Finland’s national flag is white with a blue Nordic cross. It was made official in 1918, only months after Finland declared independence from Russia.
What does the Finnish flag look like?
The civil flag has a white field with a blue cross extending to the edges and shifted toward the hoist. A state version adds Finland’s coat of arms at the centre of the cross.
What do blue and white represent?
The familiar interpretation links blue with Finland’s lakes and white with winter snow. The phrase was popularised in the nineteenth century by writer and historian Zacharias Topelius, well before independence.
History of the Finnish flag
Finland declared independence in December 1917. In the following months several possible flag designs were debated. Parliament adopted the blue-cross-on-white design, and the flag became official by law on May 29, 1918. Its Scandinavian cross format visually connects Finland with the wider Nordic region.
Finland flag facts
- Colors: blue and white
- Design: Nordic cross
- Official since: May 29, 1918
- National and state versions: both in official use
Source
Primary reference: ThisisFINLAND — The Finnish flag.
