Palau’s national flag has an aspect ratio of 5:8.
That ratio means the flag is five units high for every eight units of width, or equivalently its width is 1.6 times its height. The design uses a light-blue field and a large golden-yellow disk positioned slightly toward the hoist. The blue represents the Pacific Ocean and Palau’s place within it.
The disk represents the full moon rather than the sun. In Palauan tradition, the full moon is associated with peace, love and tranquillity, and it is considered a favorable time for activities such as fishing, planting, harvesting and carving canoes. The flag was adopted in 1981, when Palau became a republic after its period as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Its moon can be confused with Japan’s sun or Bangladesh’s offset sun, but the symbolism and proportions are distinct.