What is the history of the Norwegian Flag?

The Norwegian flag is one of the oldest flags in the world. It is also known as the mother of flags. In this article, we will discuss its symbolic importance, its design, and other aspects of the Norwegian flag and culture. We will also discuss the importance and impacts of flags in general. And how people’s sentiments are attached to flags? And what a flag of a state tells to the other nations? There are so many stories and beautiful concepts attached to the flags and national anthems of the nation.

These things are symbolic of patriotism and the spirit of being a nation. Sentiments of dozens of people are attached to the flags. It is a representation of a nation’s culture, values, and customs. Mostly it represents the religion of the state as well that is why it is a beloved flag. Flag color and flag design often represent culture or religion. A flag for protection is a flag of freedom for nations. There are different rituals of flag flying of two or more countries it is like a union symbol or a union mark. The national flag of every country is dear to every person of the nation.

Design Of Norwegian Flag

The colors and design of the flag of Norway are very simple yet elegant. It has no such symbol or meaning which tells any historical significance. Color combination is also very simple and common. It has a double-colored cross; a blue cross coated by a white cross. Two colors make it one of the distinct flags. The Color scheme is a little similar to the American flag; white, blue, and red. Danish flag has the same coloring but it doesn’t have a blue color. The Nordic cross is a tradition of several Nordic countries of the Nordic Flag Society.

What Is The History Of The Norwegian Flag?

In ancient time, flags were considered of great importance because it was a representation of kings in the battlefield. And after the war, it was used as a symbol of a conquered land. States with alliances used to have a common war flag. Norway flag is a very ancient flag. Many Vikings flew this Norway flag in joy after winning wars and conquering huge empires and land. It had a lion on it in old times. The color of a lion was Golden to show prosperity and it was holding an ax. This kind of flag design was used by leaders of Norway for centuries.

Rituals

It was a ritual to have a flag on the ship to show the identity to other people. Dutch flag book has an official record for Norway flag with golden lion and ax. For a long time, the Norway flag and Denmark flag were almost the same. When Norway and Denmark got separated. Norway was independent and got United with Sweden. Sweden’s flag was designed as the red theme with a white cross. So with the new alliance, Norway adopted this design of the common flag, and a red flag with the lion was adopted by Denmark alone. Fredrik Meltzer designed the current flag. The whole parliament passed this design but the king didn’t want it to be used in wars but he passed the design for citizens. But later on, it got approved to be a war flag under the constitution. North Africa also used the Norway flag because they didn’t one. Firstly, the Union flag or common war flag was used and pretty famous but later on only the Norway flag was approved by the parliament and people.

Symbolism

In 1821, when Norway and Sweden were using the union flag as a union mark for years, now Norway decided to design its flag. Flag discussions got started in Parliament.  Many people proposed their design, but the design by Fredrik Meltzer as a flag proposal got approved by two chambers of Parliament. He didn’t explain any symbolic details for the design and picked the same color scheme as the Danish flag to the states with whom Norway was once connected. He also used the freedom concept from the French flag and added white. Then he added the Nordic cross which was a ritual for Nordic countries. It is usually a symbolic representation of Christianity.

Rituals And Traditions

There are many rituals and traditions which are related to the Norway flag. Like flag hoisting on different special national occasions. It brings such patriotic enthusiasm to the whole environment along with the national anthem. Norwegian army has traditionally been named Flaggapell in which they hoist the flag. There are several other traditions and festivals which civilians and military forces celebrate with the Norway flag. While flag Hosting and lowering flag people often put their hands on their chest to show respect for the flag and love for the country.

They also standstill during the whole process it is one of the gestures to show respect. They turn toward the flagpole and stop all the activities people are doing at that time. And any official person like an army officer or policeman salutes the Norway flag to show respect. But people without uniforms standstill during the whole hoisting flag and lowering flag process. In any international ceremony, the flag is raised and it keeps flying even at night. The army is supposed to put light on it to represent freedom and Its presence. It represents that they would fight with enemies no matter it is daylight or night until victory. If a flag touches the ground it is considered as disrespect for the Norway flag.

Laws For The Norway Flag

Every state has laws according to what everything runs. There are also rules and regulations for the Norway flag according to different acts and flag institutes. In 1898, the design of the Norway flag was approved by Norwegian flag producers, and authority on the flag was decided. Following are a few rules and laws for the Norway flag:

• A flag can be used for different purposes and traditions as merchant flags and state flags like merchant ships, national holidays, schools, and borders. ports etc.
• In law, it is also mentioned that the flag must be hoisted at 8 am in March and onward till October. After October it will be hoisted at 9 am. Flags are remain hoisted till sunset.
• All rules and regulations are for official flag use. If a person or organization is using a flag privately, they have full freedom to hoist it and lower it according to their wish.
• Rules also tell how to properly fold the flag so that it will not touch the ground and not get disrespected. This is not only the ritual or value of Norway. Everywhere around the world people consider it disrespectful if a flag touches the ground. And it is even considered offensive if someone steps on the flag.
• It is also forbidden to wear the flag below the waist. The purpose is to keep the flag higher than ground and feet to keep decorum and its respect.
• It was not allowed to fly the flag on the top of the building until 1933. After that, a law was passed which allow municipal buildings to have flying flags on the rooftop.
• People are allowed to hoist different flags if there is a special event regarding it.
• Due to Covid-19 gatherings for flag hoisting is not allowed. It is a necessary measure to prevent the virus from spreading and affecting more people. Because only social distancing can keep everyone safe and sound.