Page 238 - (DK) Complete Flags of the World

Australasia and Oceania

Samoa

Ratio: 1:2 Adopted: January 1, 1962 Usage:National and Civil

The Southern Red is a
Cross traditional
Samoan color
White and symbolizes
represents courage
purity

Blue represents
freedom

Australasia and Oceania
Under the administration of Germany, the USA
3!-/!
!MERICAN and later New Zealand, Samoa became the first
A
7ALLIS 3AMOA
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&UTUNA
independent Polynesian nation in 1962.
Prior to 1899, when Samoa was Malietoa and the Southern Cross
partitioned by Germany and the from the flag of New Zealand, on a
USA, it was ruled by the rival blue field in the canton.
kingdoms of Malietoa and Tamasese. In 1949, the smaller fifth star was
The flag of Malietoa was probably added, making the Southern Cross
inspired by missionaries. It was a more like that on the Australian
plain red field, with a white cross and flag. The flag was retained when
a white star in the canton. The rival independence was granted in 1962.
King of Tamasese favored the
German cause and used flags with ARMS OF SAMOA
black crosses. The coat of arms was adopted in
1951 and contains symbols reflecting
A UNITED FLAG the Christian faith of the Samoan
In 1948, by then a territory of New people. It depicts a shield of the
Zealand, Samoa was granted its Southern Cross, below a coconut
current flag. This was created palm from the previous colonial
jointly by the kings of Malietoa and badge. Above the shield is a cross
Tamasese. It comprised a red field recalling the national motto—“May
taken from the former flag of God be the foundation of Samoa.”

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