Flag of American Samoa

Flag of American Samoa

Flag of American Samoa

The Flag of American Samoa was adopted in April 1960, replacing the United States of America, as the official flag of the territory. The Flag of American Samoa consists of a red-edged white triangle pointing towards the hoist charged with a bald eagle clutching a war club and fly-whisk, and dark blue upper and lower triangles. 

The eagle holding a fly-whisk and a war club are the traditional symbols of the Samoan chiefs. The Bald Eagle and Blue, White and Red Colours symbolise the countries ties to the United Sates of America. 

American Samoa holds a Flag Day celebration on April 17 each year.

Flag of American Samoa
Flag of American Samoa

 

Flag of American Samoa Design and Colour Scheme

The flag consists of a large white triangle, pointed towards the hoist, bordered in red and charged with an eagle, all on a blue field. The U.S. national bird holds a yellow uatogi, a war club, in its claws.

  • The symbols are a uatog: a war club, epitomizing the government’s power, and a fue, a fly-whisk, representing the wisdom of traditional Samoan leaders.
  • The red, white and blue represent the colours traditionally utilized by both the United States and Samoa.

Brief History about the Flag of American Samoa

Before the first Europeans set foot on the islands in the 18th century, Samoa did not use any flags. They first utilized flags during the 1800s, although it is unclear which ones were flown due to partial documentation.

The islands were contested by Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States at the turn of the century; the three countries resolved the dispute by dividing Samoa amongst themselves during the Tripartite Convention in 1899.

As a result of an agreement with the high chiefs of the island of Tutuila, the United States took control over easternmost Samoa on April 17, 1900, and raised their flag that same day.

The flag was officially adopted April 17, 1960, sixty years to the day the U.S. first raised the American flag over Samoa.

Flag of American Samoa
Flag of American Samoa