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The
current flag of Kiribati was officially adopted in July of
1979. This intricate design features several alternating
white and blue wavy horizontal stripes on the bottom half of
the flag, and solid red on the top portion of the flag.
Emerging from the set of stripes is a golden yellow sun,
with a bird soaring above. The wavy bands depict three
waves to represent the Pacific Ocean that surrounds the
three groups of islands within the republic. The sun has
seventeen rays symbolizing the sixteen Gilbert islands, as
well as the former Ocean island of Banaba, and is a direct
reference to both the rising and setting sun, a result of
the nations close proximity to the meridian. The frigate
bird represents power, freedom and the traditional island
dances. This design was derived from the coat of arms
adopted by the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1937. Upon
independence from Britain the Ellice islands split to form
present day Tuvalu and the Gilbert islands became the nation
of Kiribati and maintained the shield as their own,
converting it into their national flag in 1979. |
