Flag of Tonga

Flag origins

Tonga's flag has a red field and a white upper-hoist rectangle containing a red cross. The cross reflects Christianity's role in the state formed under King George Tupou I. The 1875 Constitution included the flag, and Article 47 still states that King George's flag shall never be altered and shall remain the kingdom's flag. Its protection is constitutional, not merely an ordinary flag regulation.

Flag story

An earlier white flag with a red cross resembled the emblem of the international Red Cross movement established in the 1860s. Tonga changed to a red field while retaining the cross in a white canton. The replacement design was then given unusually strong protection against further change in the Constitution.

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.

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

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