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The flag of the Marquesas Islands is the flag chosen by the regional government to represent the islands. However, it is not formally recognized by France, the administrative government of the region.
The first version of the flag was revealed December 30, 1978 by the Motu Haka Association. The flag was formally adopted by the local government on November 30, 1998. The flag was used informally for many years, having been first raised on December 14, 1980, at the opening of the
File:Flag of France.svg, Flag of France
File:Flag of French Polynesia.svg, Flag of French Polynesia
File:Flag of Nuku Hiva.svg, Flag associated with the so-called "Kingdom of Nuku Hiva"
Description
The flag is divided into two horizontal stripes with yellow on top and red on bottom, with a white equilateral triangle emerging from the hoist. The yellow represents youth and joy, while the red and white are ''tapu'', or sacred, to the chiefs and priests respectively. In the white triangle, a black design of '' Matatiki'' (English: the gaze ofTiki
In Māori mythology, Tiki is the first man created by either Tūmatauenga or Tāne. He found the first woman, Marikoriko, in a pond; she seduced him and he became the father of Hine-kau-ataata. By extension, a tiki is a large or small wooden, ...
) represents the first man in Polynesian mythology, and the inventor of sculpture and tattooing. The tattoo design on Tiki's cheeks are ''tapu'' symbols.
History
The first version of the flag was revealed December 30, 1978 by the Motu Haka Association. The flag was formally adopted by the local government on November 30, 1998. The flag was used informally for many years, having been first raised on December 14, 1980, at the opening of the airport
An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surfa ...
on Nuku Hiva
Nuku Hiva (sometimes spelled Nukahiva or Nukuhiva) is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas country of France in the Pacific Ocean. It was formerly also known as ''Île Marchand'' and ''Madison Island''.
Herman ...
.
The design of ''Matatiki'' has appeared in several versions throughout the years. The design was most recently updated in 2017 by Teiki Huukena, a Marquesas Island tattoo artist.
Other Flags of the Marquesas Islands
Flag of France
The flag of France is the onlyensign
An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...
officially recognized by the French government to represent the Marquesas Islands.
Flag of French Polynesia
The overseas country which Marquesas Islands are a part of also has its own flag. It was adopted by the regional government in 1984.Kingdom of Nuku Hiva Flag
On June 1, 1835, French nobleman Baron de Thierry declared himself king ofNuku Hiva
Nuku Hiva (sometimes spelled Nukahiva or Nukuhiva) is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas country of France in the Pacific Ocean. It was formerly also known as ''Île Marchand'' and ''Madison Island''.
Herman ...
, the largest island of the Marquesas. The so-called kingdom was never formalized in any way and Thierry left the island shortly after. A design associated with this Thierry's claim has appeared in publications and throughout the internet, but its origin and connection to the historical incident remain unverified.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Marquesas Islands, flag of Flag French Marquesan culture Marquesas IslandsMarquesas
The Marquesas Islands (; french: Îles Marquises or ' or '; Marquesan: ' (North Marquesan) and ' (South Marquesan), both meaning "the land of men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in t ...
Marquesas Islands