Flag of Tuvalu

The current Flag of Tuvalu was instated when the country became independent in 1978, after the separation from the Gilberts in 1976.

Features

Like many former and current British dependencies, the Tuvaluan flag is a blue ensign based on the Union Flag, which is shown in the upper left canton of the flag; however, the field is a unique shade of light blue not seen on other blue ensigns. The previous flag (with the Gilberts) was also based on the Union Flag but with the coat of arms created by Sir Arthur Grimble in 1932, the resident commissioner of the British colony.

The stars represent the 9 islands of which Tuvalu is made up; the arrangement is geographically correct when the flag is hung from the hoist down (because of the astronomical position in the sky).

Changes and controversies

The name "Tuvalu" means "eight together", referring to the eight islands which were inhabited. In October 1995 one of the stars on the flag was removed to conform with the country's name. By January 1996 the flag was replaced with a new one which was not based on the British flag, but the eight stars were retained. This flag, however, was not liked by the inhabitants, who felt that it was a move towards replacing the popular Tuvaluan monarchy with a republic. The old flag was re-instated in 1997, with all nine stars being restored. Population pressures have since resulted in the ninth island being settled. [http://flagspot.net/flags/tv.html#tuvalu951]

Historical flags

ee also

* Kamuta Latasi
* Bikenibeu Paeniu

External links

*FOTW|id=tv|title=Tuvalu