Flag of Norway

Flag origins

Norway's flag is red with a white-bordered dark-blue Nordic cross. Proposed by parliamentarian Fredrik Meltzer and adopted in 1821, it emerged while Norway was in union with Sweden after leaving its Danish union in 1814. Meltzer regarded red, white and blue as colors of freedom, used by several other states. The red field and white cross recall Denmark, with blue providing a distinct Norwegian element.

Flag story

Meltzer also offered a practical advantage: an existing Danish flag could be cut and altered by sewing blue cloth into the white cross. The proposal considered reuse and cost, not only symbolism. Parliament examined eighteen designs before selecting the now-familiar one.

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.

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

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