CIRCA - ~1562 🇸🇪 - a yellow Nordic cross that extends to the edges of a field of blue
HISTORY: Originating in 16c, swallow-tailed ꔪ naval ensigns, (& adopted as the state flag in the 17c,) the standard was likely
inspired by the Danish Flag🔍, only substituting the red-white for Sweden's traditional blue🔍 & yellow, (taken from the
heraldic palette of Sweden's ⛨ coat of arms; 3 gold 👑 crowns on an azure ⛊ shield; dating to the 13c-14c)
Over the centuries there were multiple variations, some included red-white cantons (and once a full
flag overlay) plus a shift, when the modern flag was adopted, to a lighter blue hue in 1906.
VEXILLOLOGY:* Representing regal (once Christian) sovereignty, more than post-hoc naturalistic interpretations (that
link blue = skies & waters + yellow = sunlit fields or prosperity), historically;
The OFF-SET CROSS ╋━ is a Nordic symbol, dating back to medieval banners, first prominent in Denmark and then used by other Nordic countries like Iceland🔍, as well as all major Scandinavian🔍 flags such Norway's🔍 & Finland's🔍
(Associated with the Christianization of the Norse in the Viking Age, it originally symbolizing faith & divine protection in battle, but no longer intended to be exclusively religious)
The AZURE BLUE FIELD symbolizes sovereignty & unity among historical provinces. The color has been used in Swedish heraldry since the time of Magnus III; traditionally it signifies loyalty, truth & justice, evoking steadfastness in governance & vigilance, generosity, constancy & noble elevation of purpose