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Norway Flag

by Aakash Singha

The flag of Norway in its pure form was officially hoisted for the first time in the year 1899. Also, download a picture of a blank Norway flag for kids to color.


Norway Flag

 

Blank Norway Flag

Download Picture of Norway Flag Outline for kids to color

Flag of Norway Description

The flag of Norway features the Scandinavian Cross, or Nordic Cross, like the other Nordic nations such as Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. The Nordic Cross represents these nations’ shared history, first used by Denmark as a national symbol, which became a tradition of the countries of Scandinavia. The cross is a symbol of Christianity.

The Norwegian national flag is red, with a navy blue cross, off-center slightly toward the hoist side. The blue cross, which stretches from top to bottom and left to right across the flag, is outlined in a white border. These colors may represent freedom, drawing from the flags of France, the Netherlands, the USA, and the UK. The red and blue also reflect the shared history between Denmark and Sweden.

History of the Norwegian Flag

The flag of Norway design was proposed by Fredrik Meltzer, shown with other proposals on May 4, 1821. The king approved the design for civilian use on July 13, 1821.

Prior to this, the nation had used the flags of various kings, and eventually, it used the Royal Standard of Norway, a red banner with a lion bearing an ax. This was based on the flag used by Erik Magnusson, King of Norway from 1280 to 1299. Norway used a shared flag with Denmark while the two countries were unified. After independence, Norway adopted the Danish flag, incorporating the Norwegian lion.

National symbol(s): lion
National colors: red, white, blue
National anthem:
Name: “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” (Yes, We Love This Country)
Lyrics/Music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK

Fact about the Norway flag

Country Norway
Designed by Fredrik Meltzer
Adopted 13. July 1821
Revision NA
Design and Colors A white-fimbriated blue Nordic cross on a red field
Size Ratio 8:11

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