As is well known, the national flag, as a country's symbolic banner, represents the nation, especially in international events where it is commonly used to symbolize the country.
Therefore, the national flag holds significant importance in every country.
Due to this importance, countries meticulously design their national flags, using specific patterns, colors, and motifs to reflect their political characteristics or historical and cultural traditions.
For example, the United States' "Stars and Stripes" reflects the nation's founding history and administrative divisions.
The 13 red and white stripes symbolize the original 13 colonies of the United States, while the 50 white stars represent the 50 states of the Union.
Before 1959, the U.S. flag had only 48 stars; after Hawaii and Alaska became states, the number of stars increased to 50, reflecting the principle that the number of stars on the flag matches the number of states.
Similarly, Liberia's "Lone Star" flag reflects its history of independence.
The single large white star in the upper left corner represents Liberia's independence on July 26, 1847, establishing the first and then-only Black republic in Africa.
The 11 red and white stripes commemorate the 11 signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence.
Thus, most countries design their national flags uniquely, incorporating their own historical and cultural elements.
However, a few countries in the world have chosen to incorporate elements of another nation's flag into their own. These countries include Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, and Niue.
These countries' flags all borrow the British "Union Jack" and incorporate it into their national flags.
The reason why these six countries chose the British flag design instead of those of the United States, France, Germany, or other countries lies in their special relationship with the United Kingdom.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the British Empire, known as the "Empire on which the sun never sets," expanded its territories globally, especially after World War I.
The British territories spanned all continents and oceans except Antarctica, with a total area of 34 million square kilometers, comprising a quarter of the world's land area, making it the largest country in the world at the time.
Oceania was a focal point of British colonization. Among the 16 sovereign countries in Oceania today, apart from the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau (which were German territories), the remaining 13 were either controlled by Britain, became British colonies, or became British dominions.
For example, Australia and New Zealand were British dominions;
Fiji was a British colony;
The Cook Islands, Tuvalu, and Niue were British protectorates.
Although these countries gained independence after World War II, becoming sovereign states and joining the United Nations or other international organizations, they still share a common link with the United Kingdom—the Commonwealth, which the UK established to maintain its influence in former colonies and dominions.
After World War I, while Britain retained its status as the world's leading power, its strength was weakened by the war. The rise of global nationalist movements exacerbated tensions with colonies, leading to a crisis in the colonial system.
In this context, Britain used its remaining influence to negotiate with its overseas territories, allowing them independence but forming a Commonwealth loyal to the British Crown.
In 1931, the British Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster, allowing British dominions to move towards independence, marking the de facto end of the British Empire and the formal formation of the Commonwealth.
Today, the Commonwealth includes more than 50 former British territories, such as India, Pakistan, Singapore, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
These countries form the Commonwealth organization with the UK, becoming the world's only international organization led by a single former colonial power.
Within the Commonwealth, a significant portion of member states maintain close ties with the UK, with incomplete independence, forming the Commonwealth realms, where the British monarch is the head of state, implementing a British-style parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
In Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, and Niue are Commonwealth realms.
Therefore, the head of state for Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, and Niue is King Charles III. These countries' parliaments recommend a respected individual from their country to serve as governor-general, representing the king in exercising head-of-state powers.
Given their shared head of state and similar historical origins with the UK, it is understandable that these countries incorporate the British flag into their own to demonstrate their special relationship with the UK after gaining independence.
The only exception is Fiji, which is a member of the Commonwealth but not a Commonwealth realm.
The Republic of Fiji has its own president, does not recognize the British monarch as head of state, nor does it implement a British-style parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Fiji's relationship with the UK is relatively distant, but its flag still retains the British "Union Jack." This is because Fiji's flag was established by the British colonial authorities before Fiji gained independence.
On October 10, 1970, Queen Elizabeth II signed documents confirming Fiji's independence, and the new Fijian government continued to use the "Union Jack" flag to signify its historical relationship with the UK.
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