The 24 green equilateral triangles within the kapkap symbolise "the importance of land to the Bougainvillean people", the blue field represents the ocean.

[2][3] It was first raised at Arawa on 1 September 1975, during the independence celebrations for the unrecognised Republic of North Solomons.

[4] It was chosen in a nationwide competition, with the selection panel appointed by the Bougainville Provincial Assembly including John Momis, Peter Sissiou and Leo Hannett.

[6] The Provincial Symbols Act 1978 gave official status to the flag and made it an offence to use it commercially without the consent of the responsible minister.

It also created a new offense of using, displaying, destroying or damaging the flag with the intention to dishonor it, with a maximum fine of 10,000 kina or around $2,900 as of December 2020, and extended the fine for unauthorized commercial use to a maximum of 100,000 kina for corporations.