Flag of Marshall Islands

Flag origins

The Marshall Islands flag has a dark-blue field, widening orange and white diagonal bands, and a white star with twenty-four rays. Emlain Kabua, wife of the first president Amata Kabua, designed it for self-government in 1979. Blue represents the Pacific; white the Ratak, or sunrise, chain and peace; orange the Ralik, or sunset, chain and courage. The star's rays represent districts, with four longer rays for Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit and Wotje. Its cross-like form also evokes Christianity.

Flag story

The diagonal bands can be read as the equator, with the star above them indicating the islands' position north of it. The design thus combines island groups, administrative districts, faith and a simplified geographical reference.

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.

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

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