A simple, but striking and memorable Danish flag is used by residents of the state designated by him everywhere. Not every country can boast of such patriotism. Even the story of his appearance is imbued with the deepest confidence of the Danes in the chosenness of their country and endless love for it. How long has their main state symbol appeared and how does it look in its modern form? How have the centuries since its inception influenced the appearance of the panel?
Modern flag of Denmark
The main state symbol not only looks, but is also called very succinctly: the official and universally used name - Dannebrog - in translation means “Danish cloth”. It looks like a rectangle of bright red fabric with an image of an inverted white cross placed on it. The aspect ratio of the banner in the modern version is strictly 28 to 37. Officially such a symbol was approved only in May 1893. Nevertheless, it is the national flag of Denmark that is the oldest of the existing ones, since it has been known since the end of the XIV century. Not a single European standard can boast such a long history. Now Dannebrog is very actively used by the Danes both in souvenirs for foreigners and in everyday life - on the occasion of any holiday the cities and their inhabitants are abundantly decorated with red and white panels.
The flag of Denmark, photographs and images of which can be found on any household item, is also used by museums, administrative
buildings, community centers, showing Dannebrog on the facade constantly. Despite the fact that various variations of the Scandinavian cross are used by all neighboring countries - from Iceland to Finland - the Danes are more than sure that their flag is unique.
History of occurrence
The flag of Denmark was first captured in the old arm of the Klaus Gelre, which was compiled from 1340 to 1370. Then the banner was depicted as an element of the coat of arms of the Danish monarch named Waldemar the Fourth Atterdag. The inverted cross used on the flag was also present in the royal seal. Another Danish king, Eric Pomeranian, used to print three lions with a Danish flag in their paws in the upper left square, and three crowns were depicted in the upper right corner. This number symbolizes the number of countries united in the Union of 1397. Denmark, whose flag and coat of arms became the main, then annexed Sweden and Norway. The use of three crowns, the appearance of which was determined during Margarita the First Danish, was the only change in the symbolism of the flag of the country. Since 1814, he regained his former appearance (due to the detachment of Norway). Then, Schleswig and Holstein were disconnected from the once great empire. The power of the country decreased, but the love for it increased in the hearts of its inhabitants. Since then, the flag of Denmark has kept its general appearance completely unchanged and looks the same as in the Middle Ages.
Variable proportions
The main amendments made by the rulers to the appearance of the panel concerned its proportions. So, in 1748, the ratio of width and length was 14 to 17, and the width of the white cross on the flag was one seventh of its height. On the left side, the red fields were square, and the right fields were rectangular. The Ministry of the Interior in 1893 considered it necessary to extend the flag, from that moment the right margins were enlarged. In 1926, the government introduced the latest changes, which have remained in force to this day. The width of the flag corresponds to a length of 28 s 37, the width of the white cross refers to the width of the cloth as 4 to 24. The left red parts, as in ancient times, should form squares.
Legend of the appearance
According to legend, the national flag of Denmark appeared by the will of heaven. In 1219, Waldemar II went to Estonia to help the German colonists. Estonians suddenly attacked, the Danes had to retreat under their onslaught. According to legend, at that moment bishops accompanying the soldiers rose to a hill near the battle line, who began to ask the Lord for help. And he answered immediately. The clouds opened and a red canvas fell from heaven with a white cross on it. There is also a version according to which it fell into the hands of Archbishop Andreas Sunesen at a time when the Estonians captured the Danish standard of the king. Finally, there is a third version. The canvas didn’t descend from the sky, just the Danish king saw a white cross on the eve of the battle in the red sunset sky and considered it a sign of God. One way or another, the fighting spirit of the Danes raised this or that divine sign, which is why they won a brilliant victory. In addition, the era of true Danish power began with the very battle in Estonia - a red-and-white flag flew over the English, Scandinavian and even Indian lands. Since then, June 15 has always been celebrated as National Flag Day. And in the garden of the Danish king in Tallinn, there is a holiday staging the events of the very day when the red-white symbol was found. The knight in the armor of that era points to the place where the legendary flag bestowed by the Lord God himself fell from heaven.
Interesting Facts
There is no country in Europe that has as many national flags as in Denmark. They decorated houses, government offices, kindergartens, schools and universities, city parks and hotels. In addition, official symbols are depicted on decorative pillows and decorations for the Christmas tree, sewn onto clothing and printed on postcards. To meet a loved one from overseas vacation, the Dane can go with a flag, and no one will be surprised - this is
in the order of things. If the banner adorns the street near the house, it means that there is a birthday celebration inside. Even vegetables in the market are decorated with tiny flags - this is how the Danes mark products produced by local farmers. Thousands of crowns are earned annually on these simple products. It’s easy to explain such pride and patriotism. Despite the highest taxes, residents live extremely stable and confident. The economic model in Denmark is very efficient, so the old Dannebrog flutters over a truly happy country.