Flag of the Cook Islands
The flag of the Cook Islands consists of 15 stars arranged in a circle on a Blue Ensign. The stars represent the 15 islands of the country, the circle, the unit of the islands. The Union Jack points to the historical ties with New Zealand and to membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. The blue stands for the vast Pacific Ocean surrounding the islands, and points to the peaceful nature of its inhabitants. The flag was officially adopted on 4 August 1979.
History
The independent kingdom until 1888 from Rarotonga led a red-white- red flag with three blue stars. 1888, the Kingdom became a British protectorate. The Union Jack was inserted as a naval jack in the flag. 1893, the three stars were removed. 1895 was introduced by the British inhabitants of a Blue Ensign with a crown on a white disk. 1900 Britain annexed the islands, the administration took over New Zealand. Accordingly, we led until 1902 the Union Jack and until 1973 the current flag of New Zealand. On August 4, 1965, the Cook Islands were given internal autonomy in 1973 and its own flag: 15 gold stars in a circle on green background. Yellow and green symbolized the people 's life and eternal growth. In 1979 they switched back to a Blue Ensign with the 15, now white stars.
1:2? Flag of Rarotonga, 1888-1893
1:2? Cook Islands, 1893-1901
1:2? Flag of New Zealand, the Cook Islands 1902-1973
1:2? Cook Islands, 1973-1979