As the
above picture of the Finland Flag indicates the overall
background is White with a blue cross
The description of
the Finnish Flag is as follows:
White
with a blue cross extending 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 Finland flag represent the
following:
White -
represents snow and also peace and honesty
Blue -
represents lakes and sky and also vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The
basic style shown in the picture of the Finland flag is
described as the 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 Finland flag is described as
11:18
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 Finland Flag :
Finland was part of
Sweden until incorporated into the Russian empire in 1809
Finland declared
independence on 6 December 1917
1918 Eero Snellman
and Bruno Tuukkanen designed the official Finnish flag
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
Finland
Flag Etiquette
Finland 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 Finland as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of
precedence for the flag
National Flag of
Finland
State Flag of
Finland
Military Flag of
Finland (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of
Finland
The United Nations uses alphabetical order
when presenting a national flag including the Finland Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures
that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's
flag
The
National flag of
Finland 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 Finland flag should never be allowed to drag
along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of
Finland should be removed
and replaced with a new flag
Due care and
consideration must be taken to ensure that the Finland flag is
always
flown the correct way up
A Flag of Finland, 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 Finland Flag display
Hoist - the
act or function of raising the Finland flag, as on a rope
Half Staff
or Half Mast - the Finland flag is hoisted to half of the potential
height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed
by first raising the Finland flag to the top, then lowering the
Finland Flag halfway
Distress -
denoted by flying the Finland flag upside-down
Manner of
hoisting - The Finland flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously
No
disrespect should be shown to the Finland flag
The Finland 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 Finland
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
Finland flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Finland
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 Finland Flag Etiquette has
provided a useful resource.
Finland
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic
Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and
Russia
Land Size of
Finland : 305,470 sq km
Climate / Weather
of Finland : cold temperate; potentially subarctic but
comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North
Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Population of
Finland : 5,214,512 (July 2004 est.)
Capital City of
Finland : Helsinki
GDP of Finland :
$141.7 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries :
metal products, electronics, shipbuilding, pulp and paper,
copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing
Main Colors of
Finland Flag :
White with a blue cross
Concise History of
Finland & its Flag
A.D.
800-1050 The Viking Age when Swedish Vikings came into
contact with Finland when establishing, via Russia, trade ties.
The Finnish word for Sweden is 'Ruotsi' and the Finns' name for
the Swedes is 'Rus' which is believed to be the origin of the
name Russia
1323 -
Finland becomes part of the Swedish realm
1550
Helsinki founded as Helsingfors by the Swedish king
1808 -
Russian invasion of Sweden supported by Napoleon
1809 -
Finland is ceded to Russia by the Swedes
1812 -
Helsinki becomes capital of Finland
1899 Russian
imposed as the official language
1914-18
World War I
1917 - The
Russian Revolution and Finland declares its independence
1919 -
Finland becomes a republic
1939 -
Outbreak of World War II. Finland declares its neutrality but is
invaded by the Soviet Union in November
1940 - The
Treaty of Moscow gives approximately 10% of Finnish lands to the
Soviet Union
1941 -
Finland declares war on the Soviet Union and Britain declares
war on Finland
August 1945
The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
1945 Germany
surrenders to the Allies
1947 - Peace
treaty signed between Finland and Soviet Union
"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
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The
Flag and Nation of Finland
We hope that the presentation of facts
and information regarding the Flag and Country of Finland 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!
