Flag of the Cook Islands

What the flag of the Cook Islands looks like

The flag is a dark blue field with a 1:2 ratio. The Union Jack of the United Kingdom is in the upper hoist corner (next to the pole). In the fly, which is the right half, fifteen white five-pointed stars are arranged in a circle.

The flag follows the traditional pattern of a Blue Ensign used by former British colonies in the Pacific; its official name is the Cook Islands Ensign.

Cook Islands flag meaning and symbolism

The fifteen stars stand for the fifteen islands of the group, which is the answer to the question of why there are 15 stars. The islands are divided into a northern and a southern group, and the circle suggests that they are united as one nation. Blue represents the ocean and the peaceful nature of the inhabitants.

The Union Jack symbolizes the islands' historic ties to the United Kingdom and to the Commonwealth of Nations.

History of the Cook Islands flag

The islands came under British protection in 1888 and were annexed to New Zealand in 1901. The islands became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965, a date now celebrated as Constitution Day.

A federal flag bill was proposed in 1892 but not assented to, and after annexation the New Zealand flag was used. A contest in 1973 drew 120 entries; the winner was a green ensign with fifteen gold stars in a circle, first raised on 24 January 1974. In 1979 it was replaced by the current blue ensign, which has stayed the same since.

The Cook Islands are not a member of the United Nations but are treated as a country in many ways. Citizens hold New Zealand citizenship; see also the flag of New Zealand, the Cook Islands flag emoji, and other flags of Oceania.