| Meaning/Origin of the Flag: |
| The flag of Lower
Saxony was officially confirmed on 3rd of April in 1951 by the parliament of Lower Saxony.
It shows the colours black-red-gold with the coat of arms of the country. The coat of arms
is a semicircular shield with a skipping white horse in the red field. |
| Since 1952 the former
flags of the in Lower Saxony joined four former states of Hanover, Brunswick, Oldenburg
and Schaumburg-Lippe savor recognition by the state as regional traditional flags. But in the area of Hanover in use in this
context the flag of the former Prussian Province of Hannover and not the flag of the only
a few month in the year 1946 existing Staate of Hanover. |
| The white horse in the
coat of arms is the "Saxons Ross". It has its roots in the Tribal-Duchy of
Saxony and was later adoped from the Welfen-Dynasty. Their symbol was actually a golden
lion on red ground. In this way became it the heraldic animal of the Kingdom of Hannover
(since 1866 Prussian Province of Hannover), of the Prussian Province of Westfalia and
since 1922 of the Country of Brunswick. This tradition is continued in the FRG at those
federal countries to which formerly Welfian territories belong. In this way they have
until today the white horse in their coats of arms: Lower Saxony and North-Rhine
Westfalia. |
| In old reproductions of
coats of arms (at least until 1935) the Saxons Ross held its tail always upward. With the
new-creation of the State of Hanover was that tradition broken after the Second World War,
because the Saxons Ross held on its flag its tail downwards. That was continued in the
Country of Lower Saxony – the successor of the State of Hanover. Because of that the Saxons Ross is called in
Westfalia (wehre it holds the tail still upward) "Westfalia Horse", in contrast
to the "Lower Saxony Horse". |
The flag of the premier
– a car's standard in a size of 30x30 cm – was like all official flags
officially abolished by law on 29th of January in 2002 (Nds. MBl. S. 72), but it is
unofficial furthermore in use for very infrequent diplomatic purpose (e.g. state visits).
The official flag for vessels and boats has its roots in the Flag Right Law (BGBl. I 1994,
S. 3140) of the Federation. It marks the in public service of the Country of Lower Saxony
operating sea ships and ships for inland waters. |
| Source: Die Welt der Flaggen, Volker Preuss |
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