Flag of Northern Mariana Islands
territoryThe flag of Northern Mariana Islands was adopted on July 1, 1985. Blue field with a grey latte stone, white star and mwar wreath. It uses 4 colours: blue, white, grey and brown. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Northern Mariana Islands |
|---|---|
| Country | Northern Mariana Islands |
| Official Country Name | Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands |
| Capital | Saipan |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Region | Micronesia |
| ISO Country Code | MP / MNP |
| Internet Domain | .mp |
| Calling Code | +1670 |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | Carolinian, Chamorro, English |
| Demonym | American |
| Area | 464 km² |
| Population | 56,882 (2018 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Northern Mariana Islands |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 1, 1985 |
| First Used | 1972 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 1, 1985 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Grey, Brown |
| Design Type | Blue field with a grey latte stone, white star and mwar wreath |
| Official Status | Official Territorial Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #0071BC | 0, 113, 188 | 100, 40, 0, 26 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Grey | #8C8C8C | 140, 140, 140 | 0, 0, 0, 45 | |
| Brown | #4F3222 | 79, 50, 34 | 0, 37, 57, 69 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the Pacific Ocean |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the star |
| Grey colour | Represents the latte stone |
| Brown colour | Represents the wreath |
| Latte stone | The stone pillar used as a foundation by the ancient Chamorro people |
| Mwar-mwar | A wreath of flowers and shells of the Carolinian people |
| White star | The territory’s commonwealth status |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1972 | The design was first used |
| 1985-07-01 | 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) |
Northern Mariana Islands Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Northern Mariana Islands
| 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 | 41 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 1, 1985 |
| Oldest Version | 1972 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Antarctica, Arkansas, Aruba |
| Unique Feature | Blue field with a grey latte stone, white star and mwar wreath |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See allFacts about the Flag of Northern Mariana Islands
- The grey latte stone in the centre is the carved stone pillar used as a foundation for traditional Chamorro houses, and it appears on no other flag.
- The mwar, a wreath of flowers, was added around the star and stone in 1981 to represent the Carolinian community alongside the Chamorro.
- The flag of Northern Mariana Islands was officially adopted on July 1, 1985.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1972, 13 years before it was formally made the flag of Northern Mariana Islands.
- The flag in its present form is 41 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Blue field with a grey latte stone, white star and mwar wreath.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 55 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: blue, white, grey and brown.
- The blue on the flag stands for the Pacific Ocean.
- The white on the flag stands for the star.
- The grey on the flag stands for the latte stone.
- Latte stone: The stone pillar used as a foundation by the ancient Chamorro people.
- Mwar-mwar: A wreath of flowers and shells of the Carolinian people.
- White star: The territory’s commonwealth status.
- The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Antarctica, Arkansas and Aruba.
- Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, administered by the United States.
- Baseball and basketball are the most popular sports.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Northern Mariana Islands
When was the flag of Northern Mariana Islands adopted?
The flag of Northern Mariana Islands was officially adopted on July 1, 1985, though the design had already been in use since 1972.
What do the colours of the flag of Northern Mariana Islands mean?
Blue for the Pacific Ocean, white for the star, grey for the latte stone and brown for the wreath.
Is Northern Mariana Islands an independent country?
Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, administered by the United States, a status held since 1978.
What is the national sport of Northern Mariana Islands?
Baseball and basketball are the most popular sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of Northern Mariana Islands represent?
Latte stone — The stone pillar used as a foundation by the ancient Chamorro people. Mwar-mwar — A wreath of flowers and shells of the Carolinian people. White star — The territory’s commonwealth status.
What are the proportions of the flag of Northern Mariana Islands?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 55 national flags.
When is the national day of Northern Mariana Islands?
It falls on 8 January, Commonwealth Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Northern Mariana Islands?
The capital is Saipan. The currency is the United States dollar (USD) and the language spoken is Carolinian, Chamorro, English.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Northern Mariana Islands?
The closest matches are Antarctica, Arkansas and Aruba, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Northern Mariana Islands?
It uses 4 colours: blue, white, grey and brown.
