Flag of Finland
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Image:Flag of Finland.svg Image:Flag of Finland (state).svg Image:Naval Ensign of Finland.svg
The flag of Finland, also called Siniristilippu (The Blue-Cross Flag), dates from the beginning of the 20th century, and is modelled on the Danish flag, the Dannebrog. It features a blue cross on a white background. Blue represents lakes and the sky, and white represents snow and the white nights of the Finnish summer. The state flag has a coat of arms in the centre, but is otherwise identical to the civil flag. The swallow-tailed state flag is used by the military. The presidential standard is identical to the swallow-tailed state flag but also has in its upper left corner the Cross of Liberty after The Order of the Cross of Liberty, which has the President of Finland as its Grand Master.
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History
The concept of a Finnish flag predates the blue-crossed design. Shortly after Finland gained independence in 1917, a competition was held for the design of the Finnish flag. Several different designs were submitted. Regarding the colours, the entries fell mainly into two categories - one using the red and yellow from the Finnish coat of arms, and the other using the famous blue and white.
One entry had the Dannebrog cross design, but with a yellow cross on a red background. Another entry had diagonal blue and white stripes, but it was said to fit better for a barber shop than a new independent country.
Legal definition
Size
Under Finnish law, the ratio of the flag is 11:18 (height:width). The swallow-tailed state flag is one unit longer and the tails are five units long. The cusp width of the blue cross is three units of measure. When flown from a flagpole, the flag is recommended to have a width equalling one sixth of the height of the pole.
Colours
PMS colour system: Blue 294C, Red 186C, Yellow 123C
CMYK tones:
- Blue C 100 %, M 56 %, Y 0 %, K 18,5 %
- Red C 0 %, M 91 %, Y 76 %, K 6 %
- Yellow C 0 %, M 30,5 %, Y 94 %, K 0 %
Red and yellow are used in the coat of arms that appears in the state flag; the PMS colours are specified in Government Decision 827/1993 (In Finnish).
Other rules
By Finnish law it is forbidden to deface the flag or to use it in a disrespectful way. It is also illegal to remove a flag from the pole without permission. Anyone who breaks these regulations may be fined for disgracing the flag.
Finnish law also forbids the use of the presidential standard or state flag without permission, as well as the addition of any extra symbols to the flag. One must not sell a flag which has different colours or geometry than defined by the law. These are considered violations of the flag regulations and can lead to a fine.
There are also common rules on how to treat the flag respectfully. The flag must not be dirty or damaged. The flag must never touch the ground. When the flag is washed, it must be dried indoors. A worn-out flag must be disposed of by burning, or alternatively by cutting it to pieces small enough not to be recognizable as parts of the flag. The flag must not be buried in the ground or the sea.
See also
External links
- Finland Ministry of the Interior: The Flag and Arms of Finland
- Template:FOTWbg:Национално знаме на Финландия
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