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The National Flag of Tonga was officially adopted on November 4, 1875.

The National Flag of Tonga features a red background with a bold Greek red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner. The red color represents religion and the sacrifice of the Blood of Christ, which was shed during his Crucifixion. The white color symbolizes purity. The cross reflects Christianity - the predominant religion in Tonga that is practiced by nearly 97% of the Tongans. The flag has a width-to-length proportion ratio of 1:2.

History of the Flag of Tonga

British explorer Captain James Cook had thrice visited the islands between 1773 and 1777, and Tonga gradually becomes influenced by the British. About 50 years later, Christian missionaries began converting Tongans to Christianity. In 1831, the leader or paramount chief of the islands also became a Christian and was named King George Tupou I in 1845. The first national flag of Tonga was adopted sometime during this time under the reign of King George Tupou I. This flag featured a white field with a red or blue cross in each of the four corners. Additionally, the letters "A" and "M" in red and blue, respectively, were included in the center of the flag, which symbolized the king. However, this flag was only used briefly. The king soon sought the help of British missionary Shirley Waldemar Baker to help design a new national flag. The king wanted a flag that would represent Christianity, and the new flag was similar to the British Red Ensign. Three-quarters of the flag was red, while the upper corner of the hoist-side of the flag featured a distinctive canton. This flag was first used in 1866. Tonga's current flag was adopted on November 4, 1875, and according to Article 47 of the country鈥檚 Constitution, this flag can never be altered ever. The Flag of tonga is one of the oldest flags of the island countries in the South Pacific Ocean.

National Anthem

• Anthem Title: "Ko e fasi 驶o e tu驶i 驶o e 驶Otu Tonga" ("Song of the King of the Tongan Islands")
• Music Composer: Karl Gustavus Schmitt.聽
• Lyricist: Prince Uelingatoni Ngu Tupoumalohi
• Date of Adoption: 1874

"Ko e fasi 驶o e tu驶i 驶o e 驶Otu Tonga" ("Song of the King of the Tongan Islands") is the national anthem of Tonga. The music of the anthem have been composed by Karl Gustavus Schmitt. The lyrics of the anthem have been authored by Prince Uelingatoni Ngu Tupoumalohi. The anthem was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1874.

The current official currency of Tonga is Tongan pa鈥檃nga (TOP, T$). The pa'anga is subdivided into units called seniti. The National Reserve Bank of Tonga is responsible for promoting financial stability in the country, and mints and distributes the Tongan pa鈥檃nga. What is unique about the currency is that it is usually pegged to various 海角社区 currencies including the Australian, New Zealand, and US dollars, and the Japanese yen.

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Currently, coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 seniti and T$1 are in circulation, with the 1 and 2 senitis losing their value and are therefore no longer used.

The first coins were issued in 1967 in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 senitis, as well as 1 and 2 pa鈥檃nga, which were made of copper and cupro-nickel, respectively. The newest issue of the coins, done in 2015, now features the portrait of a king, replacing the previous theme revolving around food and agriculture production. The new coins issued during this time were minted by the Royal Australian Mint.

Banknotes

Currently, banknotes in denominations of T$1, T$2, T$5, T$10, T$20, T$50, T$100 are in circulation.

In 1967, Tongan banknotes were introduced in denominations 陆, 1, 2, 5, and 10 pa鈥檃nga, and included the portrait of Queen Salote Tupou III. In 1985, notes of 20 and 50 pa鈥檃nga were introduced. In 1992, the National Reserve Bank of Tonga was granted the mandate of issuing money introducing a new series of banknotes in 2008. The notes are printed in Tongan language and bear the portrait of the emperor on the obverse, while the reverse is printed in English, with distinctive landmarks of Tonga, including the Ha驶amonga驶a Maui Trilithon, burial mounds, and school going students, the royal palace, a humpback whale, the Tongan Development Bank, rugby players and the Port Vava驶u. The latest issue of the Tongan pa鈥檃nga was done in 2015 in denominations ranging from 2 to 100 pa鈥檃nga, and bears the portrait of Tupou VI, the current king of Tonga.

Historical currencies of Tonga

The word pa鈥檃nga is a native term that refers to a bean-like vine bearing large pods with reddish-brown seeds. The seeds were incorporated into dancing costumes for the kailao dance as well as acting as playing stones. In 1806, Tongans attacked a Port-au-Prince ship that was full of round pieces of metal, which were meant to act as money. However, the official introduction of the Tongan Pa鈥檃nga was on April 3, 1967, when they were introduced to replace the Tongan pound at the rate of 1 pound for 2 pa鈥檃nga.