The flag design was publicly sought for, and the design based on that of the artist Malon Kalontas was instituted in 1980, before independence. The letter Y on its side is colored yellow, and the black, red, and green portions are divided by the Y. Y is from the shape of the New Hebrides islands. Black represents the Melanesian lands and people, red, the unity through blood, and green, agriculture and the economical foundation.