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 accessed from the Index
You can go "Around the World in 80 minutes!"
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!
