Ponape (Pohnpei) (Micronesia)

Last modified: 2003-01-18 by sam lockton
Keywords: micronesia | pohnpei | ponape cup | stars: white | coconut shell |
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contributed by Jarig Bakker

1977-1992 flag

by Jaume Ollé

• Federated States of Micronesia

Pohnpei (Ponape) flies a blue flag (blue like the UNO flag) with six stars (one for each island: Pingelap, Mokil, Ponape, Ngatik, Nukuoro and Kapingamarangi), a wreath of coconut leaves, and a ceremonial cup called a "sakau" cup made from half a coconut shell. The law allowing a flag was passed in 1976 and a competition was held. The flag was created by a student, Rosendo Alex (his was one of 60 designs submitted in the competition), and it was adopted in December 1977.
Jaume Ollé, 12 September 1996

I saw two variations of this Micronesian island flag. one version with 11 stars and the other with 6 stars.Which one is the right one?
Dov Gutterman, 08 December 1998

I believe that the design with six stars was the first one. Adopted in December 1977 the six stars were for the six atolls: Pingelap, Mokil, Ponape, Ngatik, Nukuoro y Kapingaramangi. The wreath was different from the current one, and also the shade of blue later changed to the current design (1993) with 11 stars.
Jaume Ollé, 10 December 1998

Ponape used the flag bearing six stars during 1977-1992 and then Pohnpei(new name) changed number of star from six to eleven in the flag in 1992 to present.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 9 September 2000