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Norway - Fact Sheet


Civil/State Flag/Ensign Proportions: 8:11	War Flag/Ensign Proportions: 16:27
Civil Flag Construction Sheet

Description
Adoption Date and related information
State Arms
Flag Laws
Miscellaneous Information

Footnotes
Artistic Credits

See also:

Norway

Description:

The flag of Norway is a rectangular Scandinavian cross.¹. The cross is yellow against a blue field in the dimensions of 8:11. The State and War (military) flag and ensign are a tongued swallowtail version of the state flag with the proportions of 16:27.

Adoption Date and related information

Flag adopted 13 July 1821, coat of arms adopted circa 1280
Date of current legislation for flag: 10 December 1898; proclaimed 17 July 1898
Flag legislation published: 15 December 1898; effective date: 15 December 1899²

The act was gazetted on 15th of December 1898, and the flag was hoisted a year later. The act is still in force, and the flags described by it are still seen. According to the spelling reforms early this century ('purging' the most Danish words), the customs now has a flag with the word "Toll" on it.

The Norwegian flag did not originate with this act of 1898, but by a resolution by the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, in 1821. This was not sanctioned by the King, and a period of flag confusion started. As a merchant flag it could only be used on shorter distances, because of the threat from the pirates of North Africa. They did not recognize the flag, and having them do so would be too expensive for the young Norwegian state. On longer distances, therefore, the Swedish flag was used. From 1844 to 1898/99, the Norwegian flag was used, but with a Union mark in the upper hoist corner, consisting of the combined Norwegian and Swedish colours (the 'herring salad'). This was subject to great controversy and intense conflicts between Norwegian nationalists and unionists (and the Swedes). This was ended, for the merchant flag (that was what mattered most), by the Act quoted above. However, the state flag (flag for Government institutions/buildings and for the Navy and military installations) c