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The Norwegian Flag
| 1814 | Norway has its own constitution and a flag is discussed in the Government. |
| 1821 | The Government puts together a flag comity and approves the Norwegian flag as we know it today. The colours are the three colours of liberty and it made Norway equal to other free nations. But the flag could not wave freely. |
| 1844 | The flag “Sildesalaten” is born. This flag is a mixture between the Norwegian and the Swedish flag and was used as naval- and merchant flag. The upper left corner had the Swedish colours. |
| 1898 | The merchant flag became now the real Norwegian flag. |
| 1905 | The 7.june, the union between Norway and Sweden was dissolved and from that day both the merchant and the naval flag were pure Norwegian flags. |
| 1941 | Under the German occupation, restrictions were made for flagging and a restrictive flag low was put in function that only allowed flags on a flagstaff. It was forbidden to celebrate the 17. may (Norwegian national day) and carry the flag or its colours. |
| 1945 | The 8.mai liberations day- the flag becomes a central and loved symbol on liberty and independence. |
National anthem: Ja, vi elsker dette landet (Yes, we love this country)
The second world war and Norwegian sport has both influenced the strong symbol witch is the Norwegian flag. Norwegian sport uses and honours the flag over the whole world and in all media.
The Norwegian flag is "Norge vårt land" (Norway our Country), our historical heritage and under war it was the active resistance symbol. Quisling - Government didn't allow to flag otherwise than what the law allowed. Today everybody can rise the flag when ever it suites them.
THE SIZE OF THE FLAG
AND
HOW DO WE HOIST THE NORWEGIAN FLAG?
The length of the flag must be 1/3 of the
flagstaff, while the streamer/pennant can be a little longer
The colours of the flag is to be bright red with a dark blue cross inn it with straight angles. The blue cross is to have a white frame around it. The flag must have these measures 16 to 22:
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6 1 2 1 12 |
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The to squares has to be quadrate and each of them
must be 6/16 of the flags with and 6/22 of the flags length. The two other
squares have to be as wide as the two first and 12/22 of the flags length.
The with of the blue cross has to be 2/16 of the flags with and 2/22 of the
flags length. The white frame around the blue cross has to be 1/16 of the flag
with and 1/22 of the flags length.
When you want to rise the flag on a flagstaff, it is risen "steady and firm" and the line is hold tightly when you rise and lower the flag. The flag must never touch the ground. Flagging while you art on your cottage is good custom and you use the same rules as when you flag at home.
The balcony flagstaff are to be used as a normal flagstaff. Some balcony flags have lines can be flagged on half staff when mourning. The flag must only be used on a car the 1. may and 17. may. It must be well fastened to the car bonnet.
The flag must be taken care of so its not wrinkle and shabby when it is to be used. It must not be faded and it is to be mended when broken. If the flag is in a such condition that is must be thrown away, there are to ways of doing it. Either to burn it or to unstitch the flag and separate the colours so it can not be dishonoured later.
WHEN SHAL
WE HOIST AND LOWER THE FLAG
In the bright
period of the year:
From march - october, the flag hoist
at 8 a.m. and should be lowered at sunset or latest at 9 p.m.
In the dark period of the year:
from november - february, the flag hoists at 9 a.m. and should be lowered at
sunset or latest at 9 p.m.
The county of Nordland, Troms og Finnmark have their own rules for hoisting and lowering the flag. From november - february, the flag hoist at 10 a.m. and lowered at 3.p.m.
PRIVAT FLAGGING
If you have a flagstaff, you should flag on all private and public flagging
days. It is also normal to flag on the UN day the 24. October. Some chose to
flag on Good Friday, even if this is not usual.
For private peoples use of the flag there are rules of conduct while for the military and the government there are specific rules. The rules of conduct are much alike the public specific rules for flagging. Many private people are not very occupied about the flag rules even if they care a lot about the Norwegian flag and want to use it.
People can rise the flag for every opportunity they find important. If they have won in lottery, for their own birthday, for a football victory or for a child's birth. Private persons are not bound to the official flagging hours, but If you have a flagstaff, it is better to flag one hour earlier and take it down one hour later, than not to flag. Even though there is free use of the flag, it is good custom to follow the main public rules for flagging.
OFFICIAL FLAG DAYS
(pr 1.7.2003)
From all public buildings and properties there is an order to flag on all
official flag days. Private persons may self chose to flag on these days.
| 1. | JANUARY | 1. New years day |
| 21. | JANUARY | H.K.H. Prinses Ingrid Alexandra |
| 6. | FEBRUARY | Samie peoples day |
| 21. | FEBRUARY | H.M. King Harald V |
| 1. | EASTERS DAY | Public Holydag |
| 1. | MAY | Public holyday |
| 8. | MAY | Liberty day 1945 |
| 17. | MAY | National day/Constitution day |
| 1. | WHITSUN | |
| 7. | JUNE | Union dissolution in 1905 |
| 4. | JULY | H.M. Queen Sonja |
| 20. | JULY | H.K.H. Crown prince Haakon Magnus |
| 29. | JULY | Olsok |
| 19. | AUGUST | H.K.H. Crown princess Mette-Marit |
| 24. | OCTOBER | UN day |
| 25. | DECEMBER | 1. Christmas day |
You should also flag on election days or when the Government has decided you must flag. When King Olav V lived, his birthday was the 2. July, an official flagging day. In Norway we have no tradition to flag for dead kings and royal family members. Private persons may flag these days if they chose to.
SUMMER AND WINTER
In summer, from Marts to October, the flag is risen 8.00 am and
taken down at sunset, but never later than 21.00 pm. In winter, from November to
February, the flag is not risen before 9.00 am.
FUNERALS
When morning for a dead person, the flag must be risen to the top
first before lowed to 1/3 from the top of the flagstaff. After the burial, the
flag must be risen to the top, when the church bells have ringed.
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