Civil Flag of the Kingdom of Norway (1899)

The Norwegian flag reflects the country’s historical links to Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. 

Norway was ruled by Denmark from the mid-15th century until 1814, when it was joined in a union with Sweden until 1905. 

The Norwegian flag, first adopted in 1821, is based on the Danish national flag, with a blue cross placed within the white cross of the Dannebrog. 

Dannebrog is the name for the Danish flag and literally means ‘Danish cloth’.

The flag initially had limited use as a maritime ensign until 1844, when Sweden directed Norway to fly the the Norway-Sweden union flag as their maritime ensign, which was the Swedish flag featuring a 'union canton'; the emblem of the union in the upper left corner. 

The Norwegian flag was also charged with an emblem representing the Norway-Sweden union from 1844 until 1898, when the Norwegian Parliament re-introduced the Norwegian flag, minus the Union Canton.

The current design of the flag dates from the 15th of December 1899.

A referendum held in Norway in 1905, voted overwhelmingly to end the country’s union with Sweden.

The Symbolic Meaning

The colours of the flag are believed to have been influenced by the flags of France, United States and Great Britain and are considered the colours of liberty and independence.

The cross, common to most Scandinavian flags, symbolises Norway’s hereditary link to other Scandinavian countries.