Flag of Nauru
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Following the independence of Nauru, the flag of Nauru (Nauruan: anidenin Naoero) was raised for the first time. The flag, chosen in a local design competition, was adopted on independence day, 31 January 1968. The design symbolically depicts Nauru's geographical position, with a star just south of the Equator.
 | |
| Use | State flag and civil ensign  |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | 31 January 1968 |
| Design | A blue field with a thin yellow horizontal stripe across the centre and a large white twelve-pointed star directly below the stripe on the hoist side. |
Proportions and symbolism
The flag reflects the geographical location of the island nation.
The narrow gold stripe with a width of 1⁄12 of the length of the flag represents the Equator.[1][2] The stripe along with the star signifies the location of the island in the Pacific Ocean one degree south of the Equator.[3] The separation of the blue flag cloth into two equal parts recalls the saga, that the first inhabitants were to have been brought to Earth from two boulders.[citation needed]
Nauru itself is symbolised by a white 12-pointed star. The twelve points on the star represent the island's twelve original tribes.[1] The following twelve tribes are:[4]
- Deiboe
- Eamwidara
- Eamwit
- Eamwitmwit
- Eano
- Eaoru
- Emangum
- Emea
- Irutsi
- Iruwa
- Iwi
- Ranibok
The blue signifies the Pacific Ocean,[1] while the white colour of the star represents phosphate,[3] a former major natural resource of the country.
Construction sheet
Flag construction sheet
.svg)
Creation and adoption
The flag was created by a resident employed by the Australian flag manufacturer Evans. It was officially adopted on 31 January 1968. Unlike some flags of Pacific nations (e.g., that of Tuvalu), Nauru's flag has evoked little controversy.[citation needed]
Other flags of Nauru
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
1969–present | Flag of the Nauru Pacific Line | A blue field with a large white twelve-pointed star in the centre with an anchor inside the star.[5] |
![](#/media/File:Nauru_"Distinguishing_Flag"_Proposal_(1924).svg) |
1924 | Proposed flag for Nauru | A white field with a blue field with 15 five-pointed stars in the canton.[6] |
Historical flags of Nauru
| Flag | Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
1888–1899 | When Germany took control of the island in 1888, it was administered by German New Guinea Company, whose flag was flown in the island.[3] | A white field with the German tricolour on the canton and defaced with a black lion with a red fleur-de-lys. |
 |
1899–1914 | In 1899, the German Imperial Government took over the administration of German New Guinea through the Imperial Colonial Office, the flag of which was flown until the conquest of the colony during the First World War.[3] | A German tricolour with the coat of arms in white circle. |
.svg) |
1914–1942 | Flag used during Australian occupation of Nauru (1914–1920) and period as League of Nations mandate under Australian administration. New Zealand and the United Kingdom were co-mandatories under the Nauru Island Agreement but their flags were not used.[7] | A Blue Ensign defaced with the seven-point Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the Southern Cross in the fly half. |
.svg) |
1942–1945 | Flag of Nauru under the Japanese occupation of Nauru during World War II.[3] | A white field with a red disc in the centre. |
|
1945–1968 | Flag used following restoration of Australian control in 1945 and subsequent period as a UN Trust Territory under Australian administration from 1946.[3] | A Blue Ensign defaced with the seven-point Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter and the five stars of the Southern Cross in the fly half. |
|
1968–present | Current flag of Nauru adopted on 31 January 1968 following its independence from the trusteeship.[3] | A blue field with a thin yellow horizontal stripe across the centre and a large white twelve-pointed star directly below the stripe on the hoist side. |
See also
- Coat of arms of Nauru
- Nauru graph, named after its resemblance to the 12-pointed star on the flag