Norway’s national flag is red with a dark blue Nordic cross outlined in white. The design dates from 1821 and combines colors associated with both Denmark and Sweden while using the Scandinavian cross tradition.
What does the Norwegian flag look like?
The flag has a red field crossed by a dark blue cross bordered in white. Like the flags of Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, the cross is shifted toward the hoist rather than centred.
History of the Norwegian flag
The present red-white-blue flag was introduced in 1821 while Norway was in a political union with Sweden. Later versions used a union mark in the canton. As Norwegian demands for greater independence grew, the “pure” Norwegian flag without the union emblem became increasingly important. The union mark disappeared from merchant use at the end of the nineteenth century, and after the union with Sweden was dissolved in 1905 the national flag stood alone.
Official proportions
Norwegian law defines the merchant flag as bright red with a dark blue cross separated from the red field by a white border. Its official width-to-length ratio is 16:22, with detailed measurements prescribed for the cross and fields.
Norway flag facts
- Colors: red, white and dark blue
- Design: Nordic cross
- Present design introduced: 1821
- Flag law: 1898
Sources
Primary references: Government of Norway — Norges flagg and Norwegian Flag Act.
