Oceania

Flag of Palau

Palau is an archipelago of more than 500 islands in the western Pacific, home to some of the world's most pristine marine ecosystems. Jellyfish Lake, where millions of jellyfish evolved without stingers due to the absence of predators, is one of Palau's most famous attractions. Palau gained independence from US administration in 1994 and has established some of the Pacific's strictest marine protection zones.

CapitalNgerulmud
RegionOceania
Current flag since1981
Main coloursBlue, Yellow
Populationabout 18,000
Areaabout 460 km²
GeographyIsland nation
Flags in history3

Population and area are rounded.

What the flag of Palau means

The yellow disc represents the full moon, which Palauans regard as the best time for fishing, planting, harvesting and celebrations. The light blue stands for the Pacific Ocean and the end of foreign rule. The flag was adopted in 1981.

More about the flag

Palau is an archipelago of about 340 islands in the western Pacific. It was part of the US-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, adopted its flag on 1 January 1981, and became independent in 1994 in free association with the United States. Palau's flag is often compared with Bangladesh's and Japan's, which also show a disc, but its blue field and yellow moon are unique.

How to recognise it

Light blue with a yellow circle offset slightly to the left of centre.

Did you know?

Palau is home to Jellyfish Lake, where millions of non-stinging jellyfish migrate daily.

Easily confused with

Palau's flag is often mixed up with these. Learn to tell them apart:

Bangladesh

Japan

Flag history of Palau

Every flag that has flown over Palau, from today back through time.

1981–present

Flag of Palau

Adopted in 1981 when Palau became self-governing: a golden-yellow full moon slightly off-center on a sky-blue field, the moon symbolizing peace and national unity.

1962–1981

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

The six-star light-blue flag of the US-administered Trust Territory, which flew over Palau before it adopted its own moon flag.

1914–1944

Japanese South Seas Mandate

Koror in Palau was the capital of Japan's entire South Seas Mandate, the administrative heart of Japanese Micronesia from 1914 to 1944, flying the Japanese flag. Japanese settlers came to outnumber Palauans, and the islands saw one of the Pacific War's bloodiest battles at Peleliu before passing to US trusteeship.

Related historical states

Empires, kingdoms and republics that once covered part of Palau.

1947–1994

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

A US-administered UN trust territory across Micronesia after the Second World War, which split into the modern Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau and the Northern Marianas.