Flag of French Polynesia
French Polynesia is composed of Winward Islands, Leeward Islands, Tuamotu Islands, Gambier Islands, Marquesas Islands and Austral Islands, as well as of the neighboring maritime areas. This island group in the South Pacific gained home rule from France in 1984, and the flag was adopted then. Red and white colors had historically been used in flags in the area, and particularly on one of the islands, Tahiti, since the early 19 th century. The central emblem depicts a pirogue, a type of canoe, on the sea over which a sun is shining. The figures on the pirogue represent Gambler, Marquesas, Society, Tuamotu and Tubai, the five island groups. As a territory of France, the islands’ flag is flown only in conjunction with the French tricolor.
The flag of French Polynesia is rectangular in shape. It has three horizontal stripes of red, white and red colors. The white middle stripe is two times as broad as the two red stripes. The middle of the flag shows the symbol of French Polynesia, a white circle that is encompasses a Polynesian canoe with red sails. The canoe and sails are bordered in brown. The canoe is placed beside a sun illustrated by ten golden rays, which indicate life. The canoe is placed in the sky blue sea represented by five rows of waves, and the ocean symbolizing wealth.
The flag of French Polynesia was adopted on 23 November, 1984, by the Assembly of French Polynesia. The ratio of the flag is 2:3.
