There are three white wavy stripes on the flag of Kiribati.
The stripes occupy the blue lower half of the flag and represent the Pacific Ocean surrounding Kiribati. They also symbolize the country’s three island groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands. Their wave-like form distinguishes them from ordinary straight bands.
Kiribati’s upper half is red and features a golden frigatebird flying over a rising sun. The frigatebird represents power, freedom, and cultural dance patterns, while the sun reflects Kiribati’s position astride the Equator. The sun’s 17 rays represent the 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba.
The design developed from a badge created by Sir Arthur Grimble in 1931 for the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony. Kiribati raised its current flag at independence celebrations in Tarawa on 12 July 1979. A frequent mistake is counting the sun’s rays or confusing the three stripes with the three island groups themselves.