The Flag of Greenland
The flag of Greenland, known locally as Erfalasorput, meaning 'our flag', features a circle that is offset to the hoist side, split into two equal horizontal halves. The top half is white, and the bottom half is red. This simple yet striking design represents the sun setting over the ocean and the icebergs, typical of Greenland's landscape. Adopted on June 21, 1985, it breaks away from the traditional Nordic cross seen in other flags of the region, symbolizing Greenland's distinct identity.
History of The Flag of Greenland
Greenland's flag was adopted following a public competition, which received 555 proposals, indicating the community's strong interest in their national symbol. The winning design was created by Thue Christiansen, a Greenlandic artist, teacher, and politician. Prior to 1985, Greenland used the Danish flag due to its status as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The introduction of Erfalasorput marked a significant step in Greenland's journey towards greater autonomy and was a move to foster national unity and pride. It is celebrated annually on June 21, which is also Greenland's National Day, commemorating the flag and the summer solstice.