Flag of American Samoa

The flag of American Samoa was adopted on April 17, 1960 and consists of two triangles emanating from the opposite side of the flagpole and pointing in its direction. The white triangle is inscribed in a red triangle, which in turn is placed on a blue background, and the white triangle depicts a bald eagle holding a mace and a fly swatter made of goatskin and horsehair.

Meaning of the flag of American Samoa

• Bald eagle: The bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, represents American sovereignty and reflects the territory's status as a U.S. protectorate, emphasizing their role in governing and protecting the islands. The eagle holds two traditional Samoan symbols;
• The War Club (“fa'alaufa'i”): A war club is a traditional Samoan weapon used during ceremonies. This mace represents the strength of Samoa and the power of the chiefs (matai), who continue to play a central role in Samoan society and government;
• Fly Whisk (“fue”): The fly whisk, traditionally used by Samoan chiefs, is a symbol of wisdom, peace and power. Chiefs in Samoan culture use fue as part of their role as peacemakers and leaders in village life. Together, the two symbols emphasize the balance between strength (fa'alaufa'i) and wisdom (fue), demonstrating the importance of diplomacy and wisdom in leadership;
• Colors (red, white and blue): The color scheme of red, white, and blue reflects the colors of the U.S. flag, signifying the strong ties between American Samoa and the United States. Red represents the bravery and strength of the Samoan people, white represents purity and peace, and blue symbolizes freedom, loyalty and vigilance.

History of the flag of American Samoa

Before Europeans arrived on the Samoan islands, local tribes did not use flags in the modern sense of the term, and their identity was expressed through cultural and spiritual symbols, including tribal totems and rituals. The first European discovery of the Samoan islands took place in 1722, when Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen first explored the region. Since then, the region has been gradually drawn into the sphere of European influence. During the 19th century, flags of European colonial powers could be raised in different parts of the archipelago. American Samoa, as a territory, officially came under US control on April 17, 1900. Since its accession to the United States, American Samoa has become more closely integrated into the political and economic system of this country, while retaining much of its cultural identity. For sixty years, only the American flag was used in the territory, until a decision was made to create its own flag for local identity.

The current flag of American Samoa was officially adopted on April 27, 1960. It was designed with the cooperation of local leaders and the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. This ensured a balance between local traditions and US symbols. The flag of American Samoa was ranked 17th in the ranking of the best flags by the North American Vexillological Association, out of 51 flags. This indicates its uniqueness and high appreciation from an aesthetic point of view. The eagle on the flag symbolizes the protection of the United States, while traditional Samoan objects symbolize the power and wisdom of local leaders. However, officially, Flag Day is celebrated every year on April 17, in honor of the first raising of the US flag on the island. Thus, in 2024, American Samoa celebrated the 124th anniversary of the flag.