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In 1996, following seven years of work, a New Zealand linguist, Dr Steven Fischer, deciphered a script discovered on the island. This script showed the inhabitants were the first in Oceania to write. According to Dr Fischer, the script, known as rongorongo, was made up of chants in Rapanui, the island's Polynesian tongue, and told the story of creation.
The carved statues are believed to have been religious icons. However, archaeological evidence suggests that, prior to European contact, the island suffered an environmental or cultural crisis resulting in the inhabitants renouncing their earlier religious values, which caused them to damage or overturn many of the statues.
The cross represents the Greek Orthodox faith. Blue stands for the sea and sky. The shade has varied over the years. White symbolizes purity. Effective date: 22 December 1978.
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