Flag of Palau

Meaning and history of the flag of Palau

Palau's flag is strikingly simple: a golden-yellow disc, slightly offset toward the hoist, on a sky-blue field. The blue field represents the Pacific Ocean surrounding this small Micronesian archipelago, while the golden disc symbolizes the full moon, a time of special importance to Palauans, associated with peace, tranquility, and communal activities such as fishing, planting, and harvesting.

Adopted on January 1, 1981, when Palau became a republic, the flag's design is deliberately reminiscent of Japan's, replacing Japan's red sun with a golden moon on a blue rather than white field. The disc's offset toward the hoist is intentional, for aesthetic reasons: when the flag flutters in the wind, the circle appears visually centered. Palau was administered by Japan from 1914 to 1944, and this visual reference is no coincidence — it reflects part of the country's history.

You can view the flag of Palau in high resolution above and download it in several sizes for personal, educational or reference use. To explore more, visit the full Palau profile, its map, or the current local time in Ngerulmud.