Faroe Islands
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The Faroe Islands flag (Merkið) features a white background with a red-bordered blue Nordic cross offset to the hoist side. The design follows the Nordic cross tradition established by Denmark's Dannebrog. The blue represents the sea and sky, the white represents the foam of the waves and the purity of the islands.
The flag was first raised in 1919 by Faroese students in Copenhagen. During World War II, when Denmark was occupied, the British authorities recognised the Merkið for Faroese ships, and it became the official flag in 1948 when the Faroe Islands gained self-governance.
Adopted: 1948
