Home > Flag of Norway

The proportions of the state flag is 6-1-2-1-6-11 horizontally and 6-1-2-1-6 vertically.

1 History

The national and merchant flag of Norway (1844-1899), with the Sweden-Norway union badge.

From the 16th century onward and until 1814 Norway used the same flag as Denmark, as it was in union with that country. In 1814 independent Norway adopted the Danish flag with the Norwegian lion in the hoist. This flag was in use until 1821. Later in 1814 Norway was united with Sweden, and in 1815 a common flag for both states was introduced, the Swedish flag with a white cross on a red background in the top left corner (or canton) of the flag. This design was used for government flags and for merchant ships beyond Cape Finisterre. A distinctive Norwegian flag was designed in 1821 by Fredrik Meltzer, a member of the parliament ( Storting).

Until 1838 the design was only used in Northern waters, as Norway had no treaty with the pirates of North Africa. In 1844 a union badge combining Norwegian and Swedish colors was placed at the hoist of both countries' flags. The badge was popularly called Sildesalaten from its resemblance to a herring salad. As the union with Sweden became increasingly less popular, the Norwegian parliament abolished the union badge from the national, merchant and state flags in 1899. At the dissolution of the union in 1905Events January-April January 22 Massacre of Russian demonstrators at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, one of the triggers of the abortive Russian Revolution of 1905. January 26 The Cullinan Diamond is found near Pretoria, South Africa at the Premier, the badge was removed from the war flag as well. Sweden kept it until 1905Events January-April January 22 Massacre of Russian demonstrators at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, one of the triggers of the abortive Russian Revolution of 1905. January 26 The Cullinan Diamond is found near Pretoria, South Africa at the Premier.

2 Symbolism