The Fiji Flag as it is in present use was adopted on October 10, 1970. Although the state arms have been slightly modified, the flag has remained the same since the colonial period.
Fiji previously has a national flag of blue and white vertical stripes with a red shield in the center depicting a white dove. When the country ceded to British Rule in 1874, Fiji relinquished its independence and was a British colony from 1874 to 1970.
The Fiji flag is a defaced sky-blue “Blue Ensign,” the actual Blue Ensign version of the Fiji flag is the Government’s Ensign. The bright blue background represents the Pacific Ocean, which is an important part in the lives of the islanders, with the fishing trade and tourism industry. The Union Jack embodies the country’s links to Great Britain.
The shield, on the right hand side of the flag, is derived from the country’s official coat of arms. The white shield has a red cross with a red chief. The images on the shield stand for the agriculture so important to Fiji and the historical connection with Great Britain. The top of the shield has a British lion which holds a cocoa pod between its paws. In the upper left portion is a sugar cane, and the upper right has a coconut palm. In the lower left area of the shield is a dove of peace and in the right a bunch of bananas.
The flag is such a wonderful tribute to the lives and industry of the Fiji Islands.
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