Tonga Flag

Tonga Flag

 

FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY

Flag of Tonga - Description of the Tonga Flag
  • 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 left half 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
 

Canton - Flag Terminology

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
 
 
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
 
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 anew flag
 
 
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
 

National Flags of the World Map

Tonga

Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South
Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds
of the way from Hawaii to
New Zealand

 
 

Tonga

  • 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
 
 
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.

 

Tonga Flag

Tonga Flag - Picture - Information - Facts - History - Tonga Flag - Emblem - Coat of Arms - Meaning - Colors - Flag Terminolgy and Protocol  - Tonga Flag - Culture - Geography - Info - Picture - Information  - Tonga Flag - Pictures - Facts - History - Emblem - Coat of Arms - Meaning  - Tonga Flag - Colors - Flag Terminolgy and Protocol - Hoist - Fly - Canton - Tonga Flag - Culture - Geography - Info - Picture - Tonga Flag - Tonga Flag - Outdoor Flags - house Flags - Military Flags - Historical Flags - Patriotic Flags - Buy Flags - Historic Flags - National Flags - Writtn By Linda Alchin