Palau Flag

The design of the official flag of the island nation of Palau features a light blue background with a large yellow circle situated slightly off center toward the hoist side. The flag was adopted on January 1, 1981 just after the Republic of Palau, which includes some 340 islands, separated from the United Nations Trust Territory. This flag design serves as not only the civil and state flag but also as the ensign; both civil and state.

A majority of the flag designs used by various island nations employ the color blue as a way in which to represent the Pacific Ocean. The blue on Palau’s flag, however, is representative of the country’s independence and freedom from foreign rule. The large yellow circle on the flag refers to the full moon which locals believe to be lucky and signifying a good time in which to hold traditional activities as well as partake in the planting and harvesting of crops. The moon is also a symbol of peace.

The official flag of the Republic of Palau was designed by Blau J. Skebong. Its design is thought to have been inspirited by the national flag of Bangladesh which consists of a red circle set against a green background. Like Palau’s flag the circle on Bangladesh’s national symbol isn’t set directly in the center of the field but instead is positioned slightly offside and toward the hoist. The Palau flag has also been compared to the official flag of Japan which consists of a white background with a large red circle set in the center.

Because of its colonial history as well as its time being occupied by foreign troops during World War II, Palau has been represented by various flags over the years. Up until 1899 Palau was part of the Spanish East Indies and flew the Spanish national flag. From 1899 to 1914, the islands were part of Germany’s Colonial Empire and thus represented by the German flag. During the years 1914 to 1944 Japan controlled Palau and its national flag flew over the region. World War II marked the arrival of U.S. forces and for fifty years, from 1944 to 1994, Palau was officially represented by the stars and stripes. The islands then used the flags of the United Nations during the years 1947 to 1965 and later, from 1965 to 1981 the flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.