1969, 2 guys came up with a flag design. A long process ensued (see part 1 and 2 of the epic flag story). Jos Poels, a chap from the Netherlands, a flag historian and author of 'Flags of the World,' was the consultant to the Shetland Island Council in 2006 and reponsible for the exact specifications of the flag.
The Shetland flag is said to represent its Nordic and Scottish history. The blue may be seen as where the Shetland Islands, in the blue Atlantic ocean, are the crossroads where Scandinavian and British cultures meet and mingle
On June 21st 2007, the flag, after much cogitating and deliberating was designated as Shetland Flag Day. Shetland every year, on the longest day of the year, when the sun hardly sets, celebrates its flag, and frankly I'm not surprised after discovering the long process involved! Now I'm more flag-savvy I will celebrate in style next year, for sure!
As yet there's no name for the flag. It was proposed to call it 'Da Hjalt' after the old Norse name for Shetland - which was Hjatland. Hjalt means the hilt or cross guard of a sword.
In 2009 a Shetland flag day competition began as part of the Johnsmas Foy festivities. Anyone can enter, visitors or locals. The competition asks people to submit a photograph of the Shetland flag in the most entertaining or unusual locations. My favourites are shown above. The rest of the submissions can viewed by clicking here.
This is the final part of the flag story, well, so far anyway. There's sure to be something else, but for now it is as it is - plain, yet striking - simple, but saying so much - much like the Shetland landscape - perfect.
well I learn something new everyday!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how much work involved in getting a flag designed and recognised!
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