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Flag ratio: 3:5

The flag of Palau was adopted on January 1, 1981. When the island group separated from the United Nations Trust Territory it adopted this flag. In common with other Pacific island groups, blue is the colour used to represent the ocean and the nation's place within it. Whilst this puts Palau in common with the Federated States of Micronesia and other neighboring island groups, the off-centre disc on the flag is similar to that of the flag of Bangladesh (and also to the flag of Japan), but in this case represents the moon instead of the sun. The current flag was introduced in 1981 when Palau became a republic.

Previously, the flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was flown jointly with the United Nations and American flags. The flag's very simple design belies the depth of meaning attributed to it. The explanation for the choice of colours is rooted in the history and customs of the Palauan people. The bright blue of the field, which might be assumed to be symbolic of the Pacific Ocean, is in fact a representation of the transition from foreign domination to self-government. The golden disk, which sits slightly off centre toward the hoist, represents the full moon. The Palauans consider the full moon to be the optimum time for human activity. At this time of the month, celebrations, harvesting, sowing, fishing, tree-felling, and the carving of traditional canoes are carried out. The moon is a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility.

Futaranosuke Nagoshi (名越二荒之助), a Japanese professor who studies international relations, mentioned probable relation between flag of Palau and that of Japan.^[1] According to his idea, the motif of the moon is a kind of homage to the Rising-Sun flag and describes the symbol of amity between Palau and Japan. This kind of contention has been supported by those who are swallowing some story of Japanophile in Palau. However, there is no valuable evidence for this contention.

[edit] Historical flags

Flag of Spain, who owned Palau until 1899	Flag of the German Colonial Empire, used in some of Palau from 1885, and all of Palau 1899 - 1914	Flag of Japan, used in Palau 1914 - 1944	The flag of the United Nations was used in Palau from 1947 - 1965
Flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands was used in Palau 1965 - 1981	This flag of the United States was used in Palau from 1944 - 1959	This flag of the United States was used in Palau from 1959 - 1960	This flag of the United States was used in Palau from 1960 - 1994

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Palau at Flags of the World
• Republic of Palau Convention History of the National Flag

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