Flags of Oceania and the Pacific

Explanation: The Southern Cross (5 stars) and the Federation Star (7 points = 6 states + territories). The Union Jack recalls British origins.

Explanation: 4 red stars of the Southern Cross (vs 5 white for Australia). A 2016 referendum kept this flag over the Silver Fern proposal.

Explanation: The shield with a lion, a coconut palm, a dove and bananas. Fiji regularly debates removing the Union Jack.

Explanation: The red cross on white in the canton recalls Christianity, very important in Tonga. The red background symbolizes the blood of Christ.

Explanation: One of the first Pacific countries to gain independence (1962). The Southern Cross with 5 stars on blue background with a red canton.

Explanation: The country's emblematic bird and the Southern Cross. Red and black are traditional colors in Papuan culture.

Explanation: The Y-shaped boar's tusk symbolizes prosperity. Cycas leaves are a sign of peace in Melanesian culture.

Explanation: The golden frigatebird flying over a rising sun above the ocean. Kiribati is the first country to see the sunrise each day.

Explanation: The yellow circle (full moon) slightly off-center on a blue background. Similar to Japan but in blue and yellow instead of white and red.

Explanation: The 9 stars represent the 9 islands of Tuvalu. The Union Jack recalls the colonial past. Threatened by rising sea levels.

Explanation: The golden stripe symbolizes the equator, the 12-pointed white star the 12 original tribes. Smallest island state in the world.

Explanation: The two diagonal orange and white stripes symbolize the two atoll chains (Ralik and Ratak). The 24-pointed star = the districts.

Explanation: The 4 white stars on a blue background represent the 4 states (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae). Recalls the flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Explanation: The Kumul (Paradisaea raggiana) is the national bird. The male is famous for its spectacular plumage used in traditional ceremonies.

Explanation: The flag of the Solomon Islands was adopted in 1977. The five stars in the blue canton represent the original districts, and the colours stand for the sea (blue), sun (yellow) and land (green).