The Secret History Behind the Faroe Islands Flag

The Faroese flag has a story as dramatic as the islands' landscapes.

Called the Merkið, it's a red cross bordered in blue, set on a white field. It wasn't designed on the islands at all — it was designed in 1919 by a group of Faroese students studying far from home, in Copenhagen, who wanted a flag distinct from Denmark's for their homeland.

For two decades, it was little more than a local symbol. Then World War Two changed everything: when Nazi Germany occupied Denmark in 1940, British forces occupied the Faroe Islands to prevent the same fate, and recognized the Merkið so that Faroese ships could sail under a flag distinct from occupied Denmark's — keeping them out of German crosshairs on the open sea.

The flag finally became official on March 31, 1948, the same day the islands gained home rule — the date printed on every Faroe Islands design in our catalog. A flag designed far from home by homesick students, that ended up protecting real ships during a real war, before finally coming home to stay.

Shop the Faroe Islands collection → — or explore the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Story Cards page.