Nordic Cross flag

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Nordic flags. From left to right respectively; the flag of Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
A selection of Nordic flags used in Northern Europe: Iceland, Faroe Islands, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Åland Islands, Finland.

The Nordic Cross Flag, is a term for flags usually associated with the flags of the Scandinavian countries of which it originated and where the image on the flag is the so called Scandinavian cross. All of the Nordic countries have adopted such flags. All Scandinavian flags may be flown as gonfalons as well.

The first flag with the design was the Danish Dannebrog; thereafter, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and some of their subdivisions used this as inspiration for their own flags. The Norwegian flag was the first Nordic cross flag with three colours. Though the flags share this pattern, they have individual histories and symbolism.[1]

Some of the flags in this list do not have official status. Also, note that flag proportions may vary between the different flags and sometimes even between different versions of the same flag.

Flags of the Nordic countries

Note that most of these flags are historical or have not been officially adopted and their use remains limited.

International

  • Reconstruction of the flag of the Kalmar Union; Denmark, Norway and Sweden (1397–1523)
  • Ship flag from the Kalmar Union period, featuring a Nordic cross and the arms of the constituent kingdoms.
  • Flag of the Nordisk Flaggselskap or Nordic Flag Society

Denmark

Finland

Iceland

Norway

  • Flag of Norway 1821-1844 and 1899–present
  • Naval ensign of Norway since 1905, civilian state flag since 1899.
  • Former flag of Norway (1814-1821).
  • The common naval ensign and war flag of Sweden and Norway from 1815 to 1844.
  • Merchant flag of Norway 1844-1898 with the union badge representing the union with Sweden.
  • Naval ensign and state flag of Norway 1844-1905.
  • Flag of Norwegian fascist party Nasjonal Samling 1933-1945.

Sweden

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Flags of Germany

Nordic flags in Germany were historically used to allude to the nation's Norse heritage and Nordic origins. Nordic flag designs very similar to Denmark's, Sweden's, and Norway's national flags were proposed as Germany's national flags in both 1919 and 1948, after World War I and World War II, respectively. Today, the Nordic cross is a feature in some city and district flags or coats of arms.

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Flags of the United Kingdom

Many locations in Scotland and England were colonized by Norwegian and Danish settlers and viking raiders during the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries. Several locales, particularly in the Scottish islands, have flags or have had flag proposals based on the Nordic cross as a recognition of this Scandinavian heritage.

Scotland

Former and unofficial flags (Scotland)

  • The unofficial flag of the Scottish Highlands features a Nordic Cross.
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Flags of Estonia

The Nordic cross has a long history in Estonia, dating back to 1219. The Nordic flag is originated from Estonia, where according to the Danish legend, it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse. Because of the long Danish and Swedish rule in Estonia, the Nordic cross flags have been evident as county flags in many of Estonian counties since 1219.

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Flags of Latvia

Large parts of today's Latvia have been under Swedish and also Danish rule. Many territories in Latvia have begun using Nordic cross flags. Sometimes this is done to bolster the locality's association with the Scandinavian states (and, as with the proposed flag of Latvia, to assert a Baltic identity over a long-standing affiliation with the Russian sphere of influence.)

Swedish historian Carl-Gustav Liljenberg suggests that Erik XIV of Sweden adopted the blue and yellow cross coat of arms of the city of Riga in 1562, in order to incorporate Riga's important trade system with the Swedish. There is also some evidence that the flag of Scania has its origin in the Archdiocese of Riga. The diocese's yellow coat of arms on a red background derives its origin from Albert de Buxhoevden (Bishop of Riga from 1199-1229), who founded both the diocese in 1201 and the Order of the Sword in 1202. Andreas Sunesen adopted this coat of arms as his own and that of the Archdiocese of Lund.[5]

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Flags of ethnic or linguistic groups

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Non-Nordic Cross flags of areas associated with the Nordic countries

Although different, the offset of the circles and the lines are reminiscent of the Nordic cross flags.

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Image gallery

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See also

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References

  1. ^ Znamierowski, Alfred (2002). The world encyclopedia of flags : The definitive guide to international flags, banners, standards and ensigns. London: Hermes House. pp. 103 and 134. ISBN 1-84309-042-2. 
  2. ^ Kunstavisen
  3. ^ http://www.handelskammaren.net/sv/Omoss/Historik/Vastsvenska-flaggan/
  4. ^ In 1844, German nationalists in the two duchies of Holstein and Schleswig created a blue-white-red tricolour as a symbol for independence which began to see widespread use. In 1845, Denmark responded by outlawing all other flags than the Danish one shown here. This ban was enforced as long as Denmark controlled the two duchies (Holstein and Lauenburg: effectively until 1863, in Schleswig effectively until early 1864.) Use of the Danish flag was in turn outlawed by the secessionist administration that claimed both provinces 1848-1851.
  5. ^ Sven-Olle R. Olsson, Ph.D. (1993). "The Red and Yellow Cross Flag, History and Stories Told". Stiftelsen Skånsk Framtid - The Foundation for the Future of Scania. Retrieved 18 May 2012. 
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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nordic Cross flags
Lists of flags
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Names in italics indicate non-sovereign (dependent) territories and/or former countries.
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Last modified on 11 May 2013, at 11:59