Norwegian Flag

Norwegian Flag

 

FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY

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 left half 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
 

Canton - Flag Terminology

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
 
 
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
  • 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
 
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 anew flag
 
 
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
 

National Flags of the World Map

Norway

Location: Northern Europe, bordering
the North Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, west of Sweden

 
 

Norway

  • 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
  • Norwegian Agricultural products : barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
  • Norwegian Currency : Norwegian krone (NOK)
  • Main Colors of the Norwegian Flag : Red
  • Commonly mis-spelt as Norweigian
 

The Vikings  AD793 - 1050 The Viking Age

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
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!

 

Norwegian Flag

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