Flag of Vanuatu
Oceania
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Port Vila
- Flag adopted
- 1980
- Population
- 321,409
- Area
- 12,189 km²
- Languages
- Bislama, English, French
- Currency
- Vanuatu vatu (Vt) — VUV
- Demonym
- Ni-Vanuatu
- Government
- parliamentary republic
- Subregion
- Melanesia
- Driving side
- Right
- Timezones
- UTC+11:00
- Independence
- 1980
Religions
- Protestant 39.9%
- Roman Catholic 12.1%
- Other 12%
- customary beliefs 3.1%
- Apostolic 2.3%
- Latter-day Saint 1.8%
- None 1.4%
- Unspecified 0.1%
About This Flag
The flag of Vanuatu features two equal horizontal bands of red on top and green on the bottom, separated by a black triangle on the hoist side that is itself outlined by thin yellow (gold) stripes forming a Y-shape that extends into the horizontal bands. Within the black triangle is a yellow boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele fern fronds.
The red represents the blood of boar sacrifices and the blood of the people. The green symbolizes the richness of the islands' vegetation.
Black represents the ni-Vanuatu (Melanesian) people. The yellow Y-shape represents the light of the Gospel spreading through the islands.
The boar's tusk is a symbol of prosperity and power, and the namele fern fronds represent peace. Adopted on February 13, 1980, upon independence from the Anglo-French condominium.
What the colors & design mean
Red represents the blood of the people and ritual sacrifice. Green symbolizes the lush vegetation of the islands. Black represents the Melanesian people. Yellow represents the light of Christianity spreading across the islands. The boar's tusk symbolizes prosperity, and the namele fern fronds represent peace.
Pattern: Complex Design
Fun Facts
- Vanuatu was governed jointly by France and Britain as a condominium (shared colony) called the New Hebrides from 1906 to 1980, one of the most unusual colonial arrangements in history.
- The boar's tusk on the flag is a traditional symbol of wealth and status — curved boar tusks are grown over years by removing the upper canines, allowing the lower tusks to grow into a spiral.
- Vanuatu is home to some of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, including Mount Yasur on Tanna Island, which has been erupting nearly continuously for over 800 years.
- Bungee jumping originated from Vanuatu's traditional land diving (naghol) ritual on Pentecost Island, where men jump from tall towers with vines tied to their ankles as a test of courage and to ensure a good yam harvest.
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