Colors and the Meaning of the Norway Flag
The Norwegian flag consists of a blue colored Scandinavian cross on the red ground, surrounded by a white strip on the left side of the flag.
The colors of the Norwegian flag are considered to be influenced by the flags of France, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and are considered the colors of freedom and independence. The cross is common to most Scandinavian flags and represents the country’s connection to other Scandinavian countries.
History of the Norway Flag
Norway was an independent country until 1380 when the country entered the union with Denmark. The Union lasted until 1814, and this period was a period in the history of Norway, usually called 400 years of night or dark centuries. Denmark-Norway was on the losing side in the Napoleonic Wars. On June 10, 1905, Norway won its independence from Sweden.
The oldest form of the Norwegian flag was as shown in Duchess Ingebjørg’s seal at 1318. This seal contained a golden lion with a silver ax on a red background. The lion was probably used as the coat of arms of Norway and, according to the Icelandic historian and epic writer Snorri Sturluson, this rigging dates back to King Håkon Håkonsson (1204 – 1263).
The lion was the symbol of the King both in the Bible and in the Middle East. To make the flag more special for Norway, the medieval kings placed a silver ax into the front paws of the lion. The ax symbolized the connection between the St. Olaf, who died of an ax in the Battle of Stiklestad, and the Norwegian government. The royal flag was sometimes used in castles and ships.
Dannebrog
In the 1600s, the Danish Dannebrog flag replaced the royal coat of arms flag. Dannebrog was the only famous Danish-Norwegian flag on merchant ships since 1748. After Norway’s break up from Denmark in 1814, Dannebrog was placed in the upper left area of the Norwegian lion. After the transfer of Norway to Sweden by the 12 January 1815 law, it was decided by the Norwegian Parliament that the trade flag (Dannebrog) should remain as it is. As a result, this flag was preserved until 1821.
In 1814, when Norway entered the union with Sweden, the Norwegian merchant ships in the Mediterranean were required to carry the Swedish merchant flag. The reason for this was the fear of the pirates and the demands of the Barbarian states for a bribery that Norway could not afford to cross Norwegian ships. The flag was the Swedish flag with a white cross crossed over a red background in the upper left area. Until 1838, this flag continued to be used on long-distance merchant ships.
Current Flag of Norway
After 1814, national sensitivity was further strengthened and Norway requested its own flag with its own Norwegian constitution. An official committee to evaluate all the proposals submitted was appointed and on 16 May 1821, the National Assembly recommended it. The proposal adopted by the National Assembly was a draft of Fredrik Meltzer, a businessman and politician from Bergen.
The flag is said to be the result of a child’s drawing (Meltzer’s son accidentally drew a blue ribbon on a white sheet of paper when he drew the Danish flag). But it was also known that the colors of red, white and blue represented the colors of freedom. Both the liberal states and the US and France, known as having new constitutions, chose these colors. The flag was a Norwegian merchant flag on short ships between July 13, 1821 and June 20, 1844, and on all ships after December 10, 1898.
After the independence of Norway, they wanted to use their own pure flag. But the sailors were against it. On December 10, 1898, after three attempts, the Flag Act was adopted. Since then, the pure Norwegian flag has been fluctuating in cities and ports, but it was still not found in the city walls and sea ships. The Norwegian flag, however, began to be used completely and in all areas on 10 June 1905, after the end of the union.
Neighboring Countries of Norway
Norway is a country in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, located in Northern Europe. The neighboring country of Finland, Sweden, and Russia has a coast to the Norwegian Sea, a branch of the Atlantic in the west.
Main Characteristics of Norway
Norway is a country that is in a very good condition in terms of living standards in addition to the magnificent view of the mountains, nature, and fjords. It is also the country where the highest number of books per person is purchased in the world. The capital is Oslo. It is one of the most expensive cities in the world. The official language, Norwegian, consists of two written languages called Bokmal and Nynorsk. Norwegian krona is used as currency.
Moist and temperate oceanic climate prevails. It is very cold in winter, especially from December to March.
The main source of Norwegian cuisine is fish. The most popular dishes are the salmon. Apart from fish meat, deer, lamb and duck meat are also consumed. Milky brown cheese is world famous.
| Country | Norway |
| Code | NO (NOR) |
| Calling Code | 47 |
| Capital City | Oslo |
| Currency | norwegian krone (NOK) |
| Emoji Symbol | 🇳🇴 |
| Highest Point | Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m) |
| Internet TLD | .no |
| Population(2017) | 5,353,714 (2018) |
| Total Area | 385,155 km2 |