Wallis and Futuna Flag and Meaning
Flag of Wallis and Futuna
The flag of Wallis and Futuna is a symbol of the French Overseas Territory’s unique identity, historical background, and its close ties to France. Wallis and Futuna, located in the South Pacific Ocean, is a small group of islands that has been an overseas collectivity of France since 1961. The flag of Wallis and Futuna was officially adopted in 1961, and it consists of two main elements: the flag of France in the upper-left corner (representing the political connection with France) and a red field with four white stars (representing the local archipelago’s four main islands).
The flag reflects Wallis and Futuna’s political and cultural history, acknowledging its status as a French territory while also highlighting the importance of the islands’ indigenous culture. The red field with the four stars is a local symbol, representing the islands of Wallis, Futuna, and Alofi, along with the much smaller island of Iti, an important part of the archipelago.
The Flag of France
The flag of France is situated in the upper-left corner of the Wallis and Futuna flag and represents the political relationship between the islands and the French Republic. The three vertical stripes of blue, white, and red signify the unity of France and its territories. The inclusion of the French flag highlights Wallis and Futuna’s status as a French Overseas Territory and reinforces the political connection between the islands and mainland France.
While Wallis and Futuna is geographically distant from France, the presence of the French flag on the local flag serves as a reminder of the administrative, legal, and political influence that France has over the territory. It underscores Wallis and Futuna’s role within the French political system and its inclusion in the wider framework of the French Republic.
Flag Dimensions and Proportions
The dimensions of the Wallis and Futuna flag are based on a standard rectangular shape, with a 2:3 ratio (length:height). This means that the length of the flag is exactly twice the height, which is the most common flag ratio used in the world, providing balance and symmetry to the design. The flag is divided into two distinct sections:
- The upper-left quadrant features the flag of France, a vertical tricolor of blue, white, and red, with the blue stripe on the hoist side.
- The remaining right section of the flag has a solid red field with four white stars positioned diagonally within the red field.
The design ensures that both elements of the flag are clearly visible and well-proportioned. The French flag occupies about a quarter of the overall flag space, while the red field with the four stars takes up the remaining three-quarters. This division maintains the prominence of both the political connection to France and the local identity represented by the four stars.
Colors of the Flag
The color scheme of the Wallis and Futuna flag is made up of red, blue, white, and a touch of gold. These colors are significant in terms of both historical and cultural symbolism, reflecting the territory’s relationship with France and its indigenous heritage.
Red
The red color is one of the most prominent features of the Wallis and Futuna flag. It appears in the flag’s larger field, where it occupies the right section and serves as the background for the four stars. Red has multiple symbolic meanings on the flag. It is a color associated with strength, sacrifice, and courage, reflecting the resilience of the islanders through their colonial past and the modern political struggles they have faced.
Red also symbolizes the islands’ connection to France, as it is one of the prominent colors in the French national flag. It reinforces the idea of unity between Wallis and Futuna and France, linking the territory to the broader political and cultural framework of the French Republic.
Blue
Blue is the color used in the flag of France, located in the top-left corner. It represents the values of freedom, peace, and loyalty. Blue is often associated with the sea and the sky, both of which play a central role in the lives of the people of Wallis and Futuna. The color blue in the flag represents the unity of the French Republic, and its presence acknowledges the island’s integration into the wider French political and cultural structure.
Blue also signifies calm and stability, two qualities that the islands have sought to maintain throughout their history, particularly in their peaceful relationship with France and their ongoing pursuit of self-governance.
White
White, also part of the French flag, symbolizes peace, unity, and purity. It is used in the center of the French flag as well as in the stars within the red field on the Wallis and Futuna flag. The white stars represent the four main islands of the territory, and the white color highlights the importance of unity, community, and harmony between the islands and the French Republic.
White’s use on the flag enhances the contrast against the red background, making the stars stand out. This color also symbolizes the peace that the islands have sought to maintain both internally and in their relationship with France.
Gold (Yellow)
Gold (yellow) is a color that is not widely used in the flag but can be seen in some variations of the star’s depiction. Gold is traditionally associated with wealth, prosperity, and cultural richness. For Wallis and Futuna, the use of gold or yellow symbolizes the islands’ rich cultural heritage and history. The gold color also refers to the natural resources and the island’s agricultural wealth, which have been central to the livelihood of the local people for generations.
Gold represents the strength and vibrancy of the people of Wallis and Futuna, as well as their enduring culture and traditions despite outside influences and modern changes.
Symbols on the Flag
The primary symbols of the Wallis and Futuna flag are the Union Jack (representing the political relationship with France), the red field (representing the islanders’ local identity), and the four white stars (symbolizing the four islands that make up the territory). Together, these symbols create a cohesive design that reflects both the political status and the cultural uniqueness of Wallis and Futuna.
The Four Stars
The four white stars in the red field represent the four main islands of Wallis and Futuna: Wallis, Futuna, Alofi, and the much smaller island of Iti. The stars are arranged diagonally across the red field, a layout that symbolizes both unity and the geographical distribution of the islands.
Each star signifies one of the islands that make up the territory, underscoring their equal importance in the overall structure of Wallis and Futuna. The use of white for the stars signifies unity, peace, and cooperation between the islands, while the diagonal arrangement gives a sense of movement and connection between the islands despite their geographical separation. The stars serve as a visual reminder of the unity and interconnectedness of the islands and their shared identity within Wallis and Futuna.
The Union Jack
The Union Jack in the top-left corner of the flag symbolizes Wallis and Futuna’s political relationship with France. As an overseas territory of France, the presence of the Union Jack signifies the island’s integration into the broader French political and colonial system. It is also a nod to the island’s historical connection to the United Kingdom, although the islands have long been under French control.
The Union Jack emphasizes the role of France as the administering power over Wallis and Futuna, while also reflecting the French connection in the cultural, legal, and governance systems of the islands.
Cultural and National Identity
The flag of Wallis and Futuna is a significant representation of the islands’ cultural, national, and political identity. The flag reflects both the islanders’ enduring connection to France and the islands’ unique cultural heritage and history. The blend of symbols—particularly the four stars and the Union Jack—illustrates the relationship between the indigenous Polynesian culture of the islanders and the external influence of French governance.
Indigenous Culture and Polynesian Identity
The stars on the flag represent the four main islands of Wallis and Futuna, which are home to the native Polynesian people. The islands’ Polynesian identity is central to the flag’s meaning, with the design acknowledging the strength, unity, and resilience of the local culture.
The people of Wallis and Futuna have a rich cultural history that includes language, traditions, and art forms passed down through generations. Despite the island’s political status as a French territory, the flag’s use of local symbols—the four stars representing the islands—celebrates the islanders’ Polynesian heritage. The arrangement of the stars further emphasizes their individual identities while reinforcing the unity of the territory as a whole.
Relationship with France
The Union Jack in the top-left corner of the flag underscores the historical and ongoing connection between Wallis and Futuna and France. The islands were incorporated into French colonial rule in the 19th century, and today, they are an overseas collectivity of France. The inclusion of the Union Jack reflects this political relationship, acknowledging the governance structures and systems that have shaped the islands’ modern existence.
While the islands remain under French administration, the flag balances this political connection with the representation of local identity. The flag reflects the dual aspects of life on the islands: their heritage as part of France and their indigenous culture as part of the wider Polynesian world.
Unity of the Islands
The four white stars on the red field represent the islands of Wallis, Futuna, Alofi, and Iti, but also symbolize the unity of these islands. While the islands are geographically separated, the flag conveys that they are part of a cohesive and interconnected whole. The use of stars arranged diagonally emphasizes the relationship between the islands and their shared identity as part of the broader Wallis and Futuna territory.
The flag’s design emphasizes the concept of community and collective identity, with each island symbolized equally. The islands’ cooperation, both within their political structure and in their daily life, is reflected in the flag’s symbolism of unity through the shared stars.
Aspiration for Self-Determination
While the flag acknowledges Wallis and Futuna’s political status as a French overseas territory, it also reflects the aspirations of some islanders for greater self-governance and autonomy. The flag’s design balances the historical connection to France with a celebration of the islands’ cultural identity.
The colors, symbols, and design elements of the flag convey the islanders’ desire to maintain their unique cultural heritage while pursuing greater recognition and political rights within the broader framework of French governance. The stars and the red field represent the islands’ hopes for unity, self-determination, and prosperity. The flag is a visual reminder of both the challenges and aspirations of the people of Wallis and Futuna in their ongoing journey toward a more self-represented future.
Wallis and Futuna Overview
| Population | 15.000 |
| Currency | CFP francs |
| Area | 200 km² |
| Capital city | Mata-Utu |
| Population density | 75 residents/km² |
The territory consists of the Wallis archipelago which consists of the island of Uvea (159 km² and a number of small islands), the Futuna islands (64 km²) and the uninhabited island of Alofi (51 km²). The archipelago is located in the western part of Polynesia with Tuvalu to the north, Fiji to the south and Samoa group to the east. The climate is tropical and rainy. Economically, society relies on coconut trees – from which cobra is extracted – and from fishing.
The People: The population is of Polynesian origin. About two-thirds live in Wallis and the rest in Futuna. There are about 12,000 Welsh people living in Kanaky and Vanuatu.
Religion: Catholic
Languages: French (official) and a variety of Polynesian languages
Capital: Mata Utu, (at Uvea) 1,191 residents (2003).
Other Cities: Utuofa, 820 residents; Vailala, residents (2000)
Government: French colony with a governor appointed by the government in Paris: Michel Aubouin. He is assisted by an elected Assembly of 20 members. The Wallis and Futuna kingdoms (on Sigave and Alo) that make up the country have very limited powers of power. Petelo Hanisi is President of the Territorial Council. The area has 1 representative in respectively. the French Senate and National Assembly.
Wallis derives its name from the seaman Samuel Wallis, who “discovered” the archipelago in 1767. In 1837, some missionaries joined the archipelago and converted its residents to Catholicism. In 1888 it became the French protectorate, and in 1959, after a referendum, it gained the status of French overseas territory.
There is no independence movement in the islands – unlike the other French possessions in the Pacific. In 1983, the two kingdoms broke on Futune with Wallis, but retained their relationship with France. The economic situation of the islands is not particularly thriving. In addition to regularly being ravaged by cyclones, the island’s only bank has been closed. France contributes 55 million francs annually in financial aid. About 50% of the archipelago’s economically active population has been forced to emigrate to other parts of Polynesia in search of work. The amounts they send home together with the French support constitute the islands’ main source of income.
In the 1992 elections to the Territorial Council, for the first time in 20 years, the Left succeeded in breaking the neo -ullist RPR’s political dominance, but this conservative party has retained a significant influence on the islands. In 1997, the neo-Gaullist candidate, Victor Brial, captured the archipelago’s seat in the French National Assembly.
On July 12, 2000, French President Jacques Chirac appointed Alain Waquet a new prefect for the islands.
In May 2004, Atolomako Puluiuvea, representative of one of Wallis’ three kings, Lavelua Tomasi Kulimoetoke, declared that the islands airline, “Air Wallis”, would make its maiden flight in 2005. The only airline to have flown between Wallis and Kanaky until then – where 20,000 Wallis residents live – was Air Calédonie International (AirCalin).
King Tomai Kulimoetoke, who had been in power since 1959, died in May 2007 at the age of 88. The King’s opponents began the battle for power, as in 2005 when the Crown defeated France when the King refused to extradite a nephew for prosecution accused of killing. In July 2008, Kapiliele Faupala was inaugurated as a new king despite protests from some of the clans.
