In October 1978, the national flag of Tuvalu was officially approved as the symbol of the country along with its coat of arms.
Description and proportions of the flag of Tuvalu
The rectangular flag of Tuvalu is the classic form of all flags of the independent states of the world. Its length and width are related to each other in a 2: 1 ratio. The main field of the Tuvalu flag is bright blue. In the upper quarter closest to the flagpole is inscribed the flag of Great Britain, under whose protectorate the archipelago was in 1892. On the right side of the banner there are nine five-pointed stars, which symbolize the atolls that make up the Tuvalu archipelago. The location of the stars on the flag repeats the geographical location of the islands in the Pacific Ocean. The blue color of the banner is the endless waters of the ocean.
The flag of Tuvalu, according to the law of the country, can be used both on land and on water for any purpose. It can be lifted by citizens and government agencies, the army and naval forces, civilian ships and the merchant fleet.
History of the flag of Tuvalu
Being under a protectorate and colonial dependence on Great Britain, the state of Tuvalu used as a flag a typical cloth adopted in the overseas British possessions. The flag of Great Britain was inscribed on the blue field in the upper quarter at the pole, and the coat of arms of Tuvalu was located on the right half.
In 1978, the modern Tuvalu flag was adopted, which remained on flagpoles until 1996. Then Prime Minister Latasi introduced a new state symbol with the aim of starting the process of changing the political system and abolishing the monarchy. According to his plan, Tuvalu was to become a republic, and the design of the flag assumed a wide central blue stripe running horizontally and separated from the upper and lower red fields by thin white stripes. To the left of the pole, a white isosceles triangle with the coat of arms of the state was cut into the blue field. Eight five-pointed white stars were placed on the right side of the flag: two on red and four on blue.
This flag of Tuvalu lasted for about a year and a half and caused a negative reaction from the residents of the country. They demanded that the former symbol be returned to the flagpoles, and Her Majesty's monarchical power should be left intact. In April 1997, the new Prime Minister took his place in the government, and the old Tuvalu flag took place on the flagpoles.
