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
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A combination of information
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In just a short period of time this
concise information with specific facts will improve your
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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!
