Nordic Countries - National Symbols

National Symbols

All Nordic countries, including the autonomous territories of Faroe and Åland Islands, have a similar flag design, all based on the Dannebrog, the Danish flag. They display an off-center cross with the intersection closer to the hoist, the "Nordic cross". Greenland and the Sami people have adopted flags without the Nordic cross, but they both feature a circle which is placed off-center, similar to the cross.

Denmark

  • Flag of Denmark, "Dannebrog"

  • Coat of arms of Denmark

  • Mute Swan, the National Bird of Denmark

  • Ogier the Dane, H.P. Pedersen-Dan's statue of Holger Danske at Kronborg castle, Denmark

Faroe Islands

  • Flag of the Faroe Islands, "Merkið"

  • Coat of arms of the Faroe Islands

  • Eurasian Oystercatcher, the National Bird of the Faroe Islands

  • Students wearing the National Costume of Faroe Islands

Finland

  • Flag of Finland, "Siniristilippu"

  • Coat of arms of Finland

  • Brown Bear, the National Animal of Finland

  • The Maiden of Finland, "Suomen neito"

Greenland

  • Flag of Greenland, "Erfalasorput"

  • Coat of arms of Greenland

  • Polar Bear, the National Animal of Greenland

  • Children wearing the National Costume of Greenland

Iceland

  • Flag of Iceland

  • Coat of arms of Iceland

  • Falcon, the National Animal of Iceland

  • The Mountain Lady, Fjallkonan

Norway

  • Flag of Norway

  • Coat of arms of Norway

  • Elk (Moose), the National Animal of Norway

  • National costumes of Norway

The Sami People

  • Sami flag

  • Man wearing traditional Sami costume

  • Sámi drum with sun-moon symbol (upper left)

  • Copper carving (1767) by O.H. von Lode showing a Sami noaidi with his drum (meavrresgárri)

Sweden

  • Flag of Sweden

  • Coat of arms of Sweden, Three Crowns

  • Elk (Moose), the National Animal of Sweden

  • Mother Svea

Åland Islands

  • Flag of Åland

  • Coat of arms of Åland

  • Roe Deer, the National Animal of the Åland Islands

  • Reenactment of an 1800s farmer's wedding

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