Flag of Orkney

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The unofficial flag of Orkney is that of St Magnus^{[citation needed]}, a yellow field with a red Nordic cross. St Magnus (Magnus Erlendsson) was Earl of Orkney from 1108 to 1117.

The colours are from the Scottish and Norwegian coats of arms, which both use yellow and red, with a lion rampant, although the Scottish Arms use the yellow as the field, which is reflected in the flag of Orkney. The flag symbolises the islands' Scottish and Norwegian heritage.

[edit] Similarity to other heraldry

Unlike the flag of Shetland, the Orcadian flag has no official status, having been declined recognition by the Lord Lyon, the heraldic authority of Scotland, due to similarity with the Arms of Ulster (themselves adopted from the Arms of John de Courcy). A similar flag is also sometimes flown by Finland-Swedes; and it is likely that the flag of the Kalmar Union (a Medieval Scandinavian state) had the same design. The latter flag has been used by Nordic unity activists to symbolize the Nordic countries as a whole.

However, it is used by locals, and can often be seen while travelling round the islands.

[edit] See also

• Royal Standard of Scotland
• Royal Standard of Norway
• List of Scottish flags
• List of British flags