Flag of Mecklenburg

Last updated

Mecklenburg
Flagge des Landesteils Mecklenburg.svg
Proportion3:5
Adopted26 March 1813 (original version)
1996 (current version)
DesignDivided into blue, yellow, and red horizontal stripes

The flag that serves as the symbol of the historical and geographical region of the Mecklenburg is divided horizontally into two stripes: light blue on the top and white on the bottom. It originated as the flag of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, adopted in 1813. Since 1996, it is officially recognized as the symbol of the historical region of Mecklenburg within Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

Contents

Design

The flag is a rectangle divided horizontally into three stripes, that are from top to bottom: dark blue, yellow, and red. The aspect ratio height to width ratio is equal 3:5. [1]

History

The flag of Mecklenburg, used between 1813 and 1952. Flagge Grossherzogtumer Mecklenburg.svg
FIAV historical.svg The flag of Mecklenburg, used between 1813 and 1952.

On 26 March 1813, from orders of grand duke Frederick Francis I, the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin had adopted the flag which consisted of three horizontal stripes of equal width: blue, yellow, and red. The blue colour represented the historical Lordship of Rostock, the yellow colour, Mecklenburg, and the red colour, the historical County of Schwerin. [2]

The civil ensign of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Civil ensign of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.svg
FIAV historical.svg FIAV 000100.svg The civil ensign of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

On 24 March 1855, the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin established its civil ensign, which consisted of three horizontal stripes of equal width: blue, white, and red. [3] Such design had been used as the flag of the city of Rostock in Mecklenburg, since 14th century. [4]

On 23 December 1863, the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin adopted the flag protocol, confirming the blue-yellow-red flag, [5] and on 4 4 January 1864, the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, did the same, adopting identical flag. [6] Both states existed until 1918, when they were replaced by the Free State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and the Free State of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. In 1934, they were merged into the Gau Mecklenburg. The blue-yellow-blue flag remained in use until 1935, when Nazi Germany forbid its provinces from using their flags, ordering them to replace them with the national flag. [2]

The flag was reestablished in 1947, as the symbol of the State of Mecklenburg, which existed until 1952. [2]

The unofficial flag of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern used in 1990. Provisional flag of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (1990).svg
FIAV historical.svg FIAV defacto.svg The unofficial flag of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern used in 1990.

The state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had been established in 1990, following the German reunification. In 1990, prior to the establishment of the official flag, the state unofficially used the historical flag of Mecklenburg. It was a rectangle divided horizontally into three equal stripes, that were, from top to bottom, dark blue, yellow, and red. In the centre was placed the historical coat of arms of Mecklenburg, in form of the black head of a bull in yellow crown with white horns, placed in the yellow escutcheon (shield). Such flag was hoisted in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin during the celebrations of the German Unity Day on 3 October 1990. [7] [8]

The flag of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern used since 1991. Flag of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.svg
The flag of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern used since 1991.

The official current flag of the state had been adopted on 29 January 1991. It was designed by Norbert Buske. The civil flag consists of five horizontal stripes, that are from the top to bottom: blue (ultramarine), white, yellow, white, and red (vermilion). The proportions of the stripes are equal to 4:3:1:3:4. The aspect ratio of the flag height to its wight is equal 3:5. The colours are combined from the flags of two historical regions of the country, blue and white flag of Western Pomerania, and blue-yellow-red flag of Mecklenburg. [2]

In 1996, the flag had been officially recognized as the symbol of the historical region of Mecklenburg within Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of the equal wight: blue, yellow, and red. The aspect ratio of its height to its width is equal 3:5. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mecklenburg</span> Historical region of Germany

Mecklenburg is a historical region in northern Germany comprising the western and larger part of the federal-state Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The largest cities of the region are Rostock, Schwerin, Neubrandenburg, Wismar and Güstrow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Aruba</span>

The national flag of Aruba was adopted on 18 March 1976, along with the official anthem "Aruba Dushi Tera". The flag was partially designed by vexillologist Whitney Smith. On 18 March Aruba celebrates National Anthem and Flag Day, marked by local events across the island. It is also a significant day as it represents the Kingdom of the Netherlands giving Aruba an autonomous status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Poland</span>

The national flag of Poland consists of two horizontal stripes of equal width, the upper one white and the lower one red. The two colours are defined in the Polish constitution as the national colours. A variant of the flag with the national coat of arms in the middle of the white fess is legally reserved for official use abroad and at sea. A similar flag with the addition of a white eagle is used as the naval ensign of Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Lithuania</span>

The national flag of Lithuania consists of a horizontal tricolour of yellow, green, and red. It was adopted on 25 April 1918 during Lithuania's first period of independence (1918–1940), which ceased with the occupation first by the Soviet Union, and then by Nazi Germany (1941–1944). During the post-World War II Soviet occupation, from 1945 until 1988, the Flag of the Lithuanian SSR consisted first of a generic red Soviet flag with the name of the republic, in 1953 that was changed to the red flag with white and green bands at the bottom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Limburg (Netherlands)</span> Dutch provincial flag

The flag of Limburg is a flag with the ratio of approximately 1:2. It consists of 3 rows of colors in a size ratio of 2:1:2. The colors used are white, blue and gold (yellow). The flag was adopted by decree of the provincial executive of Limburg on 28 July 1953.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Merit Cross (Mecklenburg-Schwerin)</span> Award

The Military Merit Cross (Militärverdienstkreuz) was established by Friedrich Franz II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on August 5, 1848. Mecklenburg-Schwerin, a grand duchy located in northern Germany, was a member of the German Confederation and later the German Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreschvitz</span> Municipality in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

Dreschvitz is a municipality in southwest Vorpommern-Rügen, a district on the island of Rügen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. It is managed from the Amt of West-Rügen with its head offices in the village of Samtens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern</span>

The civil flag that serves as the symbol of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, consists of five horizontal stripes, that are from the top to bottom: blue (ultramarine), white, yellow, white, and red (vermilion). It was designed by Norbert Buske and adopted on 29 January 1991. It is a combination of the historical flags of the Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Silesia and Lower Silesia</span>

The flag that serves as the symbol of the historical and geographical regions of the Silesia, and Lower Silesia, and as one of the symbols of the Silesian people, is divided horizontally into two stripes: white on the top and yellow on the bottom. It originated as the flag of the Province of Silesia, used from 1882 to 1919, that later used as the flag of the Province of Lower Silesia, from 1920 to 1935. Currently, the flag is recognized symbol of the Silesian people in the state of Saxony in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Upper Silesia</span>

The flag of Upper Silesia serves as the symbol of the historical and geographical region of the Upper Silesia in Poland, and as one of the symbols of the Silesian people; it is divided horizontally into two stripes: yellow on the top and blue on the bottom. It originated as the flag of the Prussian Province of Upper Silesia adopted in 1920, with its colours based on the coat of arms of Upper Silesia. The flag is also popular symbol used by the Silesian Autonomy Movement and the Silesian Separatist Movement

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the Silesian Voivodeship</span> Flag of the Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

The civil flag of the Silesian Voivodeship, Poland is triband rectangle, divided into three horizontal stripes, that are from top to bottom: blue, yellow, and blue. The blue stripes are twice the size of the yellow middle stripe. The state flag is a blue rectangle with yellow eagle placed in its centre. It was designed by Barbara Widłak, and adopted on 11 June 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship</span>

The flag of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland is a triband rectangle, divided vertically in 3 stripes of white, red, and white colour, and with the coat of arms of the voivodeship in the middle. It was adopted in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the Opole Voivodeship</span> Flag of the Opole Voivodeship, Poland

The civil flag of the Opole Voivodeship, Poland is a rectangle divided into two horizontal stripes, with yellow on the top, and blue at the bottom. The top stripe is twice the size of the bottom one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the Greater Poland Voivodeship</span> Flag of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland

The flag of the Greater Poland Voivodeship, Poland is a trapezoid divided into red stripe on the right, and white stripe on the left, with a white eagle with yellow (golden) beak, legs, stripes on its wings, and a ring on its tail, featured in the middle of the red stripe. It was adopted in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship</span> Flag of theWarmian–Masurian Voivodeship, Poland

The flag of the Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship, is red with a white boundary on its top, bottom, and right sides, and with the head of a white (silver) eagle, with yellow (golden) beak, and an eye, wearing a yellow (golden) crown, located on its left side. It was adopted in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship</span> Flag of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland

The flag of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland is a rectangle divided into four parts. Its left part features a yellow vertical stripe, which wight equals to 1:4 of the wight of the flag. Its right part is divided into three horizontal stripes, that are, from top to bottom: blue, white, and red. In the middle of the white stripe is placed the coat of arms of the voivodeship. The first version of the flag had been adopted in 2001, and current version is used since 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Western Pomerania</span>

The flag that serves as the symbol of the historical and geographical region of the Western Pomerania is divided horizontally into two stripes: light blue on the top and white on the bottom. It originated as the flag of the Province of Pomerania, Prussia, used from 1882 to 1935. Since 1996, it is officially recognized as the symbol of the historical region of Western Pomerania within Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania, Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coat of arms of Pomerania</span>

The coat of arms of Pomerania, also known as the Pomeranian Griffin, is the symbol of Pomerania, a historical region on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in Central Europe, split between Poland and Germany. It depicts a red griffin with yellow (golden) beak and claws, placed within a white (silver) shield. It originates from the late 12th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Białogard</span> Symbol of Białogard, Poland

The flag, which serves as the symbol of the city of Białogard, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, in western Poland, is divided into three horizontal stripes, including a blue stripe in the middle, and two white stripes, twice its size, placed on top and bottom, and with two light red rhombuses, each placed in the left corner of white stripe. The flag was established in 2004.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mecklenburg-Vorpommern". www.smev.de. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Norbert Buske: Wappen, Farben und Hymnen des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Eine Erläuterung der neuen Hoheitszeichen des Landes verbunden mit einem Gang durch die Geschichte der beiden Landesteile dargestellt an der Entwicklung ihrer Wappenbilder. Mit Aufnahmen von Thomas Helms. Edition Temmen, Bremen 1993, ISBN 3-86108-202-0, p. 98ff.
  3. Regierungsblatt Mecklenburg-Schwerin Nr. 14 S. 65
  4. John B. Norie; J. S. Hobbs: Flaggen aller seefahrenden Nationen. Norderst: E. Heinemann. 1971. 1st edition.
  5. Regierungsblatt Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1864 Nr. 2 S. 10
  6. Regierungsblatt Mecklenburg-Schwerin Nr. 14 S. 65
  7. Heinz Machatschek: Visitenkarte der neuen Länder der DDR, Junge Welt. September 1990.
  8. Horizont, no. 40/1990, Berlin: VEB Verlag für die Wirtschaft. 1990.