Flag of Cook Islands

Flag origins

The Cook Islands’ blue flag has the Union Jack at the upper left and fifteen white stars arranged in a circle on the fly. Blue represents the vast Pacific surrounding the fifteen islands and the peaceful nature of their people. The Union Jack reflects historical ties with Britain and the Commonwealth. The fifteen stars represent the fifteen islands. These meanings are recorded in the Constitution. The current flag was adopted on August 4, 1979.

Flag story

The Cook Islands has extensive self-government and a distinctive relationship of free association with New Zealand. Its flag also reflects a complex history. From 1973 to 1979, it used a green flag with fifteen yellow or gold stars in a circle. The stars survived into the current design, but in 1979 the field became blue, the Union Jack was added and the stars became white.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• Cook Islands — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

Report an error