# flag of Tuvalu

> national flag of Tuvalu

**Wikidata**: [Q105643](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105643)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Tuvalu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flag-of-tuvalu

## Summary
The flag of Tuvalu is the official national flag representing the sovereign island nation of Tuvalu, characterized by a sky-blue field with the Union Jack in the canton and nine yellow stars arranged in a map-like pattern. Adopted on April 11, 1997, it serves as the primary visual identifier for the country in international diplomacy, maritime signaling, and domestic ceremonies. The design specifically incorporates the Union Jack to reflect historical ties and nine stars to symbolize the nation's nine islands.

## Key Facts
*   **Adoption Date:** The current version of the flag was officially adopted on April 11, 1997.
*   **Dimensions:** The flag has an aspect ratio of 2:1 (width to height).
*   **Primary Colors:** The design utilizes sky blue for the field, red, white, and yellow for the stars and Union Jack elements.
*   **Canton Design:** The upper left corner (canton) features the Union Jack.
*   **Star Configuration:** The fly contains nine five-pointed yellow stars, representing the nine islands of Tuvalu.
*   **Unicode Representation:** The flag is represented by the emoji character 🇹🇻.
*   **Wikidata ID:** The entity is identified as Q21203 (implied by context of "national flag of Tuvalu" and specific properties, though the source lists `instance_of: national flag` and specific IDs like Freebase `/m/0kgt2`).
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0kgt2 (referenced with publication date 2013-10-28).
*   **BabelNet ID:** 03660782n.
*   **Flags of the World ID:** tv.
*   **Wikipedia Title:** "Flag of Tuvalu" (English).
*   **Sitelink Count:** The entity has Wikipedia articles in 54 different languages.
*   **Commons Category:** "National flag of Tuvalu".
*   **Booru Tag:** `tuvaluan_flag`.
*   **OSM Name Suggestion Index ID:** tuvalu-e5dc93.
*   **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID:** topic/flag-of-Tuvalu (attributed to Whitney Smith).
*   **Google Play Store ID:** Tuvalus_flagg_og_skjold.
*   **Jurisdiction:** Applies specifically to Tuvalu.
*   **Depicts:** The flag depicts the Union Jack, a map of Tuvalu, and nine yellow stars.

## FAQs
**What do the nine stars on the flag of Tuvalu represent?**
The nine five-pointed yellow stars arranged on the sky-blue field specifically symbolize the nine islands that make up the nation of Tuvalu. Their arrangement is designed to loosely mimic the geographical map of the island chain.

**When was the current design of the Tuvaluan flag officially introduced?**
The flag currently in use was adopted on April 11, 1997, replacing previous versions that may have featured different arrangements or elements. This date marks the formal establishment of the design featuring the nine stars and the Union Jack in its current configuration.

**How is the flag of Tuvalu represented in digital and mapping systems?**
In digital ecosystems, the flag is tagged with the booru tag `tuvaluan_flag` and has a specific OpenStreetMap Name Suggestion Index ID of `tuvalu-e5dc93`. It is also represented by the Unicode emoji 🇹🇻 and is cataloged under the Wikimedia Commons category "National flag of Tuvalu."

**What is the significance of the Union Jack on the flag?**
The presence of the Union Jack in the canton (upper left corner) signifies Tuvalu's historical ties to the United Kingdom and its status as a Commonwealth realm. It serves as a visual link to the country's colonial past and its ongoing political relationships.

**In how many languages is the flag of Tuvalu documented on Wikipedia?**
The concept of the flag of Tuvalu is documented in 54 different language editions of Wikipedia, ranging from major global languages to regional dialects. This extensive multilingual presence highlights the global recognition of the nation's primary symbol.

## Why It Matters
The flag of Tuvalu is a critical instrument of national sovereignty, providing a distinct visual identity for a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean. It solves the fundamental diplomatic need for a recognizable symbol that distinguishes Tuvalu from other maritime nations during international interactions, shipping, and air travel. The flag's design, which integrates the Union Jack with a unique representation of the nine islands, encapsulates the nation's specific historical trajectory and geographical reality. Its adoption in 1997 marked a significant moment in the country's modern history, solidifying its national identity separate from its colonial administration. Furthermore, the flag serves as a focal point for national unity, appearing in ceremonies, on government buildings, and in digital spaces, thereby reinforcing the collective memory and civic pride of the Tuvaluan people.

## Notable For
*   **Unique Star Arrangement:** It is distinguished by the specific arrangement of nine yellow stars that form a map-like representation of the nation's islands, a feature not found in many other national flags.
*   **Specific Adoption Date:** The flag is notable for its precise adoption date of April 11, 1997, marking a specific era in Tuvalu's post-independence history.
*   **Multilingual Documentation:** It holds a significant presence with 54 Wikipedia language editions, demonstrating broad global interest and documentation.
*   **Digital Standardization:** The flag is uniquely identified across multiple digital platforms, including a specific Google Play Store ID, a BabelNet ID, and a dedicated OpenStreetMap suggestion index.
*   **Historical Continuity:** It maintains the Union Jack in the canton, distinguishing it from flags of nations that removed British symbols upon independence, reflecting a specific political choice.
*   **Aspect Ratio:** It adheres to a standard 2:1 aspect ratio, a common but specific technical specification for national flags.
*   **Unicode Integration:** It is fully integrated into modern digital communication via the 🇹🇻 emoji character.

## Body

### Definition and Core Classification
The flag of Tuvalu is the official national flag of the sovereign state of Tuvalu. It is classified as a subclass of "national flag" and functions as a primary national symbol. The entity is defined by its specific visual elements: a sky-blue field, the Union Jack in the canton, and nine yellow stars. It represents the nation of Tuvalu in all official capacities, serving as the paramount identifier for the state in international and domestic contexts. The flag is an instance of a "national flag" and is linked to the broader concept of "flag design" and "national symbol."

### Design Elements and Symbolism
The visual composition of the flag is highly specific and symbolic. The field is colored sky blue, representing the Pacific Ocean surrounding the islands. In the canton, the Union Jack is displayed, signifying historical ties to the United Kingdom. The fly of the flag features nine five-pointed stars, colored yellow. These stars are not merely decorative; they specifically depict the nine islands of Tuvalu. The arrangement of these stars is intended to resemble a map of the nation's geography. The flag also depicts a map of Tuvalu as a distinct element within its design logic. The color palette is strictly defined as sky blue, blue, red, white, and yellow.

### Historical Context and Adoption
The current iteration of the flag was officially adopted on April 11, 1997. This date marks the formal implementation of the design that remains in use today. The adoption of this specific flag followed a period of national development and reflects the country's status as an independent nation within the Commonwealth. The design choices made in 1997 balanced the retention of historical symbols (the Union Jack) with the assertion of national identity (the nine stars representing the islands).

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
The flag of Tuvalu is extensively cataloged in global knowledge systems and digital platforms. It possesses a unique Freebase ID of `/m/0kgt2`, referenced with a publication date of October 28, 2013. In the BabelNet semantic network, it is identified by the ID `03660782n`. The "Flags of the World" database assigns it the ID `tv`. For mapping and location services, it has an OpenStreetMap Name Suggestion Index ID of `tuvalu-e5dc93`. In image tagging communities, it is associated with the booru tag `tuvaluan_flag`. The flag is also listed in the Google Play Store under the ID `Tuvalus_flagg_og_skjold`. Its presence on Wikimedia Commons is organized under the category "National flag of Tuvalu."

### Multilingual and Cross-Platform Coverage
The concept of the flag of Tuvalu is documented across a vast array of languages and platforms. There are 54 Wikipedia articles dedicated to the flag, covering languages such as Afrikaans, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Banjar, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Bosnian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, German, Greek, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Estonian, Persian, Finnish, French, Galician, Hebrew, Hindi, Croatian, Hungarian, Armenian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lombard, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Low German, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Simple English, Slovak, Serbian, Swedish, Thai, Tok Pisin, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yoruba, and Chinese (including variants like Yue and Classical). The English Wikipedia title is "Flag of Tuvalu." The entity also has a dedicated entry in the Encyclopædia Britannica Online under the ID `topic/flag-of-Tuvalu`, with the label "flag of Tuvalu" and author attribution to Whitney Smith.

### Technical Specifications and Metadata
The flag adheres to a standard aspect ratio of 2:1. It is represented in Unicode as the character 🇹🇻. The entity is linked to the jurisdiction of Tuvalu. It is associated with the Wikimedia Commons category "National flag of Tuvalu." The flag's design includes specific qualifiers for its parts: the Union Jack applies to the canton, the stars are yellow and five-pointed, and the field is sky blue. The flag is also linked to a "gallery of sovereign-state flags" and is part of the broader "Category:National flags." The entity is connected to the "timeline of national flags" and the "Flags by country" category.

### Related Entities and Context
The flag of Tuvalu is intrinsically linked to the nation of Tuvalu itself. It is an instance of the class "national flag." The design elements include the Union Jack, which is a flag in its own right, and the map of Tuvalu. The flag is part of the "Flags of the World" database entry for Tuvalu. It is referenced in the context of the "National flag" class, which has 66 sitelinks in the broader knowledge base, while the specific Tuvalu entity has 54. The flag is also connected to the "Commons category" for "Flags by country." The entity is associated with the "Booru tag" `tuvaluan_flag` and the "OpenStreetMap tag" `flag:type=national` (implied by the general national flag context, though the specific tag for Tuvalu is `tuvalu-e5dc93`). The flag is a subject of the "Encyclopedia of Korean Culture" and other national thesauri, reflecting its global recognition.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet
3. Name Suggestion Index