Flag of the Faroe Islands
The flag of the Faroe Islands is a Nordic [cross flag|Nordic cross] on a white field, with a red cross fimbriated in blue. It is part of the Nordic cross tradition and is commonly interpreted as a Christian symbol.
The design was created in 1919 by Faroese students in Copenhagen led by Jens Oliver Lisberg, and was first hoisted in the Faroe Islands at Fámjin on 22 June 1919. During the British occupation of the Faroe [Islands in World War II], the British authorities recognised Merkið for use by Faroese vessels on 25 April 1940; the date is observed as Flaggdagur. The flag is recognised in the Faroe Islands’ 1948 home-rule settlement, which provides that “a special Faroese flag is recognised”.
Description and symbolism
Merkið is a white Nordic cross flag with a red cross outlined in blue. The cross is offset toward the hoist, in the manner typical of Nordic cross flags. The flag’s construction follows the proportional pattern 6:1:2:1:12 horizontally and 6:1:2:1:6 vertically.The flag’s proportions are set at 8:11 in the Faroese Flag Act, though 5:7 is also commonly encountered in practice.
The colours are often explained with reference to Faroese nature and Nordic ties: white is commonly associated with sea foam and the bright sky, while red and blue appear in traditional Faroese dress and echo the colour schemes of other Nordic flags.
Colours
The Faroese Flag Act specifies the cross colours as Pantone Matching System shades. Norden also publishes commonly used digital equivalents.| Scheme | White | Red | Blue |
| Pantone | Safe | PMS 032 | PMS 300 |
| RGB | #FFFFFF | #EF303E | #005EB9 |