Flag of Norway
Norwegian flag
- Official approval of the flag: 1821 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 • red
- Emblem on the flag: Without emblem
Norway is located in Northern Europe in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, bordering Sweden, Finland and Russia. The capital is Oslo. The country has an area of 385,207 km² and a population of about 5.4 million people. The official language is Norwegian, which has two official variants – Bukmål and Nynøshk, and the Sami language is also used. Norway is a constitutional monarchy and has one of the highest living standards in the world. The main ethnic group is Norwegians, with small communities of Sami, Swedes and Danes.
Norway’s flag is one of the most recognizable among the Scandinavian countries. Its design with a red background and a white and blue cross reflects the country’s rich historical heritage as well as its connection to Christianity. The flag symbolizes Norway’s unity, independence and national pride.
History of the Norwegian flag
The history of the Norwegian flag dates back to the Middle Ages, when Norway used cross symbols in its heraldry.
The origin of the flag
- XIII century: At this time, Norway used flags depicting a golden lion on a red background. It was a royal coat of arms that symbolized the power and strength of the monarchy.
- 1814: After the dissolution of the union with Denmark and the union with Sweden, Norway used a common flag with Swedish symbols.
- 1821: The modern flag design was created by Fredrik Melzer. The red background with a white and blue cross reflected the influence of Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (addition of blue).
Adoption of the flag
- In 1821, the flag was approved as the official national symbol of Norway. It became a symbol of independence and national pride.
- After the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905, the flag was used unchanged and became a symbol of sovereign Norway.
Colors of the flag of Norway
Meaning of the colors
The design of the Norwegian flag is based on the Scandinavian cross, which symbolizes Christianity. The colors of the flag have multiple symbolic meanings:
- Red:
- Symbolizes courage, strength and blood shed for freedom.
- It comes from the ancient Danish flag.
- White:
- It represents peace, purity and justice.
- It is also part of Danish heraldry.
- Blue:
- Symbolizes devotion, loyalty and freedom.
- This color adds a connection to Sweden.
Color codes
The following colors are officially approved for accurate representation of the Norwegian flag:
- Red:
- RGB: (186, 12, 47)
- HEX: #BA0C2F
- CMYK: (0, 93, 75, 27)
- Pantone: 200 C
- White:
- RGB: (255, 255, 255)
- HEX: #FFFFFF
- CMYK: (0, 0, 0, 0)
- Pantone: White
- Blue:
- RGB: (0, 32, 91)
- HEX: #00205B
- CMYK: (100, 68, 0, 54)
- Pantone: 281 C
Format and proportions
The flag of Norway has a traditional Scandinavian design with a horizontal cross offset to the hoist.
Flag proportions
The official proportions of the flag are 22:16, which means that the length of the flag is 1.375 times its height.
Design features
- The cross is shifted to the left to the pole, as on other Scandinavian flags.
- The inner stripes of the cross (blue) are twice as narrow as the outer white stripes.
Interesting facts about the flag of Norway
- The Norwegian flag is one of the oldest in the world among modern national flags using the Scandinavian cross.
- The flag of Norway is often associated with freedom and national identity, especially after gaining full independence in 1905.
- The Norwegian Flag and Constitution Day is celebrated on May 17 (Suttende Mai) and is one of the most important national holidays.
The Norwegian flag symbolizes Norway’s rich cultural heritage, national pride and commitment to Scandinavian traditions. Its simple yet elegant design emphasizes the country’s independence and importance on the international stage.