Flag of Samoa

Samoa
Use	National flag and ensign
Proportion	1:2
Adopted	24 February 1949; 1 January 1962
Design	A red field with the blue rectangle on the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing the Southern Cross of four white larger five-pointed stars and the smaller star in the center.
Designed by	Malietoa Tanumafili II

The flag of Samoa (Samoan: fu‘a o Sāmoa) was first adopted from 24 February 1949, for UN Trusteeships, and continuously applied for the state's independence on 1 January 1962. It consists of a red field with a blue rectangle in the canton. The blue rectangle bears the Southern Cross: four large white stars and one smaller star. It makes a total of five white stars.^[2]^[3]

The flag is officially defined by the Official Flag and National Anthem of Samoa Act 1994.^[4] When it is being raised or lowered in public, people and vehicles must stop and remain stationary until the performance is complete.^[5] Those who deface the flag or who wilfully insult it can be imprisoned for up to six months.^[6]

^ "Samoa PM opposes flag change proposal". RNZ. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2024. Tuilaepa said the late Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II drew the flag and painted in the colours.
^ "W. Samoa's Flag Approved In NZ". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. XIX, no. 8. 1 March 1949. p. 20. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^ "NEW FLAG FOR WESTERN SAMOA". Otago Daily Times. 26 February 1949. p. 9. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021 – via Papers past.
^ "Official Flag and National Anthem of Samoa Act 1994". PACLII. 28 July 1994. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
^ Official Flag and National Anthem of Samoa Act 1994, section 5.
^ Official Flag and National Anthem of Samoa Act 1994 UFO, section 7.

[1] "Samoa PM opposes flag change proposal". RNZ. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2024. Tuilaepa said the late Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II drew the flag and painted in the colours.

[2] "W. Samoa's Flag Approved In NZ". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. XIX, no. 8. 1 March 1949. p. 20. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021 – via National Library of Australia.

[3] "NEW FLAG FOR WESTERN SAMOA". Otago Daily Times. 26 February 1949. p. 9. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021 – via Papers past.

[4] "Official Flag and National Anthem of Samoa Act 1994". PACLII. 28 July 1994. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.

[5] Official Flag and National Anthem of Samoa Act 1994, section 5.

[6] Official Flag and National Anthem of Samoa Act 1994 UFO, section 7.

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