Symbolism
The Raggiana bird-of-paradise is the national bird of Papua New Guinea. The five stars represent the Southern Cross. Red and black have long been traditional colors of many Papua New Guinean tribes.
History
Designed by 15-year-old Susan Huhume, who won a nationwide design competition in 1971. Adopted upon independence on July 1, 1971.
Construction
A 3:4 ratio. Divided diagonally from the upper hoist to the lower fly. The upper triangle is red with a yellow bird-of-paradise, and the lower triangle is black with five white stars.
Color Meanings
red: Bravery and the Raggiana bird-of-paradise
black: The people and traditional tribal colors of PNG
yellow: Wealth and the soaring bird-of-paradise
Country Facts
- Population
- 11.8M
25% of Oceania
- Capital
- Port Moresby
- Languages
- English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
- Continent
- Oceania
- Subregion
- Pacific
- Landlocked
- Island state
- Borders
- ISO 3166-1
- PG
Flag Identification
- Adopted
- July 1, 1971
- Designer
- Susan Huhume
- Proportions
3:4 (≈1.333)
- Primary Layout
- Diagonal bands
- Key Symbols
- Emblem, Stars, Animal, Weapon
Influences
Susan Huhume's competition-winning design
Related flags
Flag Protocol
- The bird-of-paradise must be shown soaring upwards
- Must be displayed with the red triangle at the top
Practice
Think you know the flags of Oceania? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.