Flag of the Faroe Islands

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The flag of the Faroe Islands is an offset cross, following as with other Nordic flags the tradition set by the Dannebrog. The flag is called Merkið which means "the banner" or "the mark".

Contents 1 History 2 Symbolism 3 See also 4 References

[edit] History

Merkið was first made by Faroese students in Copenhagen and later brought to the Faroes where it was first hoisted 22 June 1919. About a decade later, in 1931, it came into common but unofficial use. When Denmark was occupied by German forces in April 1940, British troops took the islands and a need to distinguish the ships of the Faroes from those of occupied Denmark occurred. On 25 April 1940 British naval authorities approved the flag as the ensign of the Faroes, so that Faroe shipping could be distinguished from Danish, following the occupation of Denmark by the Germans. With the Home Rule Act of 23 March 1948 the flag was finally recognized as the national flag of the Faroes. 25 April has been made Flag Day, and a half-holiday.

[edit] Symbolism

The dominant white colour is said to represent the pure sky as well as the foam of the waves breaking against the coasts of the islands, red and blue are both colours found in traditional Faroese headdress. At the same time the colours are those of the flags of Norway and Iceland. The proportions are 6-1-2-1-6 (hoist), 6-1-2-1-12 (fly).

It is interesting to note that the flag design is contrary to the heraldry and vexillology rule that red colour cannot be placed on blue colour.

[edit] See also

• Nordic Cross Flag

[edit] References

• Faroe Islands at Flags of the World

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