Diving into the Papua New Guinea flag on Independence Day

Red and black will be flying high on Monday as Papua New Guinea marks its 49^th Independence Day on Monday.  

The nation proudly flies a distinctive and easily recognizable flag, designed by Susan Karike, who at just 15 years old had her creation adopted as the official emblem. 

It is fitting that the flag’s symbols tell a wider story about Papua New Guinea’s heritage. 

Southern Cross and Australian partnership 

The bottom left corner of the flag depicts the Southern Cross, a recurring motif for nations in the Southern Hemisphere. It also appears on the flag of Papua New Guinea’s closest neighbor, Australia.  

Throughout its history, Papua New Guinea had a challenging relationship with colonial expansion. 

The land was first partitioned between the Germans in the north, who referred to the territory as New Guinea, and the British in the south, who called their territory Papua.  

During the Second World War, the New Guinea campaign saw devastation across the region as Japanese forces came into contact with Allied troops, many of whom were Australian men tasked to garrison the territory.  

After the war, Australia proceeded to govern Papua New Guinea until mounting pressure from the local independence movements culminated in the Papua New Guinea Independence Act 1975, setting September 16th as the date Australia handed sovereignty over to the nation. 

Since its independence, relations between Papua New Guinea and Australia have warmed overall despite periods of tension. The two nations signed a declaration of partnership in 1987, which was updated in 2013.  

Nearly 30,000 Australian residents today were born in Papua New Guinea. In the words of Papuan Prime Minister James Marape, the nation seeks a policy of being “friends to all”.   

Bird-of-paradise and megadiversity 

The top right corner of the Papuan flag is the yellow silhouette of the Raggiana bird-of-paradise. The distinctive bird is only one of many unique species of fauna that call the nation their home. 

Papua New Guinea sits between the Australian and Asian landmasses. As such, the mixing of two distinct genetic groups has led to many unique species that could only be found within specific areas of the country. 

Marsupial mammals like tree kangaroos and echidnas are among the more recognizable and popular endemic species. 

However, the most endearing fauna are the birds of paradise. This family, numbering above 40 unique species, is physically characterized by their colorful and long appendages, often used for unique mating rituals. 

Birds-of-paradise have long played a role in traditional Papuan societies, often used for ceremonial rituals and dress.  

In more recent times, the Raggiana bird-of-paradise, or Kumul as it is known in the local pidgin of Tok Pisin, has made it onto the national flag, etching itself as an inseparable part of the Papuan identity. 

Papua New Guinea is a nation full of surprises and deserves to stand proudly amongst the international community. 

*Diplomatic Network Asia wishes Papua New Guinea a Happy Independence Day.