The Polynesian inhabitants call their island Te Pito o Te Henua, "the navel of the world," based on local pre-historic tales. In 1722, a Dutch explorer, Jacob Roggeveen, sighted and visited the island on an Easter Sunday, and the name stuck: Easter Island (Isla de Pascua in Spanish). The Polynesian name of the island is Rapa Nui, which is a name given by a Tahitian visitor in the 19th Century who says that the island looked like the Tahitian island Rapa, but bigger, nui. Gustav Tracchia, 20 August 2003; edited by AMA and AxG
Ratio uncertain, but probably 2:3, according to photos. Pascal Gross, 27 January 2001
Symbolism
"The rei miro was worn by both men and women. It served as an insignia of high rank, and the paramount chief of the island was said to have worn two of them as pectorals and two others on his shoulders on special occasions. The crescent shape may refer to the moon, an association found throughout Polynesia. The significance of the heads is unknown, though they may relate to ancestors." Indiana University Art Museum. Posted by Alex Garofolo, 13 January 2015.
On 8 May 2006, the website of the Chilean TV channel "Canal 13" reported a possible evolution of the status of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), provided the part of the Constitutional Reform prescribing "special territories" (territorios especiales) is adopted.
King of Rapa Nui Agterama Puhi U’ira To Huki A made a controversial declaration, saying that Chile had no right on the island since there was no document backing such a right. The next day, however, he sang the Chilean national anthem in front of the Chilean authorities, including President of the Republic Michelle Bachelet. During the ceremony and for the first time in history, the Rapa Nui anthem was sung and the Rapa Nui flag was raised along with the Chilean national symbols. The Intendant of the Region of Valparaíso, Ivan de la Maza, said that this act will become a tradition so that in every official instance the flags of Chile and Rapa Nui will fly together.
![[Flag of Rapa Nui]](../images/c/cl_rapa.gif)
