^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

History of Fijian flags

This information is built on contributions from Jaume Ollé and Mark Sensen, 2-3 June 1997 quoting an article in Vexilla Nostra no.164 written by Rene van den Maagdenburg.

United Tribes of Fiji (1865-1867)
United Tribes of Fiji (1867-1869)
Kingdom of Lau (1869-1871)
United Kingdom of Fiji (1871-1874)
British Fiji Islands (1874-1970)

See also:

United Tribes of Fiji (1865-1867)

by Mark Sensen

On May 8th 1865 seven tribes united: Bau, Rewa, Cakaudrove, Macuata, Naduri and Lakeba, naming themselves the United Tribes of Fiji. According to the Fijian historian R.A. Derrick they used a dark blue flag with central white fivepointed star.

United Tribes of Fiji (1867-1869)

by Jaume Ollé

The presidency was on a rotating basis, and in 1867 the chief of Lakeba would become president. This was Ma'aufu, a Tongan who remained loyal to the Tonga king. The other chiefs protested, and Cakobau together with the other chiefs of the island Viti-Levu [Great Fiji] founded a new alliance with the name: Kingdom of Bau. Cakobau was proclaimed king of Bau 2nd May 1867. The flag according to R.A. Derrick was blue with half sun in the bottom (30 rays) and the royal crown in the upper hoist (the crown image in Vexilla Nostra is very unclear). Ma'aufu was still governor of Lau and Vanua-Levu (as vassal of the King of Tonga), which was known as the Alliance of North and East Fiji and used no flag.

Kingdom of Lau (1869-1871)

by Mark Sensen

Personal Flag of the King of Lau (1869-1871)

by Mark Sensen

When the King of Tonga didn't support Ma'aufu any longer, the Kingdom of Lau was established 15th February 1869. The flag was horizontal white over red, with in the upper hoist corner a red cross. The personal flag of the king was vertical with in the upper hoist corner a white cross.

United Kingdom of Fiji (1871-1874)

by Jaume Ollé

On 5th June 1871 Cakobau proclaimed the United Kingdom of Fiji, joined by Ma'afu six weeks later. This kingdom used the white and blue flag until 10th October 1874 when the British took over government. The arms are derived from the Missionary Society. (Vexilla Nostra shows the arms alone on a white background but that's no flag).

British Fiji Islands (1874-1970)

by Pascal Gross

British Governor 1877-1952
Until 1952 the office of Governor of Fiji was combined with that of Western Pacific High Commissioner.

David Prothero, 1 October 1999