 | |
| Proportion | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 26 March 1813 (original version) 1996 (current version) |
| Design | Divided into blue, yellow, and red horizontal stripes |
Theflag that serves as the symbol of the historical and geographical region of theMecklenburg is divided horizontally into two stripes: light blue on the top and white on the bottom. It originated as the flag of theGrand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, adopted in 1813. Since 1996, it is officially recognized as the symbol of the historical region ofMecklenburg withinMecklenburg-Vorpommern,Germany.
The flag is a rectangle divided horizontally into three stripes, that are from top to bottom: dark blue, yellow, and red. Theaspect ratio height to width ratio is equal 3:5.[1]
The flag of Mecklenburg, used between 1813 and 1952.On 26 March 1813, from orders of grand dukeFrederick Francis I, theGrand 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 historicalLordship of Rostock, the yellow colour,Mecklenburg, and the red colour, the historicalCounty of Schwerin.[2]
Thecivil ensign of theGrand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.On 24 March 1855, theGrand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin established itscivil 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 ofRostock 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, theGrand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, did the same, adopting identical flag.[6] Both states existed until 1918, when they were replaced by theFree State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and theFree State of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. In 1934, they were merged into theGau Mecklenburg. The blue-yellow-blue flag remained in use until 1935, whenNazi Germany forbid its provinces from using their flags, ordering them to replace them with thenational flag.[2]
The flag was reestablished in 1947, as the symbol of theState of Mecklenburg, which existed until 1952.[2]
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The unofficial flag of theMecklenburg-Vorpommern used in 1990.Thestate ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern had been established in 1990, following theGerman reunification. In 1990, prior to the establishment of the official flag, the state unofficially used the historical flag ofMecklenburg. 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 yellowescutcheon (shield). Such flag was hoisted in front of theReichstag building inBerlin during the celebrations of theGerman Unity Day on 3 October 1990.[7][8]
The official currentflag of the state had been adopted on 29 January 1991. It was designed by Norbert Buske. Thecivil 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. Theaspect 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 ofWestern Pomerania, and blue-yellow-red flag of Mecklenburg.[2]
In 1996, the flag had been officially recognized as the symbol of the historical region ofMecklenburg withinMecklenburg-Vorpommern,Germany. The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of the equal wight: blue, yellow, and red. Theaspect ratio of its height to its width is equal 3:5.[1]
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