The Samoan flag is a striking emblem featuring a vibrant red background with a prominent blue canton in the upper hoist corner, which showcases the Southern Cross constellation in white stars.
Design and Elements of the Samoan Flag
The national flag of Samoa is characterized by its bold colors and distinct celestial motif. The main body of the flag, known as the field, is a solid red. In the upper left corner, nearest to the flagpole, is a blue rectangular section called the canton. Within this blue canton, the Southern Cross constellation is depicted with five white stars. The flag's overall proportion, or width-to-length ratio, is 1 to 2.
To summarize the flag's visual components:
Element | Description |
---|---|
Field | A deep red background, covering the majority of the flag. |
Canton | A blue rectangle positioned in the upper hoist (left) corner. |
Emblem | The Southern Cross constellation, represented by five white stars, is centered within the blue canton. |
Proportion | The flag's width is half its length (a ratio of 1:2). |
Historical Note
The design that closely resembles the current national flag of Samoa was first adopted on October 2, 1873, marking the emergence of the country's truly national symbol.
For more detailed information, you can explore resources like the Flag of Samoa on Wikipedia.