Flag of the Faroe Islands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Image:First flag of the faroe islands.jpg
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 |
[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 authorities approved the flag as the ensign of the Faroes. 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.
[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
[edit] References
Albania • Andorra • Armenia • Austria • Azerbaijan • Belarus • Belgium • Bosnia and Herzegovina • Bulgaria • Croatia • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Georgia • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Kazakhstan • Latvia • Liechtenstein • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Republic of Macedonia • Malta • Moldova • Monaco • Montenegro • Netherlands • Norway • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • San Marino • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • Vatican City
Dependencies and autonomous entities
Abkhazia •
Adjara •
Åland •
Akrotiri and Dhekelia •
Crimea •
Faroe Islands •
Gibraltar •
Guernsey •
Isle of Man •
Jersey •
Nagorno-Karabakh •
Nakhichevan
de:Flagge der Färöer et:Fääri saarte lipp es:Bandera de las Islas Feroe fo:Merkið fr:Drapeau des îles Féroé he:דגל איי פארו hu:Feröer zászlaja lt:Farerų salų vėliava nl:Vlag van de Faeröer no:Færøyenes flagg pl:Flaga Wysp Owczych fi:Färsaarten lippu sv:Färöarnas flagga
