Flag of Palau
countryThe flag of Palau was adopted on January 1, 1981 to a design by Blau Skebong. Light blue field with an offset yellow disc. It uses 2 colours: light blue and yellow. The official proportions are 5:8.
Hoist
Ratio 5:8
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Palau |
|---|---|
| Country | Palau |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Palau |
| Capital | Ngerulmud |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Region | Micronesia |
| ISO Country Code | PW / PLW |
| Internet Domain | .pw |
| Calling Code | +680 |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | English, Palauan |
| Demonym | Palauan |
| Area | 459 km² |
| Population | 0.02 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Palau |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | January 1, 1981 |
| First Used | 1981 |
| Current Version Adopted | January 1, 1981 |
| Flag Proportion | 5:8 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Light Blue, Yellow |
| Designer | Blau Skebong |
| Design Type | Light blue field with an offset yellow disc |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Palau |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Blue | #4AADD6 | 74, 173, 214 | 65, 19, 0, 16 | |
| Yellow | #FFDE00 | 255, 222, 0 | 0, 13, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Light Blue colour | Represents the Pacific Ocean and the transition to self-government |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents the full moon |
| Full moon | In Palauan tradition the full moon is the best time for fishing, planting and celebration — the disc is set toward the hoist so it appears centred when flying |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1981 | The design was first used |
| 1981-01-01 | 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 | 5:8 |
|---|---|
| Width | 5 units (hoist) |
| Length | 8 units (fly) |
Palau 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 Palau
| 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 | 45 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | January 1, 1981 |
| Oldest Version | 1981 |
| Designer | Blau Skebong |
| Most Common Color | Light Blue |
| Similar Flags | Alaska, Aruba, Brazil |
| Unique Feature | Light blue field with an offset yellow disc |
Other plain field with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Palau
- The gold disc is the moon rather than the sun, and it is placed slightly toward the hoist so that it appears centred when flying.
- The full moon carries particular significance in Palauan tradition as the right time for fishing, planting and ceremony.
- The flag of Palau was officially adopted on January 1, 1981. It was designed by Blau Skebong.
- The flag in its present form is 45 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Light blue field with an offset yellow disc.
- The official proportions are 5:8. It shares that ratio with 3 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: light blue and yellow.
- The light blue on the flag stands for the Pacific Ocean and the transition to self-government.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the full moon.
- Full moon: In Palauan tradition the full moon is the best time for fishing, planting and celebration — the disc is set toward the hoist so it appears centred when flying.
- 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: Alaska, Aruba and Brazil.
- Palau became independent on 1 October 1994 from the United States, which administered the islands under a United Nations trusteeship.
- Baseball is the national sport.
- The national anthem is "Belau rekid".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 1 October, Independence Day.
- The capital is Ngerulmud. The currency is the United States dollar (USD).
- It covers 459 km² and has a population of about 0.02 million (2025 est.).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Palau
When was the flag of Palau adopted?
The flag of Palau was officially adopted on January 1, 1981.
What do the colours of the flag of Palau mean?
Light blue for the Pacific Ocean and the transition to self-government and yellow for the full moon.
When did Palau gain independence?
Palau became independent on 1 October 1994 from the United States, which administered the islands under a United Nations trusteeship.
What is the national sport of Palau?
Baseball is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Palau represent?
Full moon — In Palauan tradition the full moon is the best time for fishing, planting and celebration — the disc is set toward the hoist so it appears centred when flying.
Who designed the flag of Palau?
The flag was designed by Blau Skebong.
What are the proportions of the flag of Palau?
The official ratio is 5:8, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 3 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Palau?
The national anthem is "Belau rekid".
When is the national day of Palau?
It falls on 1 October, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Palau?
The capital is Ngerulmud. The currency is the United States dollar (USD) and the language spoken is English, Palauan.