijiA Union Jack defaced with a white disc in the centre containing a badge of foliage and crossed war-clubs with a superimposed shield bearing a mermaid looking at herself in a hand mirror.

Ensigns

FlagDateUseDescription
1970–1987Customs EnsignA blue British ensign featuring the shield from the Fijian Coat of Arms with the word "H.M. CUSTOMS" beneath it in the fly.
pre–1970Civil EnsignA red British Ensign defaced with the Coat of Arms of Fiji on a white disc in the fly.
1881–1966Customs EnsignA blue British ensign with a white lower half defaced with the letters "HMC" within.
1871-1874Civil EnsignThe Civil Ensign of the Kingdom of Fiji. A white and blue bicolour with a red shield in the centre featuring a white dove. Similar to the national flag of the time, but without the crown.

Proposed alternative flags

2005 proposal

On 30 November 2005, Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs called for the restoration of the country's full Coat of Arms to the flag, including two warrior figures on either side of the shield, along with an outrigger canoe at the top and the national motto, Rerevaka na kalou ka doka na tui ("Fear God and honour the Queen") below it.

2015 proposals

On 3 February 2015, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama confirmed that the flag of Fiji would be replaced. He announced that a national competition to design the new flag would be held, with the aim of hoisting this flag on 11 October 2015, the 45th anniversary of independence. During the competition, over 2,000 designs were submitted, before a final shortlist of 23 was selected by Fiji's National Flag Committee on 9 June 2015. However, on 17 August 2016, Bainimarama publicly announced that the government was abandoning plans to change the flag.

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