Flag of Kiribati
countryThe flag of Kiribati was adopted on July 12, 1979. Red over wavy blue and white, with a frigatebird and rising sun. It uses 4 colours: red, blue, white and gold. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Kiribati |
|---|---|
| Country | Kiribati |
| Official Country Name | Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati |
| Capital | South Tarawa |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Region | Micronesia |
| ISO Country Code | KI / KIR |
| Internet Domain | .ki |
| Calling Code | +686 |
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD), Kiribati dollar (KID) |
| National Language(s) | English, Gilbertese |
| Demonym | I-Kiribati |
| Area | 811 km² |
| Population | 0.14 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Kiribati |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 12, 1979 |
| First Used | 1937 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 12, 1979 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Red, Blue, White, Gold |
| Design Type | Red over wavy blue and white, with a frigatebird and rising sun |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Kiribati |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| Blue | #003F87 | 0, 63, 135 | 100, 53, 0, 47 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Gold | #FFD100 | 255, 209, 0 | 0, 18, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the upper field |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents the Pacific Ocean |
| White colour | Represents the three waves |
| Gold colour | Represents the sun and frigatebird |
| Frigatebird | Command of the sea, power and freedom |
| Rising sun | The country’s position astride the equator, and the seventeen rays for the sixteen Gilbert Islands and Banaba |
| Three waves | The three island groups — the Gilberts, Phoenix and Line Islands |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1937 | The design was first used |
| 1979-07-12 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Kiribati Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Kiribati
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 47 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 12, 1979 |
| Oldest Version | 1937 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Unique Feature | Red over wavy blue and white, with a frigatebird and rising sun |
Facts about the Flag of Kiribati
- The design is a coat of arms rendered as a flag rather than a flag with arms added, which is why the frigatebird and sun fill the whole field.
- The seventeen rays of the sun represent the sixteen Gilbert Islands together with Banaba, and the three white bands are the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line island groups.
- The sun sits exactly on the horizon, marking the country's position astride the equator.
- The flag of Kiribati was officially adopted on July 12, 1979.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1937, 42 years before it was formally made the flag of Kiribati.
- The flag in its present form is 47 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Red over wavy blue and white, with a frigatebird and rising sun.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: red, blue, white and gold.
- The red on the flag stands for the upper field.
- The blue on the flag stands for the Pacific Ocean.
- The white on the flag stands for the three waves.
- Frigatebird: Command of the sea, power and freedom.
- Rising sun: The country’s position astride the equator, and the seventeen rays for the sixteen Gilbert Islands and Banaba.
- Three waves: The three island groups — the Gilberts, Phoenix and Line Islands.
- Kiribati became independent on 12 July 1979 from the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national animal is the great frigatebird, the bird on the flag itself.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Kiribati
When was the flag of Kiribati adopted?
The flag of Kiribati was officially adopted on July 12, 1979, though the design had already been in use since 1937.
What do the colours of the flag of Kiribati mean?
Red for the upper field, blue for the Pacific Ocean, white for the three waves and gold for the sun and frigatebird.
When did Kiribati gain independence?
Kiribati became independent on 12 July 1979 from the United Kingdom.
What is the national sport of Kiribati?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Kiribati represent?
Frigatebird — Command of the sea, power and freedom. Rising sun — The country’s position astride the equator, and the seventeen rays for the sixteen Gilbert Islands and Banaba. Three waves — The three island groups — the Gilberts, Phoenix and Line Islands.
What are the proportions of the flag of Kiribati?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Kiribati?
The national anthem is "Teirake Kaini Kiribati".
When is the national day of Kiribati?
It falls on 12 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Kiribati?
The national animal is the great frigatebird, the bird on the flag itself.
What is the capital of Kiribati?
The capital is South Tarawa. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD), Kiribati dollar (KID) and the language spoken is English, Gilbertese.