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!
