CIRCA - 1821 🇳🇴 - a blue Nordic cross, embedded in white cross, both off-set to the hoist-side & extending to the edges of a red field
HISTORY: Adopted in 1821, the Norges flagg has elements of Sweden's flag🔍 (with whom they'd just entered into union)
plus that of .the Danish Dannebrog🔍(from whom they had recently gained independence.)
[In 1844, when Norway re-partnered with Sweden, until the dissolution of the union in 1907, a hoist-side canton was
introduced to both countries flags; combining Sweden's yellow cross ╋━ with Norway's blue🔍 & red - symbolizing
parity between the kingdoms.]
[The state variation is swallow-tailed ꔪ ]
VEXILLOLOGY:* A symbol of national unity & independence the colors reflect historical ties
more than ideological connotations;
The RED FIELD & WHITE fimbriation are taken directly from Denmark (though some also associate the white with purity, honesty & the Norwegian character.) along with...
The OFF-SET CROSS ╋━ ; a Nordic symbol, dating back to medieval Scandinavian🔍 banners, first prominent in Denmark and later used by all major Nordic flags such as Iceland's🔍 (an inverse of the Norwegian flag) & Finland's🔍.
(Associated with Norse Christianization in the Viking Age, it originally symbolized faith & divine protection in battle, but is no longer intended to be exclusively religious)
It's BLUE HUE is specifically in reference to Norway's (then contemporary) union with Sweden, (who's flag was a darker shade in the 19c than the sky blue of today)
The Red, White & Blue palette was also an intentional nod to the flags of liberty-advocating nations, including France🔍, the United States🔍, the Netherlands🔍, & Great Britain's 🇬🇧 Union Jack🔍