Finland Flag

The Republic of Finland is located in Northern Europe bordering the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea, and Gulf of Bosnia, between Russia and Sweden. The capital and largest city in Finland is Helsinki and their official languages are Finnish and Swedish.

The Finland national flag dates back to the early twentieth century and is often referred to as the Blue Cross Flag because the Finland flags background is white with a blue cross. Centered on the white background is the horizontal blue stripe, while the blue vertical strip is off-center towards the hoist or left side of the flag of Finland. They modeled the Finland flag after the Dannebrog, which is a Danish flag. The blue on a large flag of Finland symbolizes the sky and lakes. The Finland flag color white stands for the Finnish summer white nights and snow.

The state flag of Finland, which the government uses, is the same as their civil flag except for the Finnish coat of arms in the centre of the blue cross state flag. The military flag used by Finland’s defense forces is identical to the state flag except it is swallow-tailed. The presidential Finland flag is the same as the military flag except the Cross of Liberty sits in the upper corner on the hoist side of the flag.

In 1917, shortly after Finland’s independence, they held a competition looking for a design for a new Finland flag. Of the many Finland flag designs submitted, most of the colors on these entries fell into two main categories. The first category was the Finnish coat of arms red and yellow. The second category was using the present Finland flags colors of blue and white.

There are certain rules and laws regarding the Finland national flag. It is against the law to use the Finland flag disrespectfully or deface Finland flags in any way. You also must have approval to remove a flag of Finland from the flagpole. The government can fine anyone that chooses to disregard these laws. Finland laws forbid anyone to use the state Finland flag or the presidential standard without permission. You cannot add additional symbols to the Finland flag. The do not allow the sale of any Finland flags with different geometry or colors other than those defined legally by Finland. Violating any of these flag of Finland laws could result in a fine.