Flag of Finland

Flag origins

Finland’s flag has a blue Nordic cross on white. Following independence from Russia in 1917, the flag underlying today’s design was formally established on May 29, 1918. The current law also specifies a blue cross on white. Blue is traditionally associated with Finland’s many lakes and white with winter snow. These associations predate the flag: writer and poet Zacharias Topelius described the blue of lakes and white of winter snow as Finnish colors in a poem published in 1863. The cross is offset toward the hoist, like Denmark’s and other Nordic flags.

Flag story

Red and gold were serious alternatives after independence because Finland’s historical coat of arms shows a golden lion on a red shield, a combination it still uses. Civil war broke out in 1918, and the socialist side was known as the Reds, giving red strong political associations. Blue and white, recalling Finnish nature, were ultimately selected for the flag established on May 29, 1918. Today the combination of countless lakes and snow is firmly associated with Finland.

Editorial notes and references

Edited by ABELHA WORKS. The English text translates the administrator-edited Japanese description. Legends should be distinguished from documented history. General reference links do not substantiate every statement in the text.

• Finland — general information on Wikipedia
• Japan MOFA: countries and regions (Japanese)

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