Fiji Flag

The Republic of the Fiji Islands, in the South Pacific Ocean, is an island nation that sits south of Tuvalu, west of Tonga, and east of Vanuatu. It is a cluster of approximately three hundred and twenty-two islands with only six of these islands permanently inhabited.

On October 10, 1970, Fiji adopted the national flag of Fiji. The flag of Fiji had a few slight modifications over the years. Since 1987, when they declared Fiji a republic, it has remained unchanged although a few politicians have requested changes to the flag of Fiji. The present flag of Fiji and the colonial ensign used before Fiji independence were alike except before independence, a flag of Fiji was a darker shade of blue. In addition, instead of just the shield, they displayed the entire coat of arms of Fiji. Some reformists want the union flag removed but others, for historical continuity, support the union flag. Some important Fijians want the full coat of arms restored on the Fiji flag. On November 30, 2005, the Great Council of Chiefs of Fiji requested that they put the two figures of warriors guarding the shield, the miniature canoe, and the national Fiji motto ‘Fear God and Honor the Queen’ on the national flag of Fiji.

The national flag of Fiji has a light blue background with a British Union Jack in the upper left hoist quarter or corner of the Fiji flag and this extends to the upper middle of the Fijian flag. Centered in the middle of the blue on the fly side of Fiji flags is the shield from the coat of arms of Fiji. A red cross also known as, the ‘English St. George’s Cross’, divides the white emblem into quarters on the national flag of Fiji. On the upper left white quarter on the shield are three sugar canes. The upper right quarter on the shield has a coconut palm. The bottom left quarter displays a white dove holding an olive branch, and the bottom right quarter has a bunch of bananas. Across the top of the shield, there is a wide red strip with a golden lion holding a peeled coconut.

The union jack on a flag of Fiji symbolizes Fiji’s connections to Britain while the light blue background on the flag of Fiji represents the Pacific Ocean. Fiji’s colonial past is represented on the Fijian flag by the emblems two symbols. Both the St. George of England’s red colored cross, centered in the middle of the shield, and the golden lion holding the peeled coconut symbolize Britain. There is a Fiji map, flag, and pictures available on the internet.