The flag of the Kingdom of Tonga, approved in November 1875, is protected from any changes by the country's constitution, which prohibits such actions.
Description and proportions of the flag of Tonga
The rectangular fabric of the flag of Tonga has a length-to-width ratio of 2: 1, standard for most flags of independent countries of the world. It can be used not only by official institutions, but also by civilians on land, as well as on private and state ships and ships of the merchant fleet. The Tongan Armed Forces and Navy have their own flags.
The main field of the flag of Tonga is colored bright red. In the upper left part of the flag, a white rectangle with a red cross is inscribed in the flag field.
Flags of Tonga are also present on the country's coat of arms. The heraldic shield of the coat of arms is divided into several zones, each of which symbolizes important and significant moments in the life and political structure of the country. The lower left sector contains an image of a dove with an olive branch - a symbol of peace and hope for the best. The upper left of the shield contains the image of three stars, which represent the main groups of the islands of the archipelago. The crown of the monarch is a symbol of royalty, and the three crossed swords are reminiscent of the greatness of the three royal dynasties of Tonga. In the center of the shield there is a white field in the form of a hexagonal star, on which a red cross is applied, as on the flag of Tonga.
On the sides of the shield are the flowing state flags of the Kingdom of Tonga, and the coat of arms is crowned with the crown of the monarch in a wreath of olive branches. The white tape at the base of the emblem bears the inscription "God and Tonga are my heritage".
The motives of the coat of arms of Tonga are present on the royal standard raised during the protocol procedures associated with the speeches or visits of the incumbent monarch.
In 1985, the flag of the country's navy was established in Tonga, which is a white cloth with the red cross of St. George, dividing the flag into four unequal parts. In the upper left margin of the flag, a red cross is inscribed, repeating the same on the state flag.
History of the flag of Tonga
The flag of Tonga in its current form was first raised back in 1864, but it was not officially adopted until 1875. Despite the fact that since 1900 the country was under the protectorate of Great Britain, the flag of Tonga remained unchanged throughout the entire period of dependence until 1970 and has retained its unchanged appearance to the present day.
