Last modified: 2005-04-02 by phil nelson
Keywords: batsfjord | fishing hook |
Links: FOTW homepage |
search |
disclaimer and copyright |
write us |
mirrors
by Jan Oskar Engene, 27
April 2002
Approved on 19 April 1985.
See also:
Once again we are dealing with a very simple, yet distinct, coat of arms, and
consequently also a simple and effective flag: A fishing hook in white on a blue
field. The arms and flag were approved by Royal resolution dated 19 April 1985.
One might criticize the blazon for being too general in the description of the
charge, as the drawing shows a special kind of fishing hook, a type made of
bone. This kind of bone fishing hook is known back to the Stone Age. As we know,
modern metal fishing hooks look quite different, and their thin appearance makes
them unsuitable as heraldic charges. The choice of a fishing hook for a charge
is explained by the fact that Båtsfjord is a community that relies on fishing
for income. Source: [cjo87].
Jan Oskar Engene, 27 April 2002
Is there a reason for Båtsfjord municipality to specifically choose a Stone
age fishing hook?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 1 May 2002
I am not sure, but I would not be surprised if there is some connection to an
archaeological find in the municipality.
Jan Oskar Engene, 2 May 2002
Norske kommunevåpen [c2j87] shows a drawing of a hook very similar to the one pictured in the flag, captioned (my translation): "Bone fishing hook from younger stone-age, found near Vadsø." The hook in the flag is similar, but made remarkably "fatter" so to fill the field decently.