Flag of Samoa
countryThe flag of Samoa was adopted on February 24, 1949. Red field with a blue canton bearing the Southern Cross. It uses 3 colours: red, blue and white. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Samoa |
|---|---|
| Country | Samoa |
| Official Country Name | Independent State of Samoa |
| Capital | Apia |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Region | Polynesia |
| ISO Country Code | WS / WSM |
| Internet Domain | .ws |
| Calling Code | +685 |
| Currency | Samoan tālā (WST) |
| National Language(s) | English, Samoan |
| Demonym | Samoan |
| Area | 2,842 km² |
| Population | 0.22 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Samoa |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | February 24, 1949 |
| First Used | 1948 |
| Current Version Adopted | February 24, 1949 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, Blue, White |
| Design Type | Red field with a blue canton bearing the Southern Cross |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Samoa |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| Blue | #002B7F | 0, 43, 127 | 100, 66, 0, 50 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents courage |
|---|---|
| Blue colour | Represents freedom |
| White colour | Represents purity and the stars |
| Southern Cross | Five white stars, including a smaller one, marking the islands’ place in the southern sky |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1948 | The design was first used |
| 1949-02-24 | 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) |
Samoa 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 Samoa
| 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 | 77 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | February 24, 1949 |
| Oldest Version | 1948 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Taiwan, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna |
| Unique Feature | Red field with a blue canton bearing the Southern Cross |
Other field with an emblem in the canton flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Samoa
- The Southern Cross in the canton has five stars, one smaller than the others — a detail that distinguishes it from Australia's rendering.
- The flag was adopted in 1949 and kept unchanged at independence in 1962.
- The flag of Samoa was officially adopted on February 24, 1949.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1948, 1 years before it was formally made the flag of Samoa.
- The flag in its present form is 77 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Red field with a blue canton bearing the Southern Cross.
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, blue and white.
- The red on the flag stands for courage.
- The blue on the flag stands for freedom.
- The white on the flag stands for purity and the stars.
- Southern Cross: Five white stars, including a smaller one, marking the islands’ place in the southern sky.
- The design belongs to the "Field with an emblem in the canton" family, shared with 4 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Taiwan, Tonga and Wallis and Futuna.
- Samoa became independent on 1 January 1962 from New Zealand.
- Samoa was the first Pacific island nation to gain independence in the twentieth century.
- Rugby union is the national sport, alongside the traditional game of kilikiti.
- The national anthem is "The Banner of Freedom".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Samoa
When was the flag of Samoa adopted?
The flag of Samoa was officially adopted on February 24, 1949, though the design had already been in use since 1948.
What do the colours of the flag of Samoa mean?
Red for courage, blue for freedom and white for purity and the stars.
When did Samoa gain independence?
Samoa became independent on 1 January 1962 from New Zealand. Samoa was the first Pacific island nation to gain independence in the twentieth century.
What is the national sport of Samoa?
Rugby union is the national sport, alongside the traditional game of kilikiti.
What do the symbols on the flag of Samoa represent?
Southern Cross — Five white stars, including a smaller one, marking the islands’ place in the southern sky.
What are the proportions of the flag of Samoa?
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 Samoa?
The national anthem is "The Banner of Freedom".
When is the national day of Samoa?
It falls on 1 June, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Samoa?
The capital is Apia. The currency is the Samoan tālā (WST) and the language spoken is English, Samoan.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Samoa?
The closest matches are Taiwan, Tonga and Wallis and Futuna, which share both the construction and most of the colours.