Why do Nordic countries have crosses on their flags?
Why do Nordic countries have crosses on their flags?
Many predominantly Christian states show a cross, symbolising Christianity, on their national flag. The so-called Scandinavian crosses or Nordic crosses on the flags of the Nordic countries–Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden–also represent Christianity. ^ Carol A. Foley (1996).
Why are all the Nordic flags similar?
The reason all Scandinavian flags use the Nordic cross as their flag is due to the countries in the region having very similar history and are closely related, with there having been a Danish Empire that consisted of (at its height) Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Greenland, most of …
How many countries have the Nordic cross?
three Scandinavian countries
The Nordic cross features on the flags of all three Scandinavian countries and their Nordic neighbours. A nation’s flag is such an evocative symbol. Its patterns and colours immediately evoke strong feelings in its citizens, and strong stereotypes in others.
Why is Sweden flag a cross?
The Nordic cross design traditionally represents Christianity. The design and colours of the Swedish flag are believed to have been inspired by the present coat of arms of Sweden of 1442, which is blue divided quarterly by a cross pattée of gold, and modelled on the Danish flag.
What does Iceland’s flag stand for?
Icelanders see them nowadays. To them, the white stands for the glaciers and snow, the blue for the mountains and the red for the island’s volcanoes. Originally though, the red was added to symbolize Christianity. The flag became the National flag when Iceland gained its independence from Denmark in 1918.
What flag has a cross?
Other countries that depict a cross on their flag are Burundi, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Greece, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Marshall Islands, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and Tonga.
Is England a Nordic country?
UK is not one of the five countries that is considered “The Nordics”. That is Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
What country is blue with red cross?
Flag of Iceland
| Use | Civil flag and ensign |
| Proportion | 18:25 |
| Adopted | 17 June 1944 |
| Design | A blue field with the white-edged red Nordic cross that extends to the edges; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side. In Blazon, “Azure, a cross gules fimbriated argent”. |
| Designed by | Matthías Þórðarson |
