Fiji Flag

The light blue represents the Pacific Ocean, vital to Fiji’s identity, livelihood, and maritime culture. The Union Jack reflects Fiji’s historical ties with the United Kingdom and its membership in the Commonwealth. The shield includes a golden lion holding a cocoa pod representing British influence, while the sugar cane, coconut palm, bananas, and dove symbolize Fiji’s rich agriculture, indigenous peace, and prosperity. The Cross of St. George evokes the Christian heritage brought by missionaries and colonial history.

Before colonization in 1874, an earlier flag contained white and blue vertical bands and a red shield with a dove, symbolizing the kingdom established under Cakobau. Under British rule, Fiji used the standard Blue Ensign defaced with its colonial badge. Following independence on October 10, 1970, a competition led to the current design by Tessa Mackenzie, which kept the Union Jack and shield but changed the field to light blue and removed supporters and motto to simplify the design. In 2013 proposals emerged to remove colonial symbols, but a 2016 decision reaffirmed the existing flag, particularly after Fiji’s Olympic gold in rugby sevens renewed pride in national symbols.

A sky blue background spans the entire flag proportioned 1:2. The Union Jack occupies the hoist 0.5 portion, with the shield placed centrally on the fly half. The shield is quartered by the red Cross of St. George, bearing a yellow lion with a cocoa pod, sugar cane, coconut palm, bananas, and a white dove. Official colors include Pantone sky blue, Union Jack red and blue, plus natural colors on the shield. Civil, state, and naval ensigns adopt the same layout on red, dark blue, or white fields respectively.

The flag is flown at government buildings, diplomatic missions, schools, and during national events. Etiquette mandates that it be hoisted at dawn and lowered at sunset, never touch the ground, and not be flown with other flags on the same pole. In maritime usage, the civil ensign uses a red field with the shield, while government and naval vessels use standard Blue and White Ensigns. Attempts to redesign the flag were officially shelved in 2016, cementing its protocol and continuing status through national validation and Olympic celebration.