Norway Flag

Fredrik Meltzer chose a Christian cross, following the tradition of other Nordic countries (Denmark and Sweden). Red, white and blue were chosen to denote democracy on the Norwegian flag, as these colors were used in the flags of comparably democratic states (The Netherlands, United Kingdom, The United States, and France). Meltzer himself did not give any other reasons for the colors and design of the Norway flag. However many have later speculated that the design also refers to the red and white Danish flag, which had been Norway's flag as well until 1814 and that the blue cross was probably a reference to the blue of the Swedish flag.