Norway

Information about the Norwegian Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of Norway

The Norwegian flag, officially adopted on July 17, 1821 has an indigo blue-colored cross over a red field. The cross is in the style of a Scandinavian cross, with its shorter arm or the vertical part of it placed lopsided, nearer to the hoisting side of the flag. The cross is outlined in white. In another term, it can be a wider white cross with a smaller blue cross placed inside the white one. Its proportion favors a longer flag with a dimension of 8:11.

The Norwegian flag was designed in 1821 by Parliamentarian Frederik Meltzer. The parliament was discussing how to incorporate Norway’s link with Denmark and Sweden. And they also wanted colors that will convey freedom, drawing inspiration from the designs and colors of the flags of the Netherlands, the United States, France and the United Kingdom. Eventually the design took shape, with the lopsided cross in blue to honor Norway’s ties with Sweden that started from 1814 and lasted until 1905; white to outline the cross to echo the color used in the banners well as weapons of the past kings of Norway and red for Norway’s old affiliation with Denmark that started in the middle of the 15th century up to 1814.

There are no special meanings associated with the colors used in the flag of Norway. The cross symbolizes Christianity and its blue color symbolizes the association with Sweden and a white outline added while red is for Denmark. The tricolors denote Norway’s independence.

:: References ::
http://www.worldflags101.com/n/norway-flag.aspx
http://www.flags-flags-flags.org.uk/norwegian-flag.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Norway