The Flag of Norway

The flag of Norway is red with an indigo blue Scandinavian cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog, the flag of Denmark. The proportions of the national flag are 22:16 (width to height), its colour elements having a width of 6:1:2:1:12 and a height of 6:1:2:1:6. The proportions of the state flag are 27:16, or 6:1:2:1:6:11 horizontally and 6:1:2:1:6 vertically. This list contains images of and information about the official flags used by Norway. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Norway. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Norway. ... Nordic Cross Flag, Nordic Cross, Scandinavian Cross is a pattern of flags usually associated with the flags of the Scandinavian countries of which it originated. ... The Dannebrog. ...

The red colour shall be PMS 032 U and the blue PMS 281 U in the Pantone system. This approximates to the RGB values #EF2B2D (red) and #002868 (blue). For the record label, see Pantone Music. ... RGB redirects here. ...

National and merchant flag

State and war flag

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

History

The seal of duchess Ingebjørg from 1318 contains the earliest preserved depiction of the flag of Norway.

The national and merchant flag of Norway (1844-1899), with the Sweden-Norway union badge.

The union badge, the "herring salad".

It is difficult to establish what the earliest flag of Norway looked like. During ancient times countries did not fly flags. Kings and other rulers flew flags, especially in battle. Saint Olav used a serpent within a white mark at the Battle of Nesjar. Prior to this the raven or dragon was used. Magnus the Good used the same mark as Saint Olav. Harald Hardråde used the raven banner. This flag was flown by various viking chieftains and other Scandinavian rulers during the ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries CE. Inge used a red lion on gold. Sverre used an eagle in gold and red. The earliest known flag which could be described as a national flag of Norway is the one used today as the Royal Standard. Eirik Magnusson used a flag described as a golden lion with axe and crown on red from 1280 and this was since regularly the flag of Norway and of the King of Norway. Image File history File links Norge-Unionsflagg-1844. ... Image File history File links Norge-Unionsflagg-1844. ... The Kingdom of Sweden-Norway is a term sometimes, but erroneously, used to refer to the kingdoms of Sweden and Norway between 1814 and 1905, when they were united under one monarch in a personal union, following the Convention of Moss, on August 14, and the Norwegian constitutional revision of... Image File history File links Norge-Sverige-Sildesalaten. ... Image File history File links Norge-Sverige-Sildesalaten. ... The Union Badge as seen in the Norwegian flag Norway and Sweden were in a personal union from 1814 to 1905. ... Olaf II Haraldsson ( 995 – July 29, 1030), king from 1015–1028, called during his lifetime the Stout and afterwards known as Saint Olaf, was born in the year in which Olaf Tryggvasson came to Norway. ... The Battle of Nesjar was a sea battle off the coast of Norway in 1016. ... Magnus I (1024 - October 25, 1047) was a King of Norway (1035 - 1047) and king of Denmark (1042 - 1047). ... Harald III Sigurdsson (1015 - 1066), later surnamed Harald Hardraada (Norse: Harald Harðráði, roughly translated as Harald the ruthless) was the king of Norway from 1046 until 1066, and the half brother of Olaf II. He shared power with the son of Olaf II, Magnus I, until after King... The raven banner The raven banner (in Old Norse, Hrafnsmerki; in Old English, Hravenlandeye) was a flag, possibly totemic in nature, flown by various viking chieftains and other Scandinavian rulers during the ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries CE. The flag, as depicted in Norse artwork, was roughly triangular, with a... Inge Haraldson, krokrygg the crouchback (1135 - 1161) was the king of Norway between 1136 and 1161. ... King Sverres trek across the Voss mountains is imagined in this 19th century painting by Peter Nicolai Arbo. ... Royal Standard of Norway The Royal Standard of Norway (Kongeflagget) is used by the King of Norway. ... Eirik Magnusson (c. ...

The flag is based on the Coat of Arms and was originally only a flag for the ruler of Norway (as it is today). It was later also used on ships and on fortresses until it was gradually phased out during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its earliest certain depiction is on the seal of duchess Ingebjørg in 1318. Around 1500 it became the custom for ships to fly the flag of their home country to identify their nationality. At least as late as 1698 the lion banner was flown over Akershus Fortress. The "Norwegian lion" was placed in the colours of all the Norwegian regiments in 1641. In 1748 a decree stated that the Dannebrog should be the only legal merchant flag. The Coat of Arms of Norway is one of the oldest in Europe. ... Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning) is the old castle built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. ... The Dannebrog. ...

From about the 16th century until 1814 Norway used the same flag as Denmark, as it was in union with that country. In 1814 independent Norway adopted the Danish flag with the Norwegian lion in the canton or the upper square at the hoist. This flag was in use until 1821. Later in 1814 Norway was united with Sweden and in 1815 a common flag for both states was introduced, the Swedish flag with a white cross on a red background in the canton. This design was used for government flags and for merchant ships beyond Cape Finisterre. A distinctive Norwegian flag was designed in 1821 by Fredrik Meltzer, a member of the parliament (Storting). It was adopted by both chambers of the Storting on May 11 and May 16, respectively. However, the king refused to sign the flag law, but approved the design for civilian use by royal order in council on July 13, 1821. The design is the same as in the present flag. But as the constitution of 1814 explicitly stated that the war flag was to be a union flag, the common flag (Swedish with a canton signifying Norway) was used by the armies and navies of both states until 1844. Year 1814 (MDCCCXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... The design and description of flags typically uses specialised flag terminology with precise and technical meanings, and is hence a form of jargon. ... The flag of Sweden (Swedish: ) is blue with a yellow Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges of the flag. ... Year 1821 (MDCCCXXI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Fredrik Meltzer (1779 - 1855) designed the flag of Norway. ... The Storting (Stortinget, literally The Big Thing) is the Norwegian Parliament, and is located in the capital city Oslo. ... is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ...

Until 1838 the Norwegian flag was only used in Northern waters, as Norway had no treaty with the Barbary pirates of North Africa and had to fly the Swedish or union flag for protection. In 1844 a union badge combining Norwegian and Swedish colors was placed at the hoist of both countries' flags. The badge was popularly called Sildesalaten ("the herring salad") from its resemblance to a herring salad. Initially, the union flag was popular in Norway, since it clearly denoted the equal status of the two united states. As the union with Sweden became less popular, the Norwegian parliament abolished the union badge from the national (merchant) and state flags in 1898. Although the law was not approved by the King, it became effective since it had been passed by three consecutive Stortings. The "pure" flag was first flown in 1899, but the union badge had to be kept in the war flag. At the dissolution of the union in 1905, it was removed from the navy flag as well. Sweden kept it in all flags until 1905. It is the coolest flag ever. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Laws regarding the flag

The Sami flag.

The Norwegian flag law of 1898 [1] specifies the appearance of the merchant and state flags and their use by merchant ships, customs and post vessels. The flag regulations of 1927 [2] further describe the use of the state flag on state property and on national holidays. Image File history File links Sami_flag. ... Image File history File links Sami_flag. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The flag regulations also describe the time of day when the flag should be drawn. From March to October the flag should be drawn from 8.00. From November to February it should be drawn from 9.00. The flag is drawn until sunset, although no later than 21.00, even if sunset is later than that. In the northern counties Nordland, Troms and Finnmark the flag is drawn between 10.00 and 15.00 from November to February. These rules do not apply for private use of the flag, but they are still usually observed for that use of the flag as well. A composite image showing the terminator dividing night from day, running across Europe and Africa. ... // For other uses, see Nordland (disambiguation). ... County NO-19 Region Nord-Norge Administrative centre Tromsø County mayor   Area  - Total  - Percentage Ranked 4 25,877 km² 8. ... County NO-20 Region Nord-Norge Administrative centre Vadsø County mayor   Area  - Total  - Percentage Ranked 1 48,618 km² 15. ...

There also exist some unwritten rules about things like how the flag should be folded, that it should never touch the ground, and not be worn on the body below the waist.

The Sami flag is now regarded as official, and can be used in addition to or instead of the Norwegian flag on Norwegian flag days as well as the Sami flag days, and other occasions where the use of flag is natural. The rules for when that flag should be used on public buildings are the same as for the Norwegian flag, with the exception that if the Sami flag is used together with the Norwegian flag on official flag days or official occasions (both Norwegian and Sami), the Sami flag should be drawn on the flag pole to the right of the Norwegian flag. The Sami flag is the flag of the Sami people. ...

Symbolism

Fredrik Meltzer submitted his proposal just in time to be exhibited in parliament on 4 May 1821 together with a large number of other proposals. It was approved by both chambers during the following two weeks. Meltzer himself provided no written explanation of his choice of design and colours. However, his intentions may be inferred from an earlier letter of April 30 with his comments regarding the proposal from the flag committee. That design was divided quarterly red and white. Meltzer objected to the colours because they were too similar to those of the Danish flag. He added that it would be equally unseemly to choose the colours of any of "those states with which we have been or are connected". Instead, he recommended a tricolor of red, white and blue, "three colours that now denote freedom, such as we have seen in the French flag of freedom, and still see in that of the Dutch and Americans, and in the Union of the English". ^[1] Fredrik Meltzer (1779 - 1855) designed the flag of Norway. ... is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Tricolour - a flag or banner having three colours Tricolor (ship) - a ship that sunk in the English Channel This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

His eventual choice a few days later of a Nordic cross was clearly based on the tradition established by the other Nordic countries, Denmark and Sweden. The red and blue colours also explicitly referred to the same two countries, former and present union partners. It was clearly understood by all who took part in the flag discussions locally, in the press or in parliament what those colours denoted. A predominantly red flag had many adherents among those who were attached to the union with Denmark or to its flag, which for centuries had also been that of Norway. Others, who saw Denmark as an oppressor, favoured the blue colour associated with the new Swedish dynasty.^[2] Consequently, most of the other flag proposals on the agenda had either red or blue as the predominant colour, depending on the political preferences of the proposers.^[3] The Nordic flags. ... Political map of the Nordic countries and associated territories. ...

Norwegian flag days

• January 1 - New Year's Day
• January 21 - Princess Ingrid Alexandra's birthday
• February 6 - The Sami National Day. (An official flag day both for the Sami people and for the whole of Norway.)
• February 21 - King Harald V's birthday
• Easter Day
• May 1 - Labour Day
• May 8 - Liberation Day 1945
• May 17 - Constitution Day 1814 (National Day)
• Whitsunday
• June 7 - Union Dissolution Day 1905
• July 4 - Queen Sonja's birthday
• July 20 - Crown Prince Haakon Magnus's birthday
• July 29 - Olsok. (Olav's Mass. In memory of King Olav Haraldsson (the Holy), who died in the battle of Stiklestad July 29, 1030.)
• August 19 - Crown Princess Mette-Marit's birthday
• Second Monday of September every 4 years - General election
• December 25 - Christmas Day

is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the date January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway was born January 21, 2004 at 9:13am in Rikshospitalet University Hospital in Oslo. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Sami people (also Sámi, Saami, Lapps, sometimes also Laplanders) are the indigenous people of Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. ... The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a country. ... Image File history File links Sami_flag. ... is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Harald V, KG (born February 21, 1937) is the King of Norway. ... This article is about the Christian festival. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Labour Day Parade in Toronto in the early 1900s A Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. ... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Liberation Day is a day, often a public holiday, that marks the liberation of a place, similar to an independence day. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday each year. ... Year 1814 (MDCCCXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a country. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Norway. ... The term Whitsunday may refer to: The Sunday of the feast of Whitsun or Pentecost in the Christian calendar, observed 50 days after Easter. ... is the 158th day of the year (159th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Independence Day (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see 1905 (disambiguation). ... is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Queen Sonja of Norway (née Sonja Haraldsen, born July 4, 1937 in Oslo) is the queen consort of Norway, wife of King Harald V of Norway. ... is the 201st day of the year (202nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (born Haakon Magnus on July 20, 1973 in Oslo). ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Olsok (literally St. ... Olaf II Haraldsson (995 – July 29, 1030), king from 1015–1028, (known during his lifetime as the Stout or Thick (Olav Digre) and after his canonization as Saint Olaf), was born in the year in which Olaf Tryggvason came to Norway. ... The Battle of Stiklestad (Old Norse Stiklarstaðir) in 1030 is one of the most famous battles in the history of Norway. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events July 29 - Battle of Stiklestad in Norway. ... is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway (born Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in Kristiansand, Norway, on 19 August 1973), is the wife of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. ... This article is about the political process. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ...

Chronology

Likely flag of the Old Kingdom of Norway. Confirmed usage from 1318 to ca. 18th century, probably much older.	Likely flag of the Kalmar Union 1397-1523 (unconfirmed).	Flag of Denmark-Norway ca. 1536-1814. From 1748 the only approved merchant flag.	Flag of Norway 1814-1821. On ships only north of Cape Finisterre, Spain. On longer distances the two following flags were used.
Flag used by Norwegian ships south of Cape Finisterre 1815-1818, optional until 1821.	Flag used by Norwegian ships south of Cape Finisterre, Spain 1818-1844. From 1821 it was also used by Swedish ships there.	Flag of Norway 1821-1844. On ships only north of Cape Finisterre, Spain, until 1838.	Flag of Norway 1844-1899.
Flag of Norway 1899-today.

It is important to note that the use of flags on land (other than in battle) is fairly new. Image File history File links Norwegian_Royal_Standard_flag. ... // [edit] Etymology Modern etymologists believe the countrys name means the northward route (the way north), which in Old Norse would be nor veg or *norð vegr. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Kalmar_Union. ... The Kalmar Union flag. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Denmark. ... The Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, consisting of Denmark and Norway, including Norways possessions Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, is a term used for the two united kingdoms after their amalgamation as one state in 1536. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Norway_1814-1821. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Norway. ... Image File history File links Norge-Unionsflagg-1844. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Norway. ...

See also

• Nordic Cross Flag
• List of flags of Norway
• Coat of arms of Norway
• Union badge of Norway and Sweden
• Royal Standard of Norway
• Holidays in Norway
• Norwegian Constitution Day
• National anthem of Norway
• Flag of Denmark
• Flag of Orkney
• Flag of Sweden
• Flag of Sami

The Nordic flags. ... This list contains images of and information about the official flags used by Norway. ... The Coat of Arms of Norway is one of the oldest in Europe. ... The Union Badge as seen in the Norwegian flag Norway and Sweden were in a personal union from 1814 to 1905. ... Royal Standard of Norway The Royal Standard of Norway (Kongeflagget) is used by the King of Norway. ... Holidays in Norway Categories: Public holidays by country | Norway ... The Norwegian Constitution Day is the National Day of Norway and is an official national holiday each year. ... Listen to anthem (MIDI) (audio help) //   (or: Ja, vi elsker) (In eng: Yes, we love this country) is the national anthem of Norway. ... The Dannebrog. ... Flag of Orkney The Flag of the Orkney Islands is that of St Magnus, a yellow field with a red Nordic cross. ... The flag of Sweden (Swedish: ) is blue with a yellow Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges of the flag. ... The Sami flag is the flag of the Sami people. ...

Notes

External links

• Norway at Flags of the World
• Norwegian defense web page about the flag's history
• University of Bergen chronology
• National Archive flag history With a picture of the seal of duchess Ingebjørg.
• A commercial web site with a flag chronology
• Stortinget flag history page
• FOTW info on the Kalmar Union flag
• Nive pictures and some history from mil.no(Norwegian)

Flags of the World (or FOTW) is an Internet-based vexillological organization and resource. ...