As the
above picture of the Tonga Flag indicates a red flag with a bold
red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
According to
Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated
with colors. The colors on the Tonga flag represent the
following:
White -
peace and honesty
Red -
hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
The
basic style shown in the picture of the Tonga flag is
described as Canton reflecting the
central design of the flag pattern
All Flag
pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view,
from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Tonga flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side )
is called the Hoist the upper
left quarter of the flag is called the Canton and pictures
a red cross
The Meaning
& History of the Tonga Flag - The Tongan flag was originally
identical flag to that of the Red Cross organisation. To
avoid confusion, the Tongan national flag was changed so that
their former flag, depicting the red cross, appeared as the
canton of a red ensign
The flag of
Tonga was adopted on November 4, 1975
Flag
Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description
uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear
with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called
Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a
Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the
Flag Quiz
Flag History &
Evolution:
The idea of
flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and
the battlefield
Shields were
painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors
needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying
a pole was adopted
An emblem
such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the
pole for identification
The emblems
were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats
of Arms were born
These
emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans
were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and
fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of
fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict
rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and
creating a modern flag
Tonga
Flag Etiquette
Tonga Flag etiquette is very strict and is is
essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag
Etiquette applies to all nations, including Tonga as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of
precedence for the flag
National Flag of
Tonga
State Flag of Tonga
Military Flag of
Tonga (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Tonga
The United Nations uses alphabetical order
when presenting a national flag including the Tonga Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures
that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's
flag
The National flag of
Tonga should never be flown
above another national flag on the same staff as this would
suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or
Nation, over another
The Tonga flag should never be allowed to drag
along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of
Tonga should be removed
and replaced with a new flag
Due care and
consideration must be taken to ensure that the Tonga flag is
always
flown the correct way up
A Flag of Tonga, when in such
condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display,
should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in
private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Tonga Flag display
Hoist - the
act or function of raising the Tonga flag, as on a rope
Half Staff
or Half Mast - the Tonga flag is hoisted to half of the potential
height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed
by first raising the Tonga flag to the top, then lowering the
Tonga Flag halfway
Distress -
denoted by flying the Tonga flag upside-down
Manner of
hoisting - The Tonga flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously
No
disrespect should be shown to the Tonga flag
The Tonga flag
should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a
manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in
any way
The Tonga
flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it,
nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure,
design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The
Tonga flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Tonga
Flag usage forbids the
display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation
in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and
information regarding Tonga Flag Etiquette has provided a useful
resource
Tonga
Location:
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific
Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Land Size of
Tonga : 718 sq km
Climate / Weather
of Tonga : tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season
(December to May), cool season (May to December)
Population of
Tonga : 110,237 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) :
Friendly Islands
Capital City of
Tonga : Nuku'alofa
GDP of Tonga :
$236 million (2001 est.)
Main Industries :
tourism, fishing
Currency of Tonga
: pa'anga (TOP)
Agricultural
products : squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans,
cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Main Colors of
Tonga Flag : red and white
Concise History of
Tonga & its Flag
People first
colonized Tonga more than 1200 years ago from the Santa Cruz
Islands
The 'Lapita'
people settled in the Polynesian islands now known as Tonga,
Samoa and Fiji
The Tongan
Empire was established by the 1200's
1600's -
first Europeans arrive
Dutch
explorers Willem Schouten and Le Maire landed in 1616
The British
Captain Cook in first landed in 1773
1845 - Tonga
was united into a Polynesian kingdom
In 1875
Tonga was declared a constitutional monarchy
In 1900
Tonga became a British protected state under a Treaty of
Friendship
Tonga joined
the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970
1999 - Tonga
joined the United Nations
"Around the World in 80
minutes!"
A combination of information
regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events
provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this
concise information with specific facts will improve your
overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource
accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80
minutes!"
The
Flag and Nation of Tonga
We hope that the presentation of facts
and information regarding the Flag and Country of Tonga has
provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge
of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag and Nations
Index and test your knowledge with our
interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and
it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the
right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
