Flag and emblem of Mava

Flag of Mava

Use	National flag and ensign
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	10 April 1978
Design	A horizontal bicolour of white and blue with a countercharged wave mirrored horizontally.

Coat of arms of Mava
Adopted	10 April 1978
Blazon	Per fess Azure a representation of a mountain range with moon and stars; and argent a ship Or atop barry wavy of three pieces Azure and Argent; over-all in the dexter chief point Gules charged with the Emblem of Atitlan
Motto	Maava alikki

The flag and the coat of arms of Mava are the state symbols of Mava, an unincorporated territorial area of Atitlan. The symbols were adopted by Mava Council in 1978 on 10 April 1978 and were formally proclaimed by Chairman of Mava Council Nakulaq Inamuyak on 4 September 1978.

The flag is a public symbol and there are few restrictions on its use. The coat of arms is used to represent the government and may not be used in a private or commercial capacity.

Flag

Until 1978, Mava had no distinctive flag or coat of arms of its own. From its annexation in 1836 the Atitlanese flag and emblem had been used to signify its sovereignty over the islands. Although a number of private, unofficial flags had been used, none were recognised and none enjoyed continued use. In 1972 plans for a new flag were announced by Mava Council, with a competition held to design it. In April 1978 the Council approved the adoption of the Kaamatuulikalat ("Our Blue Flag"), designed by college student Aalanaq Kukiatok.

The colours and symbols of the flag carry cultural and geographical meanings. The general design, featuring a mirrored wave, symbolises the landscape as seen arriving from the ocean, symbolising the "return home" as well as being a visible reference to the flag's intention to represent the island. The colour scheme also has geographical significance, representing the sea and snow which predominate life in Mava. The design was first described in the Flag Ordinance 1978, with more detailed specifications laid out in the National Symbols (Specifications) Ordinance 1992.

The aspect ratio of its length to breadth is 3:2, the same as the Atitlanese flag.

Flags of Mava

• 

  Unofficial flag used until 1978

• 

  Alternative unofficial flag used until 1978

Emblem

The emblem of Mava consists of a three loops, the central loop being higher, each charged with one of the celestial bodies (a sun, a moon, and a star), all of which sits upon five waves. The emblem, designed by Kuulak Muulukit, was adopted in 1981 and draws inspiration from indigenous Mavean artwork. The design is a stylised representation of the Mavean islands (the three loops) and their location in the Sarosan Ocean. The celestial bodies represent the individual Gods who supposedly reigned in each of the islands: the God of Day (representing hope, work, and life), the God of Night (representing war, danger, and death), and the God of the Stars (representing love).

The design is used to represent the nation and, unlike most national emblems, is not confined to government use. It may be used for private purposes, but cannot be used in any way that suggests state endorsement where it is not present.

See also

• Politics of Mava
• Culture of Mava

External links

• Flag of Mava. International Flag Database