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Finnmark (Norway)

by Jan Oskar Engene, 1995-NOV-16

Description of the flag
Status of the flag

Description of the flag

The position of Finnmark as a border province is marked in the flag of the modern day county of Finnmark: A yellow castle on a field of black. The castle represents the fortifications at Vardø built under king Haakon V (king of Norway from 1299 to 1319, he also built Akershus in Oslo).

I do not claim that the proportions are totally correct. As always with the flags of Norwegian counties and municipalities, the flag is based on the arms.

Jan Oskar Engene, 1995-NOV-16

From Norske Kommunevåpen (Oslo 1987, Kommunalforlaget AS), I found out that the castle is not only the symbol of the castle at Vardø, but also symbol of resurection of Finnmark after WWII, when it was totaly destroyed in battles among the German and Red army.

According to the book I mentioned in the previous message, the windows of the castle are somewhat diferent: they are Or, outlinde Sable, and the shape is more arrowlike.

Zeljko Heimer, 1995-NOV-17

Yes, I remember now. I made my image from a picture I believe is a copy of the drawing that was made by the heraldic artists and submitted along with the application for approval. However, I may be wrong - I will consult other sources. Still, the definition of the flag does probably not specify the shape of the windows. In the Norwegian system for public heraldry, variations in drawing the arms and flag are allowed as long as they conform to the definition.

Jan Oskar Engene, 1995-NOV-17

Status of the flag

From Norske Kommunevåpen (Oslo 1987, Kommunalforlaget AS), I found out that the coat of arms of Finnmark was accepted by king's resolution 6th January 1967, and I suppose the flag also. The designer was Hallvard Trætteberg.

Zeljko Heimer, 1995-NOV-17