The respect
Norwegians honour their country by respecting the flag and
treating it properly. There are many rules as to how to run it
up, when to lower it, how to store it, which
days the flag should be used.
The traditions
The rules are based upon traditions, but these are not very
old ones. Norway only became a free kingdom in 1905, and the
Norwegian flag as we know it today dates back to 1821. Still,
these traditions are very strong and very important to most
Norwegians, since the flag symbolises the freedom of the country.
The feelings
These strong feelings for the country are showed in the way
Norwegians treat their flag. For instance, on May 17, National
Holiday and Constitution Day, Norwegians of all ages will be
carrying either a little flag, or wearing the three colors in a
tricolor attached to the clothing.
The colors of the Norwegian flag
The colors of red, white and blue are not traditional colors
dating back to the viking age. If there would be any such
colors, they would be red and yellow, or golden, from the golden
lion on a red background on old, royal weapons.
The flag as we know it today was born in 1821. The colors
are an inheritage from the free countries of Europe in the 19th
century, like Great Britain, France as well as the United States.
It's the same colors as in the tricolor, the symbol of the
revolution in France. The cross is an inheritage from our Nordic
neighbours, Denmark and Sweden. Later, other Nordic countries
have followed in this tradition: Finnland, Iceland, the Faeroe
Islands and Åland.
From 1821, Norway had its own national flag while still in
political union with Sweden. But the flag could not be used all
over the world: due to a deal the Swedes had made with North
African pirates, Swedish ships were left in peace at sea. Thus,
Norwegian ships sailing south of Cap Finisterre in Spain would
seek the protection of the Swedish flag.
The Norwegian flag had been discussed and planned and drafted
since the constitution was written in 1814. The three colors we
have were not the only propositions: green was also mentioned as
a neutral color nobody could take offence of! The final flag was
a compromise that everybody could agree on; Danes, Swedes or
Norwegian patriots. The red basic color was taken from Denmark,
the blue cross was meant to represent Sweden, and the white frame
around the cross made it the tricolor of freedom and placed
Norway among the other free nations. Another explanation of the
white color, is that several Norwegian kings had used this
color in their banners and weapons.
The different shapes of the Norwegian flag
The law of 1898 describes in detail the flag's length, width,
and the red squares.
The Splitflag (the fly cut into swallow-tails): the state alone
is allowed to use it, on public buildings, or buildings owned by
the state and the state church, postal and customs ships, as well
as ships rented by the state, on exhibitions that the state is
responsible for.
The colors' internal relationship is : 6 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 17 (12+5)
The national and merchant flag.
The colors' internal relationship:
6 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 12
 The streamer is
a very much used version of the Norwegian flag. People don't like
to see their flag poles "naked", so, on ordinary days,
i.e. not official flag flying days or Sundays, many choose to
always have their streamer up and flying in the wind. The
streamer can be very long indeed, as shows this picture.
Sweden: Yellow cross and light blue squares (lighter blue than Norway's).
Denmark: White cross and red squares. Called the 'Dannebrog'.
Finland: Blue cross and white squares.
Iceland: Red cross, blue squares and white in the middle.
Read all about the Icelandic flag on Islandia.
Faeroe Islands (a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Red cross with white squares and blue in the middle. The flag was introduced in 1934 and adopted in 1948.
Åland Islands (an autonomous, demilitarised, monolingually Swedish-speaking administrative province of Finland)
Red cross, blue squares and yellow in the middle. The flag dates from about 1920 and was officially adopted in 1954, for use on land only.
Greenland, which is a self-governing dependency of Denmark, got its own flag in 1995. The colors are red and white as the 'Dannebrog' (the Danish national flag) but differs from all the other Nordic and Scandinavian flags in its design.
 For centuries, Norway shared Denmark's flag. It was
called the "Dannebrog", which literally translated
means 'Danish cloth', but whose symbolic meaning can best be
described as 'The spirit of Denmark'. The oldest docucmentary for
its existence as a flag dates from the reign of King Valdemar IV
(1340-75). The splitflag type has been known since the early 17th
century, ans is reserved for official purposes, as the Norwegian
splitflag is today.
 Norway only got its very own flag after the
constitution was written in 1814. But it was a long road yet to
obtain autonomy, and to find the final solution to a national
flag. In the first years of the union with Sweden, the Andreas
cross flag was used.
 In 1821, the Norwegian flag was designed, and in
1844, it was recognized for all purposes, but with a 'union
canton' consisting of the combined crosses of Norway and Sweden.
This device was unpopular in Norway, The Storting took unilateral
action to remove the Union Canton in 1898, and the king assented
on October 11 1899.
In
1905, when Norway renounced on the political union with Sweden
and became a separated independant kingdom on June 7, could the
real, Norwegian flag fly freely - clean from other colors. The
Union Canton did in fact remain in the ensign and certain other
official flags up to the day of Independence.
The following are rules for official buildings and properties,
and not for individuals. Individuals may hoist their flags on
these days on their own initiative.
These rules for official flag flying days are based on a law
dating back to 1898 and a royal resolution from 1927.
January 1: New Year's Day
January 21: Birthday of HRH Princess Ingrid Alexandra (added December 2004)
February 6: Day of the Sami People (added December 2003)
February 21: HM King Harald's birthday
Easter Sunday
May 1: Labor Day
May 8: Liberation Day 1945
May 17: National Holiday
Whitsunday
June 7: Dissolution of Union with Sweden 1905
July 4: HM Queen Sonja's birthday
July 20: HRH Crown Prince Haakon Magnus' birthday
July 29: Olsok (St. Olav is the patron saint of Norway)
August 19: Birthday of HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit
September 22: HRH Princess Märtha Louise's birthday
December 25: Christmas Day
Parliament elections
You can also always refer to the official list of official
flag days and public holidays, and movable holidays in Norway at http://odin.dep.no/ud/publ/minifakta/m02e.htm.
This is closely related to the respect of the flag, namely
when to hoist and when to take down the flag.
From March to October, in the "light" season, the
flag shall be hoisted at 8 am and taken down at sunset but never
later than 9 pm.
From November to February, the winter months, the flag shall
be hoisted at 9 am and taken down at sunset.
There are special rules for the northern counties, Nordland,
Troms and Finnmark: from November to February the flag shall be
hoisted at 10 am and taken down already at 3 pm.
In addition to these yearly dates, public authorities must also
hoist the flag:
- for Parliament elections
- when the Government decides; for foreign head of states
on official visits, and on solemn and happy occasions.
Colors in Norwegian Heraldry
The Norwegian heraldic system only knows general terms for colors: red, blue, green, black, white and yellow (plus furs of course). Orange is not accepted. The colors must be "clear and unbroken".
The heraldic authorities at the National Archives recommend the following colors for printing arms. However, the metal gold is substituted for the color yellow in flags, while the other colors are the same in both flags and arms. The Pantone system is used:
Red = 001 Warm Red
Blue = 022 Process Blue
Green = 354
Black = 071 Black
Gold = 116
White is not defined specifically. It is only said that the white is given by the color of the paper. For flags the golden color is not acceptable, in fact it is mostly not used in print either.
Sources:
Cappelen & Beck: Fakta om flagget, Schibsted, Oslo
1987.
allstates-flag.com
Related links:
Firefly Guide to Flags of the World. The stories of nations as told through their flags. Quick-reference fact files include the geographical area, population, capital city, languages, religions, ethnic groups, national anthem title and national motto.
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Pugster Flag Of Norway Italian CharmA classic norwegian flag charm with a blue cross set over a deep red background, authenticated by Pugster Inc. crafted in a similar style that fits all major brand italian charms
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Zoppini Norwegian Flag Link, Stainless Steel, 750 0/00 Gold and Enamel, Hand Italian made
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Flag Lore of All Nations. Reading level: Ages 9-12. Arranged alphabetically, each country's flag is illustrated, with an accompanying text covering its history, symbolism, and lore, if appropriate. A pronunciation guide, grids showing usage of each flag (civil, military, and state), a world map, and a listing of nations by continent are included.
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Norway Flag Nylon 3 ft. x 5 ft. Our international flags are accurately reproduced to exact specifications. The flag has 2 brass grommets on the left edge for hanging. For outdoor use, we recommend these nylon flags.
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Norway Flag 4x6The 4"x6" size is mounted to a staff with a spear top. The flag has 2 brass grommets on the left edge for hanging. Polyester flags not recommended for prolonged outdoor use. For outdoor use, we recommend nylon flags.
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Norway & U.S. Lapel Pin. Brass lapel "Friendship" pin. The country flag is crossed with the U.S. flag. Military clutch back for a secure fit. The pin measures approx. 7/8" x 1/2".
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