Blue represents the Pacific Ocean and the Marianas Trench. White represents the limestone cliffs and coral beaches of the islands. A latte stone (traditional Chamorro pillar) stands before a decorative wreath called a mwáár, symbolizing the Chamorro and Carolinian heritage of the Commonwealth.
History
The flag was adopted on July 1, 1972, by the Northern Mariana Islands legislature while still under U.S. trust territory status. It remained the flag when the islands became a U.S. Commonwealth in 1978 and after the 1986 covenant.
Construction
A 1:2 ratio. A blue field with a white latte stone and mwáár wreath centered.
