Flag and emblem of Mava

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Flag of Mava
Flag of Mava
UseNational flag and ensign
Proportion2:3
Adopted10 April 1978
DesignA horizontal bicolour of white and blue with a countercharged wave mirrored horizontally.
Coat of arms of Mava
Coat of Arms of Mava.png
Adopted10 April 1978
BlazonPer 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
MottoMaava 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.

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 as the logo of the Mava Council, with the addition of "Maava Taapiit", "Consejo Mava", and "Mava Council" below. The emblem and its derivations is protected by copyright, which is in the possession of Mava Council. Use of the emblem without permission is illegal.

See also

External links