The design was selected from ideas gathered from the public in 1979, before the autonomous government inaugurated. The bright blue is the color of the Pacific Ocean while at the same time, expresses the escape from the dark days of being controlled. The yellow circle represents the golden moon and expresses how Palau has become independent and joined the brighter world. The yellow circle is slightly to the left from the central, and it is said that this was done out of politeness for Japan.