Flag of Finland facts for kids
The Flag of Finland is the official flag of the European country, Finland. It is a white flag with a blue Nordic cross. This cross design is common in many Nordic countries. The flag is a very important symbol for the Finnish people and represents their history and values.
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What Do the Colors Mean?
The colors of the Finnish flag are very meaningful.
- White represents the snow that covers Finland in winter. It also stands for purity and innocence.
- Blue represents the many lakes and the clear sky of Finland. Finland is known as the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," so blue is a very fitting color.
The Nordic Cross: A Special Design
The cross on the Finnish flag is called a Nordic Cross. This design is used on the flags of many countries in Northern Europe. These countries include Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. The cross is placed off-center, closer to the flagpole. This design shows the strong connection Finland has with its Nordic neighbors.
History of the Finnish Flag
The current design of the Finnish flag was officially adopted on May 29, 1918. This was shortly after Finland gained its independence from Russia in 1917. Before this, Finland had been part of Russia for over 100 years.
Early Flag Ideas
Before 1918, Finland did not have its own official national flag. People used different flags, including the Russian flag. As Finland moved towards independence, many ideas for a national flag were suggested.
- Some early designs featured the Finnish coat of arms, which has a lion.
- Others used different color combinations, but blue and white became popular.
Why This Design Was Chosen
The blue and white Nordic Cross design was chosen for several reasons. It was simple, clear, and represented Finland's nature. It also showed Finland's place among the Nordic countries. The design was created by artists Eero Snellman and Bruno Tuukkanen.
How the Flag is Used
The Finnish flag is used in different ways depending on who is flying it.
- National Flag: This is the flag used by ordinary citizens and private organizations. It has the blue Nordic cross on a white background.
- State Flag: This flag is used by government offices and official bodies. It looks like the national flag but has the Finnish coat of arms in the center of the cross.
- Presidential Standard: The President of Finland has a special flag. It is the state flag with a blue and yellow cross in the upper left corner. This cross has the Cross of Liberty.
Flag Days in Finland
Finland has special days when flags are flown across the country. These are called flag days. On these days, everyone is encouraged to fly the flag.
- Some flag days are official holidays, like Independence Day on December 6.
- Other flag days celebrate important people or events. For example, the birthday of the national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg is a flag day.
- There are also days when the flag is flown at half-mast, like on days of national mourning.
Images for kids
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Former flag of Nyländska Jaktklubben (1861–1919), on display at the Maritime Museum of Finland in Kotka.
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The headquarters of the Finnish Government on Senate Square, Helsinki, seen flying the State flag.
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The Finnish presidential standard at the Presidential Palace, Helsinki.
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Flag at the Finnish embassy, Canberra.
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Proposed flags of Finland 1862–1918, compiled by Olof Eriksson.
See also
In Spanish: Bandera de Finlandia para niños
