Flag of Northern Marianas Islands
The field of blue and prominent white star mark out this as the flag of the Pacific State, as the flags of several countries in the region share these characteristics. The blue is derived from the UN flag, as Northern Marianas was formerly a trust territory of the UN, administered by the United States after years of Japanese occupation. Northern Marianas broke away from the sprawling US Pacific Trust Territory in 1976, and its flag was adopted that year. The white star, representing the islands, appears in front of a chalice-shaped stone icon, a Polynesian taga, a symbol of authority. It indicates the ancient culture and traditions of the people and is surrounded by a flower garland.
The ratio of the flag is 10:19.
