Flag of Guam

The flag of Guam was adopted on February 9, 1948, and consists of a blue field with a red border and the Guam coat of arms in the center, which is shaped like a vertical ellipse. The coat of arms depicts a proa boat in Hagatna Bay, a coconut palm tree, a river, and the Punta Dos Amantis rock.

Meaning of the symbolism of the flag of Guam

• The blue color symbolizes the ocean surrounding the island, emphasizing its location in the Pacific Ocean and the blue, cloudless sky;
• The red border around the flag recalls the blood shed during the occupations of Guam, including the Japanese occupation during World War II and Spanish colonial rule;
• The proa boat is a traditional seagoing vessel of the Chamorro indigenous people who live in the Mariana Islands, including Guam. The proa is a symbol of the Chamorro's bravery and seamanship, which provided them with communication between the islands, trade, and fishing.

The proa is an innovative canoe with an outrigger, whose main task is to stabilize the vessel while traveling on the open sea. The outrigger allowed the vessel not to roll over even at high speed, and this design ensured the boat's lightness and maneuverability, making it ideal for long journeys and maritime navigation. The indigenous Chamorro people have used the proa for centuries for sea travel, trade, and warfare. Their navigation skills were known far beyond the Mariana Islands. Proa, like fishing, had a deep meaning for their culture, symbolizing their ability to live in harmony with the sea;

• The coconut palm symbolizes the strength, endurance and resilience of the Chamorro people, and its bent trunk indicates the trials they have gone through. The coconut palm is an important element of the coat of arms because it is not only a source of food, but also a material for construction and other household needs;
• The river that flows through the capital of Guam and into the ocean personifies the nature of the island, is a symbol of its fertility and connection with the sea. The capital of Guam, Hagatna (formerly known as Agaña), is a small city, but of great historical importance to Guam, as it has been the political and cultural center of the island since the colonial period;
• "Puntan Dos Amåntes" rock. In the background of the coat of arms, you can see the relief of the rock, which is called “Puntan Dos Amåntes” in Chamorro, which means “Point of Two Lovers”. 

The rock “Two Lovers Point” got its name because of the tragic story associated with it. The legend dates back to the Spanish colonial era and tells of a young couple in love who were to be separated because the girl's father wanted to marry her off to a wealthy Spanish captain. When the father and the Spanish soldiers drove the young couple into a desperate situation on the edge of a cliff, they decided to jump into the sea together to unite their love forever. Since then, this place has become a symbol of eternal love, and therefore is in demand among tourists who want to see the legendary cliff and the panoramic view of Tumon Bay that opens from it.

History of the Guam flag

Until 1898, Guam was under the control of Spain, so the official flag of the island was Spanish. Spain visited Guam in 1565 during the expeditions of General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, but officially took control of the island in 1668. After the Spanish-American War, when the United States gained control of the island, the American flag flew over Guam. It is known that in the period from 1896 to 1908, the US flag consisted of 45 states, i.e. 45 stars were placed on the flag, so this version of the flag was used in Guam at that time.

In 1917, the idea to create its own flag for the island came up, and there are several versions of how this happened. According to one of them, the author was a local artist Francisco Feja, who in the 1910s created a series of drawings that reflected the life and nature of Guam. Among them was an image of a boat (proa) on a beach with a palm tree, which became the basis for the coat of arms and flag of Guam. According to another version, the flag was designed by Helen Paul, the wife of Commodore Carrol E. Paul, who made several sketches of Guam landscapes, including a palm tree and a boat on the sea. Regardless of its exact origins, the flag design was approved by Military Governor Roy Smith in 1917, and it was first raised on July 4, 1918, during a ceremony in Hagåtña. In the 1930s, the flag was officially adopted by the administration of Guam.

During World War II, Guam was occupied by Japanese troops from 1941 to 1944. During this period, American symbols, including the flag, were banned, and the flag of Japan was used instead. However, in 1944, the island was liberated by American troops and the Guam flag was restored. In 1948, important changes were made to the flag design: a red border was added around the perimeter. This change symbolized the blood shed during the war and emphasized the island's struggle for freedom. The details of the colors of the coat of arms and the proportions of the flag were also clarified. Since then, the flag has remained unchanged and continues to be used as one of the main symbols of Guam.