Why is the Union Jack in the Fiji flag?

Why do some countries, Fiji for one, have the Union Jack on their national flag? That’s because Fiji is one of four sovereign states, apart from the United Kingdom itself, to have the Jack on its flag. The others are Australia, New Zealand and Tuvalu, the Polynesian island nation so beloved of Pointless fans.

What does Fiji’s flag symbolize?

It represents the country’s historical links. Blue symbolises the vast Pacific Ocean, the country’s address. The shield on the flag and the coat of arms shows a lion (representing Great Britain) holding a coconut between its paws. A coconut palm, sugarcane, and a bunch of bananas represent island plants.

What countries still have the Union Jack on their flag?

Four countries currently incorporate the Union Flag as part of their own national flags: Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, and Fiji (although Fiji is a republic, unlike Australia and New Zealand).

Who created the flag of Fiji?

Tessa Mackenzie won the competition in 1970 to design the flag after placing the British Union Jack and the shield from Fiji’s Coat of Arms on a sky blue background. This week, Mr Bainimarama said they were British symbols that were not relevant to a modern, independent Fiji.

Why do so many flags have the Union Jack?

When the British Empire established dominion over half the world, the Union Jack became a ubiquitous presence. Over the centuries, as the Empire crumbled and colonies gained their independence, these fresh new nations jettisoned the Union Jack from their flags as part of asserting their individual identities.

What 3 flags make up the British flag?

The Union Flag, or Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom. It is so called because it combines the crosses of the three countries united under one Sovereign – the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland (although since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom).

Why do some countries have the Union Jack on their flags?

Why do some countries, Fiji for one, have the Union Jack on their national flag? That’s because Fiji is one of four sovereign states, apart from the United Kingdom itself, to have the Jack on its flag. The others are Australia, New Zealand and Tuvalu, the Polynesian island nation so beloved of Pointless fans.

Why did Fiji change its flag in 2013?

Fiji was a British colony from 1874 to 1970. In his New Year’s Day address in 2013, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced that the flag would soon be changed so as “to reflect a sense of national renewal, to reinforce a new Fijian identity and a new confidence in being Fijian on the global stage”.

What does the Fijian flag look like?

The flag is very similar to the colonial ensign used prior to independence, the main differences being the latter used a darker shade of blue and displayed the entire Fijian coat of arms as opposed to just the shield.

Is Fiji a republic or state?

But of these, only Fiji is a republic. The Union flag also remains on the flag of Hawaii, a U.S. state since 1959. Some influential Fijians have called for the restoration of the full coat of arms to the flag.