Flag of Fiji - wikipedia Flag of Fiji Fiji Use National flag Proportion 1 : 2 Adopted 10 October 1970 Design A Light Blue Ensign with the Fijian shield - of - arms taken from the National Coat of Arms centred on the outer half of the flag. Variant flag of Fiji Use historical Proportion 1 : 2 Adopted 1924 Design A Blue Ensign with the National Coat of Arms centred on the outer half of the flag. Variant flag of Fiji Use historical Proportion 1 : 2 Adopted 1908 Design A Blue Ensign with the white badge centred on the outer half of the flag bearing the National Coat of Arms. Variant flag of Fiji Use Historical Proportion 2 : 3 Adopted 1871 Design A vertical bicolour of light blue and white with the white dove holding an olive branch on the red shield surmounted by the crown. The national flag of Fiji was adopted on 10 October 1970. The state arms have been slightly modified but the flag has remained the same as during Fiji 's colonial period. It is a defaced sky - blue `` Blue Ensign '' ( the actual Blue Ensign version of the flag is the Government ensign ). It has remained unchanged since Fiji was declared a republic in 1987, despite calls from some politicians for changes. In 2013, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced plans of replacing the flag with a new design that would not include the Union Jack. Following a three - month - long public vote, the new flag was expected to be announced on or before 7 September 2016, but, despite his personal views, Bainimarama abandoned plans to change the flag for the foreseeable future in August 2016. Contents 1 Design 2 Proposal for a new flag 3 Ensigns of Fiji 4 Historical 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 Sources 9 External links Design The flag 's bright blue background symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, which plays an important part in the lives of the islanders, both in terms of the fishing industry, and the huge tourist trade. The Union Jack reflects the country 's links with the United Kingdom. The shield is derived from the country 's coat of arms, which was granted by Royal Warrant in 1908. It is a white shield with a red cross and a red chief ( upper third of a shield ). The images depicted on the shield represent agricultural activities on the islands, and the historical associations with the United Kingdom. At the top of the shield, a British lion holds a cocoa pod between its paws. The upper left is sugar cane, upper right is a coconut palm, the lower left a dove of peace, and the lower right a bunch of bananas. 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. While some reformists have called for the removal of the Union Flag, seeing it a British colonial emblem, others support its retention for the sake of historical continuity. The flags of five other independent countries ( see Flags of Australia, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Niue, and Tuvalu articles ) retain the Union Flag in their national flags. But of these, only Fiji is a republic. The Union flag also remains on the state flag of Hawaii, a state of the USA since 1959. Proposed flag of Fiji with the full Arms, as suggested by the Great Council of Chiefs in 2005 Some influential Fijians have called for the restoration of the full coat of arms to the flag. On 30 November 2005, Fiji 's Great Council of Chiefs called for the two warrior figures, who guard the shield on the coat of arms, to be placed on the flag, along with a miniature canoe and the national motto, Rerevaka na kalou ka doka na tui ( `` Fear God and honour the Queen '' ) -- symbols that were featured on the original flag of the Kingdom of Viti, the first unified Fijian state created under the leadership of Seru Epenisa Cakobau in 1871. `` The coat of arms is very significant because it has the word of God, then it has the two warriors and the Fijian canoe also. I think that the council members prefer that the full coat of arms be included in the Fiji flag, '' said Asesela Sadole, General Secretary of the Great Council of Chiefs. Presidential Standard Prior to ceding the country to British rule in 1874, the government of Fiji adopted a national flag featuring blue and white vertical stripes, with in the centre a red shield depicting a white dove. This flag ceased to be used when the colonial era began and Fiji relinquished its independence. Fiji was a British colony from 1874 to 1970. Proposal for a new flag 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 ''. The change in the flag would accompany the adoption of a new Constitution, intended by Fiji 's military leader ( who came to power in a coup in December 2006 ) to establish a `` one person, one vote '', non-racial and secular democracy under military oversight. The country, a republic, had removed Queen Elizabeth II from its currency a few weeks earlier. On 3 February 2015, Bainimarama confirmed that the flag of Fiji would be replaced. He announced that a national competition to design the new flag would be held, with the aim of hoisting this flag on 11 October 2015, the 45th anniversary of independence. During the competition, over 2,000 designs were submitted, before a final shortlist of 23 was selected by Fiji 's National Flag Committee on 9 June 2015. It was intended to submit these designs to the Cabinet for consideration on 30 June 2015, following a brief public feedback period. However, on 30 June, Bainimarama announced that this feedback period was to be extended to 31 December 2015, saying, `` ( People ) want more time to consider what form the new flag should take... By extending the deadline, there is now ample opportunity for Fijians of all ages and backgrounds to further contribute and consider what symbols most appropriately represent our wonderful nation. '' On 24 December 2015, the Fijian government announced that it had again put off a decision on the country 's new flag via delaying the next stage by another two months to the end of February 2016. In a statement, the government said that it had now received new submissions since it released 23 designs earlier in 2015, and that it was still seeking more. Furthermore, it was announced that five designs would be chosen through the Prime Minister 's Office in March 2016, with the public then having three months to select one. The government also said it expected to announce the new flag on 1 July 2016 or at a later date, and that it planned to raise the new flag on Constitution Day, 7 September 2017 ( a new public holiday celebrating the 2013 Constitution of Fiji ). However, on 17 August 2016, Bainimarama publicly announced that the government was abandoning plans to change the flag. He read out a statement saying : `` While I remain convinced personally that we need to replace some of the flag 's colonial symbols with a genuinely indigenous expression of our present and our future, it has been apparent to the Government since February that the flag should not be changed for the foreseeable future ''. The flag 's popularity had been boosted by the country winning its first ever Olympic gold medal under its banner in the 2016 Summer Olympics. The decision to retain the current flag was welcomed by opposition parties. Ensigns of Fiji Merchant Ensign Government Ensign Naval Ensign Civil Air Ensign Historical United Tribes of Fiji, 1865 - 1867 United Tribes of Fiji, 1867 - 1869 Kingdom of Lau, 1869 - 1871 Personal flag of the King of Lau, 1869 - 1871 Governor - General of Fiji, 1970 - 1987 See also List of Fijian flags Notes Jump up ^ The motto `` Fear God. Honour the king. '' was taken from the New Testament ( 1 Peter 2 -- 17 ). References Jump up ^ Smith, Whitney. `` Fiji, flag of ''. Encyclopædia Britannica. Jump up ^ `` Union Jack may disappear from Fiji flag ''. The Australian. News Limited. AAP. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013. Jump up ^ `` Fiji to change its flag, replacing colonial symbols ''. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015. Jump up ^ `` Fiji to remove Union Jack from flag ''. RTÉ. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015. Jump up ^ `` Give your opinion on the committee designs ! ''. A New Flag For A New Fiji. Retrieved 12 August 2015. Jump up ^ `` Fiji Extends Deadline for Decision on New Flag ''. NDTV. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` More flag delays in Fiji ''. Radio New Zealand International. 24 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016. Jump up ^ `` Fiji PM says flag wo n't be changed ''. Radio New Zealand International. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016. Sources High Commission of the Republic of the Fiji Islands to New Zealand -- National Symbols of Fiji. `` Ensigns for use in Government vessels, in merchant ships and in naval vessels are of the same basic design, but have dark blue, red and white background respectively ''. Accessed 2 February 2006 Barraclough, E.M.C. and Crampton, W.G. ( 1978 ). Flags of the World. London : Frederick Warne. ISBN 0 - 7232 - 2015 - 8. P. 209 et seq. `` The Civil Air Ensign is like that of Britain, except that it has the shield of Fiji placed on the arm of the cross. '' External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flags of Fiji. Fiji at Flags of the World http://www.flagscorner.com/fiji-flag/ Media related to Flags based on British ensigns at Wikimedia Commons Fiji articles History Heads of State Cakobau period Colonial period Modern history 1977 crisis 1987 coups Military -- church relations 2000 coup Reconciliation Commission 2005 -- 2006 crisis 2006 coup 2009 crisis Geography Archipelagoes Cities and towns Earthquakes Provinces Rivers Rotuma Volcanoes Wildlife Politics Attorney - General Chiefly system Burebasaga Kubuna Tovata 1997 Constitution 2013 Constitution Cabinet Elections electoral system Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister for Foreign Affairs Great Council of Chiefs Human rights LGBT LGBT history Judiciary High Court Court of Appeal Supreme Court Law enforcement Local government Military Monarchy Parliament Senate House of Representatives Political parties President Vice-President Prime Minister Proposed charter Economy Central bank Companies Fijian dollar ( currency ) Stock exchange Telecommunications Transport airports Society Demographics Education Fijian people Indo - Fijians Languages Religion Christianity Hinduism Islam Rotuman people Culture Anthem Cinema Coat of arms Festivals Flag Meke ( dance ) Literature Music Mythology Notable people Sports Traditions and ceremonies Outline Index Portal Flags of Oceania Sovereign states Australia Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Associated states of New Zealand Cook Islands Niue Dependencies and other territories American Samoa Christmas Island Cocos ( Keeling ) Islands Easter Island French Polynesia Guam Hawaii New Caledonia Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Pitcairn Islands Tokelau Wallis and Futuna National and regional flags incorporating the Union Jack Sovereign states Australia Fiji New Zealand Tuvalu United Kingdom Dependent territories United Kingdom Anguilla Ascension Island Bermuda British Antarctic Territory British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Falkland Islands Montserrat Pitcairn Islands Saint Helena South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Tristan da Cunha Turks and Caicos Islands New Zealand Cook Islands Niue Ross Dependency States, provinces and other administrative divisions Australia New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia Canada British Columbia Manitoba Ontario United States Hawaii Cities Chile Coquimbo United States Baton Rouge, Louisiana Taunton, Massachusetts Miscellaneous Flags based on British ensigns Mosquito Kingdom ( 1844 -- 1860 ) List of British flags Historical flags of the British Empire George Rex Flag Flags inspired by the Union Jack Basque Country St. Pierre & Miquelon Newfoundland & Labrador Historical Canada South Africa Newfoundland National flags and coats of arms National flags Sovereign states Dependent territories Timeline National coats of arms Sovereign states Dependent territories Heraldry portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flag_of_Fiji&oldid=832579600 '' Categories : National symbols of Fiji National flags Blue Ensigns Flags introduced in 1970 Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from January 2012 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Languages Afrikaans አማርኛ Беларуская Български Bosanski Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto فارسی Français Galego ગુજરાતી 한국어 Հայերեն हिन्दी Hrvatski বিষ্ণুপ্রিয়া মণিপুরী Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Basa Jawa Lietuvių Magyar Македонски Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Tok Pisin Plattdüütsch Polski Português Русский Scots Simple English Slovenčina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska ไทย Türkçe Українська Yorùbá 中文 41 more Edit links This page was last edited on 26 March 2018, at 20 : 45. 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Question: why is the union jack on the fiji flag
Answer: reflects the country's links with the United Kingdom