Introduction
The flag of Bergen, Norway, is a distinctive heraldic banner featuring a red field with a central golden (yellow) castle and three silver (white) towers. This design is directly derived from the city's official coat of arms, which dates back to the medieval period. The flag serves as a direct representation of the city's historical identity and civic authority.
The central castle motif is a classic example of canting arms, where the visual design represents the name of the place. Bergen's name is associated with the Old Norse word 'bjǫrg', meaning mountain, but the castle symbol has been historically interpreted as a pun or representation of the city's fortified status. The flag's layout is simple yet heraldically significant, making it easily recognizable.
As a municipal flag, it is flown on public buildings and used during official city events. The use of red, gold, and white follows traditional heraldic tincture rules, ensuring high visibility and contrast. The design is formally regulated and is a source of local pride for the inhabitants of Norway's second-largest city.
Meaning & Symbolism
The primary symbol on the flag is the golden castle with three silver towers, which directly represents the city's name and its historical role as a fortified trading center. In heraldry, a castle often symbolizes safety, strength, and a community. The red background is a common color in Scandinavian heraldry, often associated with courage and fortitude.
The three towers are a standard heraldic representation of a city or fortress. The specific colors—red (gules), gold (or), and white (argent)—are classic, vibrant tinctures chosen for their visual impact and adherence to the rule of contrast. Together, the elements symbolize Bergen's historical importance, resilience, and its status as a key urban center in western Norway.
History of the Bergen Flag
The flag's design originates from Bergen's medieval seal, which first depicted a castle with three towers. The oldest known use of this seal dates from 1293. The coat of arms was officially registered in the Norwegian National Archives in 1898, and the flag as a heraldic banner of these arms has been in use since at least that time.
The modern legal basis for the flag is the Norwegian Municipal Coat of Arms Act. The design was formally confirmed for the municipality, ensuring its consistent and official use. The flag represents one of Norway's oldest and most historically continuous civic symbols, directly linking the modern city to its Hanseatic and royal past.
Curiosities
- The flag is a direct 'banner of arms', meaning the design is exactly the same as the city's coat of arms spread across the entire field of the flag.
- Bergen's castle symbol is a classic example of canting arms (heraldic visual puns), though the exact connection between 'Bergen' and a 'castle' is subject to historical interpretation rather than a direct linguistic link.
- Despite Norway's widespread use of Nordic Cross designs for national and county flags, Bergen's flag follows the older heraldic banner tradition common for many European cities.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Bergen in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag's proportions are officially set at 8:11. The central castle motif is positioned in the center of the red field. While exact construction details for municipal flags are less standardized than national flags, the design follows the heraldic blazon: 'Gules, a castle with three towers Or, the portal and windows Argent'. This means the castle's body is gold, and its openings (door and windows) are white.
Flags Similar to Bergen Flag
Albania
red field with black eagle
Portugal
green/red with coat of arms
Georgia
white field with red cross and central charges
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique municipal design, but may be generically associated with other European city flags featuring castles.