Aberdeen Flag

The flag of Aberdeen is a banner of the city's arms: a red (gules) field charged with three silver triple-towered castles, arranged two above one, within a double tressure flory counter-flory — the ornamental double border associated with Scottish royal heraldry.

The arms are among the oldest civic heraldry in Scotland, and the banner translates them directly to flag form, dispensing with the supporters, crest and motto that accompany the full coat of arms.

The three castles are popularly linked to the three hills on which medieval Aberdeen stood, and the design has represented the burgh for more than five centuries.

The three triple-towered castles represent the fortified medieval burgh, traditionally tied to the three hills of old Aberdeen: Castle Hill, Port Hill and St Catherine's Hill. The red field denotes martial fortitude and royal favor, while the silver (argent) of the castles stands for sincerity and peace.

The double tressure flory counter-flory, a twin border decorated with fleurs-de-lis, is an honor shared with the Royal Arms of Scotland, signalling the city's status as a royal burgh. The city's famous motto, "Bon Accord", belongs to the full coat of arms rather than the flag itself.

The flag's design is based on the city's coat of arms, which is believed to have been in use since at least the 15th century, with the earliest surviving depiction on the 1498 Common Seal of Aberdeen. The arms were officially recorded by the Lord Lyon King of Arms during the Scottish heraldic visitation of 1673, solidifying their legal status. The design as a banner of these arms has been used to represent the city for centuries, though its formal adoption as a specific flag likely followed modern vexillological practices.

The arms and flag have remained remarkably consistent over time, a testament to the city's long-standing civic identity. The current version, including the mural crown and supporters, was formally matriculated in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, maintained by the Court of the Lord Lyon, which governs all Scottish heraldry.