Flag of Kashubia

Flag of Kashubia

Use	De facto flag
Proportion	5:8
Adopted	18 August 1929
Design	Two black and yellow stripes

Second variant, inspired by the coat of arms

The flag of Kashubia (Kashubian: fana Kaszëb) is the flag used to represent Kashubians. It usually cotains either two black and yellow stripes or a black griffin with a crown on a yellow background.

Design[]

The colours, proportions, or events during which the Kashubian flag should be used have not been officially stated. An exception is Kaszëbskô Jednota, which describes the flag as follows: "The Kashubian flag has two colours; black and yellow, which are supposed to represent the coat of arms." The coat of arms consists of a black griffin with a crown on a yellow background. It was adapted into a banner, which changed the proportions from their normal to a rectangle. The coat of arms derives from the symbol of the House of Griffin.^[1] Other sources describe the Kashubian flag as following: "A 5:8 flag with the colours of Kashubia (yellow and black) organised into two horizontal stripes".^[2]

History and origins[]

The first recorded use of the flag dates back to 18 August 1929 during a Kashubian convention in Kartuzy.^[1]

In the book Współczesna literatura kaszubska 1945-1980, the author states that the griffin flag was the first to be shown, and the two-strip flag was the second. He also mentions that prof. Aleksander Majkowski owned a similar/the same flag before the convention happened.^[3]

After the fast spread of the flag from 1929, the local government was worried and reacted immediately. The flag was taken down, and in order to prevent further escalation, the flag was put next to the Polish one.^[3]

Some theories state that the flag originates from the flag of the Habsburg Monarchy.^[4]

Usage[]

In the modern day, the flag is used during special events and by Kashubian organisations, as well as citizens that want to show their Kashubian ethnicity, usually putting them on walls and roofs, as well as smaller versions on cars or yachts.^{[citation needed]}

Holiday[]

The Kashubian Flag Holiday (Swiãto Kaszëbsczi Fanë) happens on 18 August as the anniversary of the first time the Kashubian flag was displayed.^[5] The first celebration of said holiday happened in 2012 as an initiative of Kaszëbskô Jednota.^[6]

References[]