Flag of Denmark (Dannebrog)

Flag of Denmark (Dannebrog)

Construction sheet: Flag of Denmark (Dannebrog)
Construction sheet

Description

  • A white Nordic cross on a red field, the oldest continuously used national flag in the world
  • Legend holds it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lindanise in 1219
  • Construction: a red field with a white Scandinavian cross
  • The vertical arm of the cross is offset toward the hoist
  • The cross arms are 1/7 of the flag's height in width
  • Official ratio is 28:37

Trivia

  • The Dannebrog, dating to 1219, is considered the oldest continuously used national flag in the world
  • The white cross represents Christianity; the red represents Danish courage
  • Legend says it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse in Estonia, a religious miracle

Flag of Denmark

The Dannebrog, meaning "cloth of the Danes," holds the record as the oldest continuously used national flag. According to legend, the flag fell from heaven in 1219 during King Valdemar II's battle near Tallinn, Estonia. The red field with white Nordic cross represents Christianity.

Red symbolizes bravery and strength, while white represents peace and honesty. For centuries a royal privilege, the flag became popular after the 1848 First Schleswig War when Danish soldiers returned home to find red-and-white flags adorning private residences. June 15 is celebrated as Valdemar's Day, commemorating the legendary divine gift and the flag's enduring role in Danish cultural identity.

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  "ns": "denmark",
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  "id": "denmark",
  "index": "c/denmark",
  "title": "Flag of Denmark (Dannebrog)",
  "ratio": "28:37",
  "use": {
    "as": "national flag",
    "since": "1219"
  },
  "colors": [
    {
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      "hex": "#C8102E",
      "cmyk": "0/100/100/0",
      "note": "Represents battle and the blood of the Danish people",
      "pantone": "186 C"
    },
    {
      "color": "white",
      "hex": "#FFFFFF",
      "cmyk": "0/0/0/0",
      "note": "Represents the cross of Christianity, peace, and unity"
    }
  ],
  "desc": "- A white Nordic cross on a red field, the oldest continuously used national flag in the world\n - Legend holds it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lindanise in 1219\n - **Construction:** a red field with a white Scandinavian cross\n - The vertical arm of the cross is offset toward the hoist\n - The cross arms are 1/7 of the flag's height in width\n - Official ratio is 28:37",
  "article": "denmark/flag.md",
  "subtitle": "Dannebrog — oldest national flag in continuous use (since 1219)",
  "of": {
    "country": "denmark"
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  "countryData": {
    "name": "Denmark",
    "officialName": "Kingdom of Denmark",
    "un": "member"
  },
  "cs": "denmark/flag.cs.svg",
  "trivia": "- The Dannebrog, dating to 1219, is considered the oldest continuously used national flag in the world\n - The white cross represents Christianity; the red represents Danish courage\n - Legend says it fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse in Estonia, a religious miracle",
  "flag": "denmark/flag.svg",
  "_name": "Denmark",
  "_namespace": "denmark",
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}
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