The Secret History Behind Tuvalu's Flag
Tuvalu changed its flag in 1995 and went back to the old one two years later.
The original flag was adopted on October 1, 1978, the day Tuvalu became independent. It is light blue with the Union Jack in the canton and nine yellow stars on the fly side. The stars stand for the nine islands and are placed roughly where the islands lie on a map. The light blue is the Pacific Ocean, and the Union Jack recalls the ties with the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
On October 1, 1995, the government of Prime Minister Kamuta Latasi introduced a new flag without the Union Jack, in a move toward republicanism. The original flag was restored in April 1997.
The date printed on every Tuvalu design in our catalog, October 1, 1978, is Independence Day.
Nine stars drawn like a map of the sea.
Looking for a gift with a story? See our heritage gift guide, or read the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Stories page.