The Flag of Tuvalu
The flag of Tuvalu features a light blue field with the Union Jack in the canton and nine stars in the fly half. The stars represent the nine islands that comprise Tuvalu. The arrangement of the stars is geographically accurate, depicting the country's island chain. The light blue background symbolizes the Pacific Ocean.
History of The Flag of Tuvalu
The flag of Tuvalu was first adopted when the country gained independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1978. Initially, the design included the Union Jack to represent the country's history as a British protectorate and the stars to symbolize the main islands. However, in 1995, the flag was changed to remove the Union Jack and introduce a more distinct design featuring traditional Tuvaluan symbols to assert a stronger national identity. This change was short-lived, as the original flag design was reinstated in 1997 following a change in government and public sentiment favoring the historic and Commonwealth ties represented by the Union Jack. The flag, as it was initially adopted in 1978, remains in use today, symbolizing both Tuvalu's cultural heritage and its aspirations as a sovereign nation.