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Tonga

Pule'anga Tonga, Kingdom of Tonga

by Zeljko Heimer
Flag adopted 4th November 1875, coat-of-arms adopted 1862

History of the flag
Naval Ensign and War Flag
Royal Flag
Coat-of-Arms
Customs Flag

See also:

History of the flag

If I remember correctly (probably not, but...) Tonga used to use an identical flag to the Red Cross. In order to save confusion, the Tongan national flag was changed so that the former flag appeared as the canton of a red ensign.

Jaume Ollé (?), 5 March 1997

I believe you are mistaken - I've heard that the present design is the first design and the only design - it was adopted for its symbolism (the red field is a representation of Christ's blood, and the cross also comes form Christian iconography) back in the 1870s or something on the understanding that it would never be changed. It might even predate the Red Cross flag - anyone know when that flag was developed and adopted?

David Kendall, 5 March 1997

Pedersen 1973 also mentions the old flag of Tonga was indeed identical to the flag of the Red Cross.

Marcus Wendel, 15 September 1999

by Ivan Sache

Tongatabu used a previous flag. The current flag was in use after 1864 but was adopted oficially 4-November-1875.

Jaume Ollé, 5 March 1997

The Flags of Paradise 1996 chart represents a similar flag to that of Uvea 1842 (the only difference is in cross size and colours: blue, red, blue, red) attributed to Tonga / Tongatapu, ca. 1858-1862.

Ivan Sache, 29 June 1999

Naval Ensign and War Flag

by Jan Oskar Engene

The design seems to be inspired by the Tongan national flag, the UK White Ensign, the German Imperial war flag and the Scandinavian crossflags, all put together in one. The flag has a red Scandinavian crossbordered in white and red. In the white canton is a red Greek cross (as in the Tongan national flag). The flag was designed by Prince Tupouto'a, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence when the flag was adopted 13 September 1985. Source: Wolfgang G. Jilek, "Flags of Tonga" in Flag Bulletin, no. 130 (1989), pp 182-189.

Jan Oskar Engene, 19 September 1996

I spotted the war ensign of Tonga in the 1995-96 Jane's Fighting Ships. Interesting design - why Tonga of all unlikely nations would choose a Scandinavian cross-style ensign is something I'd like to know. Anybody have the answer?

Tom Gregg, 21 March 1997

The naval ensign (and war flag) is white with a red-fimbrated white shield towards the hoist; on the shield are three red swords; above the shield is a red crown. Source: Flaggkarta 1995.

Christian Berghänel, 17 January 1998

As of 1991, when I was there, the "Scandinavian-shaped" flag flew on Navy ships, the three-sword flag did not, but flew over an army camp.

Norm Martin, 17 January 1998

According to Album des Pavillons, the naval ensign is hoisted on the portside (babord) and the army flag, as described above, is hoisted on the starboard side (tribord).

Ivan Sache, 20 January 1998

National Defence: national police of ca. 300 men (1991) - War (hoisted on portside) and Army (hoisted on starboard) ensigns. Source: Encyclopaedia Universalis Yearbook, 1998; flags as reported in Album des Pavillons.

Ivan Sache, 24 May 1999

Royal Flag

by Marcus Wendel

Source: Talocci 1994. Its symbolism is:

Red cross: The blood of Christ
Three stars: The 3 largest groups of islands
Crown: The Kingdom
Three swords: The three dynasties
Dove: Peace

Marcus Wendel, 5 September 1999

Coat-of-Arms

(Click on image to see full size detail)
by Jorge Candeias based on an image in a no longer accessible URL

Customs Flag

Upper half of the flag is blue (with the same canton as the state flag) and the lower half is white with letters "H.M.C." (His Majesty's Customs) in black. Proportions 72:42 (vertical:horizontal). The same design (with different writing) is used by other departments and institutions. Source: Pedersen 1973.

Marcus Wendel, 15 September 1999