The Flag of Denmark - Description and Picture of the Danish Flag
As the above picture of the Danish Flag indicates the overall background is Red
The description of the Danish Flag is as follows:
Red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag
The vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Danish flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
The basic style shown in the picture of the Danish flag is described as Scandinavian Cross reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Danish flag is described as 28:37
The lefthalf of the flag ( viewer's left side ) is called the Hoist and pictures the vertical part of the cross
The Meaning & History of the Danish Flag - The National flag of Denmark is known as the Dannebrog which means "Danish cloth"
The origins of the Danish flag are unknown but it is likely that they derive from the Danish coats of arms used during the Crusades
Another possible explanation of the origins and meaning of the Danish Flag is that it it based on the coat of arms of Lubeck which was red with a white cross
The first Danish king was also king of Lubeck
Lubeck was founded on the site of a ruined Slavic settlement on the Trave River near the Baltic Sea
Lubeck was destroyed by fire in 1138
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Danish Flag Etiquette
Danish Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Danish as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Danish
State Flag of Danish
Military Flag of Danish (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Danish
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Danish Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Danish should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Danish flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Danish should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Danish flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Danish, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Danish Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Danish flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Danish flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Danish flag to the top, then lowering the Danish Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Danish flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Danish flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Danish flag
The Danish flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Danish flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Danish flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Danish Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Danish Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Denmark
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea & the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn)
Danish Land Size : 42,394 sq km
Danish Climate / Weather : temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Danish Population : 5,413,392 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : n/a
Danish Capital City: Copenhagen
Danish GDP: $167.7 billion (2003 est.)
Danish Main Industries : food processing, machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, chemical products, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding, windmills
The Vikings were prolific seafaring warriors from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In Norse the word 'víking' means piracy and the Vikings were best known as raiders rather than as disciplined soldiers. During the Viking Age the Vikings terrorised Europe, including Russia, and established Viking settlements in Greenland, Newfoundland and quite probably discovered the Americas 500 years before Christopher Columbus. Their narrow, long boats were key to their success allowing them to access countries via rivers. In 845AD the Viking Chieftain, Ragnor, led 120 Viking ships down the River Seine to Paris! The access to major cities via the rivers Vikings enabled the Vikings to settle and establish trading throughout Europe. The Vikings converted to Christianity, became assimilated into different civilisations and so ended the Viking Warrior culture.
The Viking Timeline
793 Vikings first raid in England. The monastery of St. Cuthbert at Lindisfarne is sacked
844 Vikings raid Seville in Spain
845 Vikings, led by Ragnor, travel up the River Seine in France
845 The French King pays a ransom to prevent the sacking of Paris
860 Vikings attack Constantinople
862 Vikings found Novgorod in Russia
874 Vikings settle Iceland
900 Vikings raid the Mediterranean coasts
911 Vikings under Rollo are settled in Normandy
981 Erik the Red discovers Greenland
986 Vikings land in Canada
1000 Greenland and Iceland are converted to Christianity by the Vikings
1001 Leif Eriksson reaches the American coast
1050 Vikings found the city of Oslo in Norway which is established as a major trade center
Concise History of Denmark & its Flag
965: Harald Bluetooth (Harold I) converts the Danes to christianity
1016: the Danish king Canute (Knut) II defeats the Wessex King Edmund and becomes King of Denmark and England
1028: Danish Canute conquers Norway
1035: Canute dies. The heir to Denmark and England is Hardacnut
1042: Hardacnut dies suddenly and Edward the Confessor regains the throne of England
1350: the Black plague, "Svartedauen" sweeps Denmark and Scandinavia killing one third of the inhabitants
1397 - Union of Kalmar unites Denmark, Sweden and Norway under a single monarch. Denmark is the dominant power
1660: Denmark becomes a hereditary monarchy under Frederik III
1729: Greenland becomes a Danish province
1814 - Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden
1914-18 World War I - Denmark is neutral
1939 - Denmark signs 10-year non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany
1940 - Germany invades Denmark
August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
1945 - Germany surrenders and Danish occupation ends
"Around the World in 80 minutes!"
A combination of information regarding a Nation's flag, History, Geography and Current Events provides an accurate snapshot of the evolution of each country
In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
A useful Educational Resource accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
The Danish Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Danish Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
