The Flag of Norway - Description of the Norwegian Flag
As the above picture of the Norwegian Flag indicates the overall background is Red
The description of the Flag of Norway is as follows:
The Norwegian flagis red with a blue cross outlined in white 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 Norwegian flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
The basic style shown in the picture of the Norwegian 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 Norwegian flag is described as 8:11
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 Norwegian Flag
1700'S until 1814 Norway used the same flag as Denmark
1814 The peace treaty of Kiel and Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden
1818 Norway had to use the Swedish flag
1821 The Norwegian flag was designed by Fredrik Meltzer
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
Norwegian Flag Etiquette
Norwegian 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 Norwegian as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Norwegian
State Flag of Norwegian
Military Flag of Norwegian (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Norwegian
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Norwegian Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Norwegian 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 Norwegian flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Norwegian should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Norwegian flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Norwegian, 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 Norwegian Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Norwegian flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Norwegian flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Norwegian flag to the top, then lowering the Norwegian Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Norwegian flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Norwegian flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Norwegian flag
The Norwegian 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 Norwegian 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 Norwegian flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Norwegian 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 Norwegian Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Norway
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Norwegian Land Size : 307,860 sq km
Norwegian Climate / Weather : temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
Norwegian Population : 4,574,560 (July 2004 est.)
Norwegian Capital City: Oslo
Norwegian GDP: $171.6 billion (2003 est.)
Main Industries : petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
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 Coloumbus. 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 Norway & its Flag
1028: Canute conquers Norway
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
1536 Danish becomes the written language of Norway
1814 The peace treaty of Kiel and Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden
1814 The Norwegian constitution was written
1905 The union with Sweden disintegrates and Norway becomes an independent kingdom
1905 The Danish prince Karl becomes King Haakon VII of Norway
1914-18 World War I and Norway remains neutral
1939 - 1945 WW11
1940 9th April Germany occupies Norway
August 1945 The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
1945 Germany surrenders to the Allies and the Nazi-occupation ends in Norway
"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 Norwegian Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Norwegian 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!
