Anthem – flagy – Coat of arms

If you drive through the territory of the Grand Duchy in these times, you will notice that people are once again hoisting flags on their properties. But it would all be more like a curious spectacle if it weren't so sad. A wide variety of flags are flying. Their assortment ranges from black-red-yellow, black-white-red, red-yellow-blue, red-white-blue with yellow stripes to red-white-blue either with or without various coats of arms. Sometimes you will even find an old GDR flag. It's sad because people are keen to demonstrate once again the pride they feel in their homeland or express somewhat wishful thinking, but don't seem to know how. All of this points to a strong sense of inner conflict and a loss of identity, as people are no longer sure where they actually belong. For the most part, this is due to unawareness coupled with doubts or a reluctance to investigate what is actually happening.

In the Grand Duchy, our intention is to bring a love for – and pride in – our homeland back to life. That is why, in keeping with established tradition, we have adopted a hymn that is steeped in Prussian history as the anthem of the Grand Duchy. We also have a flag and coats of arms. The anthem, coat of arms and flag colours are explained below.

Many will already be familiar with the anthem of the Grand Duchies, at least its melody. Its origins lie in the Prussian dynasty, as it was the hymn used to pay homage to the Prussian kings, and subsequently the emperor, a member of the white nobility. (Heil Dir im Siegerkranz or Hail to thee in the victor's garland/Although still unproven, the text is said to have been penned by Heinrich Harries, a pastor and writer from Bruges)

The British pinched this anthem in the early 19th century and turned it into ‘God save the King/the Queen’. It is also used as the official national anthem in the Principality of Liechtenstein. But its origins are definitely in Mecklenburg! However, the composer is unknown.