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The flag is a typical Scandinavian cross flag and shows a red cross with a blue border on a white background. The white colour is intended to symbolise the foam of the sea and the radiant sky, while the red and blue indicate the connection to the other Nordic countries.
A tradition recorded in the 16th century traces the origin of the flag to the campaigns of Valdemar II of Denmark (r. 1202–1241). The oldest of them is in Christiern Pedersen's "Danske Krønike", which is a sequel to Saxo's Gesta Danorum, written 1520–23. Here, the flag falls from the sky during one of Valdemar's military campaigns overseas.
- 15 June 1219; 804 years ago (Dannebrog legend), 1625; 398 years ago (recognised as national flag)
- 7:17 national, 56:107 royal
- A white Nordic cross with a red background
Jan 12, 2023 · Red flag with white cross. The Danish flag features a white cross and red body. It is the longest continuously-used national flag and was officially adopted in 1854, after having been the merchant ensign flag since 1748 and unofficially used around the country since the 14th century.
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The legend was first mentioned by historians in the early 16th century. Since 1913, the flag – and the legend of its origin – is celebrated annually on June 15, which is named Valdemar’s Day after the late king. That day, as on many other days, the flag is raised across the country.
The flag of Denmark, otherwise known as the Dannebrog, has a bright red background and a white Scandinavian cross. The Scandinavian or Nordic cross appears all over the Scandinavian map, as well as in regions elsewhere in the world too.
The Danish flag has not always been Danish. During the European Crusades from the 11th to the 13th centuries, a red flag with a white cross, not related to Denmark, was often used. It became the flag of Denmark around the middle of the 14th century, making it one of the oldest national flags in the world in continuous use.
The national flag of Denmark is called the Dannebrog. Legend has it that the Dannebrog fell from the sky in Estonia on 15 June 1219. Dannebrog means “Danish cloth” or “well made material”. It consists of a white cross on a red background. The Danes were the first to adopt the cross design, which now features on all of the Nordic flags.
