The design was publicly sought for and was made official in 1971, during the Austrialian colonial days. The yellow bird represents the bird of paradise. The bird of paradise is the symbol of wealth, happiness, and friendship. It has golden wings, and legend goes that it eats the wind to live. The five white stars on the left express the Southern Cross, which symbolizes the southern hemisphere. Also, the red color represents the sun and the citizens' power, while black expresses the black skin of the Melanesian people.