The national flag of the Republic of Palau was adopted in January 1981, and its design is based on the Japanese national flag. It was Japan that for a long time had a mandate from the League of Nations to administer the territory of the islands.
Description and proportions of the flag of Palau
The flag of Palau is a rectangle typical of the vast majority of countries in the world. The cloth is painted in light blue, which symbolizes the waters of the Pacific Ocean. In the center of the flag there is a round yellow disc, equally distant from the upper and lower edges of the panel, but applied closer to the flagpole than to the free edge. The disc symbolically depicts the moon in the firmament. For the islanders, the cycles and phase changes of the moon play a big role. The full moon signals the start of certain agricultural activities and determines the best time for other activities in Palau.
The length of the Palau flag refers to its width in a 5: 3 ratio. It can be used by government agencies and authorities on land, and also as a civilian flag. On the water, the flag of Palau can be hoisted by citizens on private and merchant ships, as well as government vessels.
History of the flag of Palau
At the end of World War II, the Palau archipelago was freed from Japanese rule and became part of Micronesia under the jurisdiction of the United States of America. In 1947, the flag of Palau became a bright blue rectangular cloth with the emblem of the United Nations. Until August 1965, the UN flag served as the island's official state symbol.
The next flag of Palau was a dark blue rectangle, in the center of which were six five-pointed white stars in a circle. It was called the flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and lasted until 1981, when Palauans adopted the new symbol of an independent and sovereign republic.
The year 1981 is also reflected in the Palau State Seal, which is a circle with the name of the state inscribed on the edges of which, and the traditional stylized aboriginal dwelling is depicted in the center. The year 1981 is embossed at the bottom of the seal. The seal is similar in appearance to the previous one, which was placed on all official documents of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
