Sweden Flag / Swedish Flag

Sweden Flag / Swedish Flag

Sweden Flag

Sweden has been inhabited since around 6000 b.c., its most famous sons perhaps being the Vikings. It became a Christian monarchy during the 10th century and as result of a series of crusades from the 12th to the 14th centuries, Finland came under Sweden's rule. In 1397, the Danish-dominated Kalmar Union united the crowns of Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Danish rule was thrown off in 1523, however, during the reign of Gustavus I, the founder of the Vasa royal line which continued to rule until 1818, when Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, a French marshal, was elected crown prince, succeeding to the throne as Charles XIV. In 1809, Sweden lost Finland to Russia, but annexed Norway in 1814. The union between Sweden and Norway having been dissolved in 1905, the national Sweden flag, which had been used in similar form since the 16th century, was formally re-adopted in 1906.

The design of the Sweden flag is based on the Scandinavian cross - a cross whose upright arm is not set centrally, but closer to the hoist - which is common to the Norse nations. The distinctive colors of blue and yellow are believed to have been derived from the Swedish national coat of arms, which dates back to the 14th century and features three golden crowns on a blue field.