Flag of the Austral Islands
The Flag of the Austral Islands is the flag of the Austral Islands of French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean administered by France. Description. The flag has a ratio of 2:3 and is divided into three vertical stripes: red, white and red, with the proportions 1:3:1. In the white central stripe is a blue emblem surrounded by five stars representing the five high islands that constitute the Austral Islands: Rurutu, Tubuai, Rimatara, Rivavae and Rapa. The central emblem represents a stylized "penu", rock or piece of carved coral used to crush food or medicines, and  symbolizes the archipelago. The red stripes are a reminder that the archipelago is part of French Polynesia, and blue symbolizes the sea. The colors are prescribed as red Pantone 185c and blue Pantone 286c. On 4 December 1985, the Territorial Government decreed that the flag of the archipelagos and islands of French Polynesia may be flown next to the French Polynesian Territorial flag and the French National flag. Historical flag. The former flag of the Austral Islands has a white vertical stripe placed along the hoist, covering 1/3 of the flag length and containing the writing ARCHIPEL / DES / ILES / AUSTRALES  ("Archipelago of the Austral Islands"). The remaining 2/3 is horizontally divided into five bands with the colors yellow, red, white, green and blue.