[1][2] In the flag consultation the people of Orkney were asked for their preferred design from a short list of 5,[3] all of which had been approved by the Court of the Lord Lyon.

The chosen design was that of Duncan Tullock of Birsay, which polled 53% of the 200 votes cast by the public.

[4] The colours red and yellow are from the Scottish and Norwegian royal coats of arms, which both use yellow and red, with a lion rampant.

The flag symbolises the islands' Scottish and Norwegian heritage.

The blue is taken from the flag of Scotland and also represents the sea and the maritime heritage of the islands.