The flag of the Faroe Islands: Merkið and its history
The Faroese flag, Merkið, was created in 1919 and recognised in 1940 and 1948. What its colours mean, why 25 April is a national holiday and what the coat of arms shows.
The flag of the Faroe Islands is called Merkið. It is a red Nordic cross with a blue border on a white background, from the same family as the flags of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.
What its colours mean
According to the official description:
- White: the sea foam and the clear, bright sky of the islands.
- Blue and red: old Faroese colours, which recall those of other Nordic flags.
- The cross: as in the other Nordic flags, it is understood as a Christian symbol.
A history in three dates
1919: some students in Copenhagen
A group of Faroese students in Copenhagen, led by Jens Oliver Lisberg, designed the flag in 1919. They were inspired by Iceland having just won its sovereignty and its own flag. It was raised for the first time on 22 June 1919 at a wedding in Fámjin, Lisberg’s village on Suðuroy, and the original flag is kept in the church in Fámjin.
1940: Flag Day
In April 1940, Germany occupied Denmark and the United Kingdom occupied the Faroe Islands. Faroese ships needed to be distinguished from those of occupied Denmark, and on 25 April 1940 the British authorised them to sail under Merkið. Since then, 25 April has been Flag Day (Flaggdagur), a national holiday.
1948: national flag
With the Home Rule Act of 23 March 1948, Denmark recognised Merkið as the national flag of the Faroe Islands.
The coat of arms: a ram
The coat of arms of the Faroe Islands is a silver ram with golden horns and hooves on a blue background. It is a symbol with centuries of history: the oldest known depiction appears on one of the medieval chairs from Kirkjubøur. The current version, from 2004, was drawn from that original.
It is no coincidence: sheep have been the basis of life in the islands since the first settlers. Today there are almost 70,000, more than people.
Frequently asked questions
What is the flag of the Faroe Islands called?
Merkið, which in Faroese means the flag or the banner.
What do the colours of the Faroese flag mean?
According to the official description, the white symbolises the sea foam and the clear sky of the islands; the blue and red are old Faroese colours that recall those of other Nordic flags.
Why is 25 April a holiday in the Faroe Islands?
Because on 25 April 1940, during the British occupation of the islands in the Second World War, Faroese ships were authorised to sail under their own flag. Since then it has been Flag Day (Flaggdagur).