Flag of PNG
The Flag combines two symbols - a Bird of Paradise and the group of stars called the Southern Cross. The bird is yellow, against a red background.
The design was created in 1971 by a 15-year old student Susan Karike from the Gulf Province.
This is how Susan described her choice of symbols and colours:
The Bird of Paradise represents feathers used as decorations for singsings. The stars represent a legend of five sisters who cried for yams when they were hungry. White is for the lime which is chewed with betelnut. Red and yellow are colours of many PNG flowers. Black is another popular colour.
The House of Assembly almost rejected Susan’s design. It was split 31-31. The Speaker then, Sir John Guise, cast the tiebreaking vote in her favour.
In 1986, Susan - now the wife of police sergeant Nanny Huhume and mother of three was presented an Independence Medal.
Parliament has written rules concerning the use of the National Flag. These are in Chapter 9 of the Revised Laws of PNG. The main thing is that the Flag should be displayed in a manner befitting a national symbol. It should not be subjected to indignity. It should not be used for advertising purposes.
