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Faroe Islands

Føroyar, Færøerne

, by Mark Sensen, 1995-NOV-27

Description of the flag
History of the flag

Description of the flag

The flag of the Faroe Islands is a red Scandinavian cross, fimbriated blue. Mark Sensen, 1995-NOV-27

The horizontal dimensions of the flag are 6:1:2:1:12, the vertical ones 6:1:2:1:6.Mark Sensen, 1995-SEP-26

History of the flag

The flag of the Faroes 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, in 1931, later 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. The flag carries the name Merkid, meaning the sign or banner. 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).

Sources:
Sven Tito Achen: "The Flag of the Faroes", The Flag Bulletin, Vol XVII, No 5, 1978, pp. 144-157
Jonathan Wylie: The Faroe Islands: Interpretations of History, Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1987, pp. 166-167

Jan Oskar Engene, 1995-OCT-22

On 5 june 1959 the present lighter blue was authorized. Before it had the same shade of blue as Norway.

Mark Sensen, 1995-OCT-23