Flags, Symbols & Currency of Samoa
The flag of Samoa is rectangular in shape and red in color. The upper quadrant of the flag towards the hoist-side features a blue rectangle or canton. This canton bears the Southern Cross which consists of four five-pointed stars and a smaller one. The stars are all white in color.
The colors used in Samoa’s flag have their own symbolic meanings. The white color of the stars represents purity. The red and the blue colors of the flag denote loyalty and patriotism, respectively. The pattern of the stars on the blue canton represent the Southern Cross constellation.
History Of The Flag Of Samoa
For a while in history, the flags of the various colonial powers were in use in Samoa. During the rule of the German Empire, a tricolor flag of black-white-red featuring the Imperial Eagle was in use in Samoa. A different flag was used during the colonial rule by New Zealand. It was a defaced Blue Ensign with the image of three palm trees on the fly side. The flag that is used today in Samoa was first adopted on February 24, 1949. It was formally accepted as the national flag of Samoa on January 1, 1962.
Historical Flags of Samoa
Official Blue Ensign of Western Samoa
Symbols of Samoa
The Coat of Arms of Samoa
The design of Samoa's Coat of Arms takes inspiration from the United Nations. It features a red grid in the background with olive wreathe on two sides. In the center of the grid is a silver shield whose lower two-third part is blue with 5 silver stars. These stars represent the Southern Cross. Above the blue region is the green sea with green coconut palm issuing from it. At the top of the shield is the Christian cross and below lies a banner with the motto "Faavae i Le Atua Samoa", meaning in the English language "God be the Foundation of Samoa."
National Anthem
- Anthem Title: O Le Fu'a o Le Sa'olotoga o Samoa (The Banner of Freedom)
- Composer: Sauni Iiga Kuresa
- Lyricist: Sauni Iiga Kuresa
- Date of Adoption: 1962
The national anthem of Samoa was adopted in 1962 when Samoa gained independence from the rule of New Zealand. It is called O Le Fu'a o Le Sa'olotoga o Samoa or The Banner of Freedom." Sauni Iiga Kuresa composed the music and also wrote the lyrics of the song.
O Le Fu'a o Le Sa'olotoga o Samoa
Samoa, tula'i ma sisi ia lau fu'a, lou pale lea!
Samoa, tula'i ma sisi ia lau fu'a, lou pale lea!
Vaai 'i na fetu o lo'u a agiagia ai:
Le faailoga lea o Iesu, na maliu ai mo Samoa.
Oi, Samoa e, u'u mau lau pule ia faavavau.
'Aua e te fefe; o le Atua lo ta fa'avae, o lota sa'olotoga.
Samoa, tula'i: 'ua agiagia lau fu'a, lou pale lea!
The Banner of Freedom
Samoa, arise and raise your flag, your crown!
Samoa, arise and raise your flag, your crown!
Look at those stars that are waving on it:
This is the symbol of Jesus, who died on it for Samoa.
Oh, Samoa, hold fast your power forever.
Do not be afraid; God is our foundation, our freedom.
Samoa, arise: your flag is waving, your crown!
The Currency of Samoa is the Samoan tālā
The currency of Samoa is the Samoan tālā. It is written as WST and its currency symbol is $. In addition to WST, other codes used to signify the tālā are SAT, ST, and T. The Samoan tālā is most commonly exchanged with the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). The Samoan tālā is minted and circulated by the Central Bank of Samoa.
Coins
In 1967, new coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 sene and $1 tālā coins were introduced. They replaced the New Zealand coins which were previously used. The coins were struck in bronze and cupro-nickel metals. Additionally, they had the national emblem on the reverse side and the portrait of Malietoa Tanumafili on the obverse of the coins. James Bass designed a new series of coins in 1974. The coins had an agricultural theme which featured locally grown produce such as pineapples, banana trees, palm trees, and cocoa pods. 1 Samoan tālā is subdivided into 100 sene. The coins currently in use in Samoa are 10, 20, and 50 sene, and 1 and 2 tālā.
Banknotes
The first tālā banknotes were issued in 1967 in denominations of 1, 5, and 10 tālā. Shortly afterwards, the 5 tālā was introduced. In subsequent years, the 50 and 100 tālā notes were issued and the 1 tālā was abolished. In 2008, De La Rue began printing a new series of Samoan banknotes which had a security thread, modern designs, and brighter colors. Presently, the banknotes in circulation are 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 tālā.
The first banknote is the $2 tālā, which is blue-yellow in appearance. The Samoan $5 tālā is a red-pink banknote which is made of polymer plastic. The front side features the nation’s sandy beaches which points to the significance the tourism industry has on the economic growth of the country. On the other hand, the Samoan $10 tālā is a blue-green banknote whose front side features the victory of the Samoa’s rugby sevens team in the year 2007, whereas the reverse side features the children of Samoa. The third banknote, the Samoan $20 tālā, is a yellow-orange banknote. On its front side is a magnificent waterfall, while the reverse side portrays the nation’s national bird called “Manumea” and the national flower called “Teuila.” The Samoan $50 tālā is a purple-blue banknote and the Samoan $100 tālā is an emerald green banknote made of polymer plastic. The reverse side of the note has a photo of Samoa’s Cathedral of Apia. On the other hand, the obverse side has a portrait of the Late Malietoa Tanumafili II, who was the nation’s leader.
Samoan tālā Banknote
Samoan tālā Coin
Historical Currencies of Samoa
Prior to Samoa's independence from New Zealand in 1962, Samoa's currency was the Western Samoan pound, as well as the New Zealand dollar.
Western Samoan pound
