Flag of Finland
Finnish flag
- Official approval of the flag: 1918 year
- Flag emoji: 🇫🇮
- Period: Modern flags
- Type of flag: Flags of countries • Flags of continental countries
- Belonging to the continent: Europe
- Colors on the flag: white • blue
- Emblem on the flag: Without emblem
Finland is located in Northern Europe, bordering Sweden, Norway, and Russia, and is washed by the Baltic Sea in the south. The capital is Helsinki. The area is 338,455 km², the population is approximately 5.5 million people. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, and Sami is also recognized. Finland became independent from Russia in 1917. The country is known for its high level of education, social security and environmental awareness. The main ethnic group is Finns, with minorities of Swedes and Sami.
The flag of Finland, known as the “Blue Cross” (Siniristilippu), is the official symbol of Suomi. Its design with a blue cross on a white background reflects the country’s natural beauty and Christian traditions. Simple yet elegant, the flag has become a symbol of independence, national identity and unity of the Finnish people.
History of the Finnish flag
The history of the Finnish flag is linked to the country’s struggle for independence, as well as its natural resources and national traditions.
The origin of the flag
- XIX century: When Finland was part of the Russian Empire, various symbols were used, including the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Finland. However, the idea of creating a national flag came to Finns after the national awakening.
- 1860s: Blue and white colors began to be associated with Finland due to its natural landscapes: blue lakes and white snow.
- 1917: After Finland gained independence, several versions of the flag were created, among which the modern design won.
Adoption of the modern flag
- In 1918, a blue cross on a white background was officially approved as the national flag. Its design was created by artists Eero Snellman and Bruno Tuukkainen, inspired by traditional Scandinavian flags.
Colors of the Finnish flag
Meaning of the flag colors
The Finnish flag has a deep symbolism that reflects the country’s cultural and natural wealth:
- Blue cross:
- Symbolizes Christian traditions and spirituality.
- It is associated with the numerous lakes that cover most of Finland’s territory.
- White background:
- It represents purity, light and snowy landscapes of Finland.
- It symbolizes peace, harmony and national unity.
Color codes.
The official colors of the Finnish flag are approved to accurately reflect its design:
- Blue:
- RGB: (0, 56, 168)
- HEX: #0038A8
- CMYK: (100, 67, 0, 34)
- Pantone: 294 C
- White:
- RGB: (255, 255, 255)
- HEX: #FFFFFF
- CMYK: (0, 0, 0, 0)
- Pantone: White
Format and proportions
The Finnish flag has a traditional Scandinavian design with a cross shifted to the hoist.
Flag proportions
The official proportions of the flag are 11:18, which means that the length of the flag is 1.64 times its height.
Design features
- The cross is shifted to the left, as in most Scandinavian flags.
- The ratio of the cross width to the flag height is 4:11.
Interesting facts about the flag of Finland
- Scandinavian cross: The flag of Finland belongs to the group of Scandinavian flags with a cross used by Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland.
- Flag Day: Every year, Finland celebrates the Finnish Flag Day on the first Saturday of June.
- Original design: The first versions of the flag featured the Finnish coat of arms, but it was replaced by a simpler and more recognizable design with a blue cross.
The flag of Finland is a symbol of its natural beauty, independence and spiritual heritage. Its simple but striking design embodies the country’s unique identity and its desire for peace and harmony. Today, it proudly flies in Finland and represents it on the international stage.