Flag of Papua New Guinea
countryThe flag of Papua New Guinea was adopted on July 1, 1971 to a design by Susan Karike. Diagonally divided field with a bird of paradise and the Southern Cross. It uses 4 colours: red, black, gold and white. The official proportions are 3:4.
Hoist
Ratio 3:4
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Country | Papua New Guinea |
| Official Country Name | Independent State of Papua New Guinea |
| Capital | Port Moresby |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Region | Melanesia |
| ISO Country Code | PG / PNG |
| Internet Domain | .pg |
| Calling Code | +675 |
| Currency | Papua New Guinean kina (PGK) |
| National Language(s) | English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin |
| Demonym | Papua New Guinean |
| Area | 462,840 km² |
| Population | 11 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 1, 1971 |
| First Used | 1971 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 1, 1971 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:4 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Red, Black, Gold, White |
| Designer | Susan Karike |
| Design Type | Diagonally divided field with a bird of paradise and the Southern Cross |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Papua New Guinea |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | |
| Gold | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the traditional colour of the people |
|---|---|
| Black colour | Represents the traditional colour of the people |
| Gold colour | Represents the bird of paradise |
| White colour | Represents the Southern Cross |
| Raggiana bird of paradise | The national bird, shown in flight |
| Southern Cross | The country’s place in the South Pacific and its links to Australia |
| Design origin | Chosen from a nationwide competition won by a 15-year-old schoolgirl |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1971 | The design was first used |
| 1971-07-01 | 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 | 3:4 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 4 units (fly) |
Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea
| 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 | 55 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 1, 1971 |
| Oldest Version | 1971 |
| Designer | Susan Karike |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Bhutan, Christmas Island |
| Unique Feature | Diagonally divided field with a bird of paradise and the Southern Cross |
Other diagonally divided field with an emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Papua New Guinea
- The flag was designed by Susan Karike, a fifteen-year-old schoolgirl, in a 1971 national competition, and was adopted essentially unaltered.
- The diagonal division lets the bird of paradise and the Southern Cross each occupy a full field rather than competing for space.
- Red and black were already widely used in the country's traditional art, which is part of why the design was accepted so readily.
- The flag of Papua New Guinea was officially adopted on July 1, 1971. It was designed by Susan Karike.
- The flag in its present form is 55 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Diagonally divided field with a bird of paradise and the Southern Cross.
- The official proportions are 3:4. It shares that ratio with 3 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: red, black, gold and white.
- The red on the flag stands for the traditional colour of the people.
- The black on the flag stands for the traditional colour of the people.
- The gold on the flag stands for the bird of paradise.
- Raggiana bird of paradise: The national bird, shown in flight.
- Southern Cross: The country’s place in the South Pacific and its links to Australia.
- Design origin: Chosen from a nationwide competition won by a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
- The design belongs to the "Diagonally divided field with an emblem" family, shared with 2 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Bhutan and Christmas Island.
- Papua New Guinea became independent on 16 September 1975 from Australia.
- Rugby league is the national sport.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Papua New Guinea
When was the flag of Papua New Guinea adopted?
The flag of Papua New Guinea was officially adopted on July 1, 1971.
What do the colours of the flag of Papua New Guinea mean?
Red for the traditional colour of the people, black for the traditional colour of the people, gold for the bird of paradise and white for the Southern Cross.
When did Papua New Guinea gain independence?
Papua New Guinea became independent on 16 September 1975 from Australia.
What is the national sport of Papua New Guinea?
Rugby league is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Papua New Guinea represent?
Raggiana bird of paradise — The national bird, shown in flight. Southern Cross — The country’s place in the South Pacific and its links to Australia. Design origin — Chosen from a nationwide competition won by a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
Who designed the flag of Papua New Guinea?
The flag was designed by Susan Karike.
What are the proportions of the flag of Papua New Guinea?
The official ratio is 3:4, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 3 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Papua New Guinea?
The national anthem is "O Arise, All You Sons".
When is the national day of Papua New Guinea?
It falls on 16 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Papua New Guinea?
The national animal is the Raggiana bird-of-paradise, the bird on the flag itself.