Flag of Vanuatu

The flag of Vanuatu (Bislama: flaeg blong Vanuatu) was adopted on 18 February 1980.[1]

Vanuatu
Flag of Vanuatu
UseNational flag, civil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion2:3, 3:5 or 19:36
Adopted18 February 1980
DesignA horizontal bicolor of red and green with a golden pall, fimbriated in black, with a black chevron filling the lefthand space and two gold crossed namele cycad fronds encircled in a gold boar tusk centered on the chevron.
Designed byKalontas Mahlon
Vanuatu flag bunting flying prior to the 2016 Vanuatuan general election

In 1977 a flag of almost the same colours and symbolism as the future national flag was designed by local artist Kalontas Malon and adopted by the Vanua'aku Pati. When the party led the New Hebrides to independence as Vanuatu in 1980, the colours of the party flag (red, green, black and yellow) were chosen to be the basis for the national flag on Independence Day, 30 July 1980. A parliamentary committee chose the final design based on submissions from local artists.[1]

Symbolism
Tusk and cycad frond detail

The green represents the richness of the islands, the red symbolises blood which unites humanity as humans, and the black the ni-Vanuatu people.[2] The Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Father Walter Lini, requested the inclusion of yellow and black fimbriations to make the black stand out. The yellow Y-shape represents the shape of Vanuatu islands on the map and the light of the gospel going through the pattern of the islands in the Pacific Ocean (approximately 83% of the people of Vanuatu profess Christianity).[1][3][4]

The emblem in the black is a boar's tusk—the symbol of customs and tradition but also prosperity. Its worn as a pendant on the islands—along with two leaves of the local namele tree. These leaves are supposed to be a token of peace, and their 39 leaflets represent the original 39 members of the Parliament of Vanuatu.[1]

Construction Sheet

The government does not publish a formal specification sheet on its website. The construction sheet shown below is based on measurements from the official 2:3 flag image that appears in the State Flag and Armorial Bearings Public Declaration dated March 18, 1980.[5]

  • flag construction sheet
    flag construction sheet


Other flags of Vanuatu

Government flag
FlagDateUseDescription
1980–presentPresidential standardA green field with a red border and the national coat of arms in the center.[1]

Military flags
FlagDateUseDescription
1980–presentSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Naval ensignA white field with the national flag in the canton.[1]
Flag of Vanuatu Mobile Forces
Flag of Vanuatu Police Force

Political flags
FlagDateUseDescription
Link to file1966–presentFlag of the Nagriamel Movement
Link to file1971–presentFlag of the Vanua'aku Pati

Subnational flags from Vanuatu

Provincial flags
FlagDateUseDescription
 ?–presentFlag of the Malampa Province
 ?–presentFlag of the Penama Province[6]
 ?–presentFlag of the Sanma Province[7]
 ?–presentFlag of the Shefa Province[8]
 ?–presentFlag of the Tafea Province
 ?–presentFlag of the Torba Province[9]

Secessionist group flags
FlagDateUseDescription
1980Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reconstructed secessionist flag of the Tafea Nation[10]
1980Flag of the island of Tanna, in Tafea Province, and of its secessionist movement[11]

City flags
FlagDateUseDescription
2020–presentFlag of Port Vila[12]
?–2020Previous flag of Port Vila
?–presentFlag of Luganville[13]

Historical flags of the New Hebrides
FlagDateUseDescription
1887–1906Flag of the Anglo-French Joint Naval CommissionA vertical bicolour of red and white with a blue square in the center and five 5-pointed stars inside the square. [14]
1906–1953Flag of the British New HebridesA blue ensign with the emblem of New Hebrides (with The Tudor Crown).
1906–1953Flag of the British resident commissionerThe Union Jack defaced with the emblem of New Hebrides (with the Tudor Crown). [14]
1953–1980Flag of the British New HebridesA blue ensign with the emblem of New Hebrides (with the St Edward's Crown) [14]
1953–1980Flag of the British resident commissionerThe Union Jack defaced with the emblem of New Hebrides (with the St Edward's Crown). [14]
1906–1940
1944–1980		Flag of the French New HebridesA vertical tricolour of blue, white, and red (proportions 3:2). [15]
1940–1944Flag of the Free French administration of New HebridesA vertical tricolour of blue, white, and red with the Cross of Lorraine.[14]
1963–1966Flag attested as being used in the 1963 South Pacific GamesA vertical tricolour of blue, white, and red with the flags of France and the United Kingdom in the center. [14]
1966–1969
1971–1980		Flag attested as being used in the 1966 and 1971 South Pacific GamesA blue field with the emblem of the New Hebrides in the center.[14]
1969–1971Dark blue version attested at the time of the 1969 South Pacific GamesSimilar to the previous flag. [16]
1980Flag of the ephemeral Republic of VemeranaA blue field with a green 5-pointed star in the center.
1980Flag of the People's Provisional Government of Vanuatu led by Vanua'aku Pati[18]

See also

References
  1. "Vanuatu". Flags of the World. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  2. "Vanuatu Flag and Description". www.worldatlas.com. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  3. Department of State. The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs (14 September 2007). "Vanuatu". 2001-2009.state.gov. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  4. "Flag of Vanuatu". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  5. "State Flag and Armorial Bearings Public Declaration". www.paclii.org. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  6. "Penama Province (Vanuatu)". Flags of the World. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  7. "Sanma Province (Vanuatu)". Flags of the World. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  8. "Shefa Province (Vanuatu)". Flags of the World. 8 July 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  9. "Tafea Province (Vanuatu)". www.fotw.info. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  10. "TAFEA Nation (Vanuatu)". Flags of the World. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  11. "Nation of Tanna (Vanuatu)". Flags of the World. 20 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  12. "Shefa Province (Vanuatu)". www.fotw.info. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  13. "Luganville (Vanuatu)". www.fotw.info. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  14. "Historical Flags (Vanuatu)". Flags of the World. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  15. "Vanuatu". World Statesmen. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  16. postage stamp New Hebrides Condominium 1F featuring 3rd South Pacific Games Port Moresby 1969 dated 1969
  17. "State of Vemerana (Vanuatu)". Flags of the World. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  18. "Vanuatu". World Statesmen. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2016.

Sources
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