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Northern Mariana Islands
Flags, Symbols & Currency of Northern Mariana Islands

Flags, Symbols & Currency of Northern Mariana Islands

The Flag of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands features a blue background with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone in the center.

The Flag of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands was officially adopted in July, 1985.

The National Flag of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands features a blue background with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone in the center. It is surrounded by a decorative floral head wreath. The blue color of the flag symbolizes the Pacific Ocean and the Mariana Trench. The gray latte stone represents the traditional foundation stone used in building by the indigenous Chamorro people. The decorative floral head wreath (mwáár) display elements of the native Carolinian culture. The star symbolizes the protection from United States. The flag has a height-to-width proportion ratio of 1:2.

History of the Flag of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

After the WWII, the Islands came under the jurisdiction of the United Nations and hence the UN Flag was flown in the Islands from 1947 onwards. The Islands became a part of the Pacific Islands Trust Territory in 1965. The Flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands were flown in the Islands until 1970. A flag design contest for Mariana schools was held in 1972 by the Third Marianas Legislature. The winning flag design by Vito Calvo consisted of a latte stone and a star on a blue background. However, this flag was not officially adopted till July 4, 1976. The flag was modified and a traditional decorative floral head wreath (mwáár) was added in 1981. This modern flag design was officially adopted in July 1985, as the flag of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

Historical Flags of Northern Mariana Islands

Former Flag of NMI

Blue field with six white 5-pointed stars

Former Flag of NMI

Blue filed with the white star on a latte stone

Symbols of Northern Mariana Islands

Seal of Northern Mariana Islands

The Seal of the Northern Mariana Islands features a blue background with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone in the center. It is surrounded by a decorative floral head wreath. The gray latte stone represents the traditional foundation stone used in building by the indigenous Chamorro people. The decorative floral head wreath (mwáár) display elements of the native Carolinian culture. The star symbolizes the United States. Above the decorative floral wreath is a scroll displaying in bold letters: Commonwealth of The Northern Mariana Islands. A scroll below displays: Official Seal.

National Anthem

Being an Overseas US dependency, the official national anthem of Northern Mariana Islands is “The Star-Spangled Banner” – which is also the national anthem of the United States of America.

However, a regional anthem of Northern Mariana Islands is “Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi” ("In the Middle of the Sea"). The music has been composed by Wilhelm Ganzhorn and the lyrics have been written by David Kapileo Taulamwaar Peter and Jose and Joaqin Pangelinan. The regional anthem was adopted in 1996.