List of flags of Sweden

Last updated

The following is a list of flags of Sweden .

National flag and state flag

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Sweden.svg 1906–presentCivil and state flag and ensignA blue field with a gold Nordic Cross

Royal standards

FlagDateUseDescription
Personal command-sign of the King of Sweden.svg 1943–presentPersonal Command Sign of H.M. the King of Sweden (used on land).The greater Coat of arms of Sweden, which is blue divided quarterly by a cross pattée of gold
Royal standard of Sweden.svg 1905–presentRoyal standard of Sweden, used by H.M. The King of Sweden and H.M. The Queen of SwedenRoyal flag with the greater national coat of arms
Royal Pennant of Sweden.svg Royal pennant of Sweden, used by H.M. The King of Sweden above the royal flag on naval shipsSplit pennant with the greater national coat of arms
Sweden-Royal-flag-lesser-coa.svg Used by other members of the Royal HouseRoyal flag with the lesser national coat of arms (surrounded by the insignias of the Order of the Seraphim)
Used by the heir apparent above the royal flag on naval shipsSplit pennant with the lesser national coat of arms
Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg Used by the Regent ad interim, when he is a non-royalSame as the Military ensign
Royal Standard of Sweden (1844-1905).svg 1844–1905Royal Standard of the King
Royal Standard of Sweden and Norway (1815-1844).svg 1815–1844Royal Standard with the Swedish Royal ArmsNaval ensign of the Union with square canton

Military flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg 1905–present Military War flag and ensign of Sweden. Also used as a naval jack.

Flags of the Navy

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Amiralsflagga.svg 1972–presentRank Flag of Admirals.The naval ensign with four white stars in the upper hoist corner. Before 1972 the flag bore three stars (like the present flag of a Vice Admiral)
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Viceamiralsflagga.svg Rank Flag of Vice Admirals.The naval ensign with three white stars in the upper hoist corner. Before 1972 the flag bore two stars (like the present flag of a Rear Admiral)
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Konteramiralsflagga.svg Rank Flag of Rear Admirals.The naval ensign with two white stars in the upper hoist corner. Before 1972 the flag bore one star (like the present flag of a Flotilla Admiral)
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Flottiljamiralsflagga.svg 2001–presentRank Flag of Flotilla Admirals.The naval ensign with one white star in the upper hoist corner.
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Orlogsstandert.svg Broad pennant of Commodores.Horizontally divided (1:1) forked broad pennant (5:8).
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Orlogsvimpel.svg Pennant of Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders.
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Orlogsgaljadet.svg Burgee of Captains, Lieutenants and Ensigns.Vertically divided (1:1) triangular ensign (5:8).
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Avdelningschef.svg Pennant of the Fleet Commander.
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Flottiljchef.svg Pennant of the Flotilla Commander.
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Divisionschef.svg Pennant of the Division Commander.
Naval Rank Flag of Sweden - Aldste chef.svg Pennant of the Senior Commander Afloat.

Historical flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Sweden (pre-1906).svg November 1905–June 1906National flag and civil ensignUnion badge removed
Swedish norwegian union flag.svg 1844–1905National flag and civil ensignUnion badge in the upper hoist corner
Naval Ensign of Sweden (1844-1905).svg State flag and military ensignUnion badge in the upper hoist corner
Flag of Sweden (1897-1905) (alternative).svg 1897–1905Alternate State flagState flag to be used on state ships and at government buildings that did not fly the military ensign. Prior to 1897, used by private ships serving the Swedish Royal mail.
Jack of Sweden and Norway (1844-1905).svg 1844–1905Naval jack and diplomatic flagThe Union badge: a cross bearing the colours of both Sweden and Norway.
Svensk flagg 1815.svg –1844Civil ensignSimilar to the present national flag (slightly different colors and proportions occurred)
Swedish and Norwegian merchant flag 1818-1844.svg 1818–1844Union civil ensign ("distant waters")White saltire on red in the upper hoist corner. The canton in red and white represented Norway. The ensign was introduced on 26 October 1818, for use in "distant waters", i.e. beyond Cape Finisterre in North-West Spain, as an alternative to the standard Swedish civil ensign which could also be used by Norwegian ships if they wished. By Royal resolution of 17 July 1821, the saltire flag was ordered as the only Norwegian and Swedish civil ensign in "distant waters".
Swedish and Norwegian naval ensign (1815-1844).svg 1815–1844State flag and military ensignWhite saltire on red in the upper hoist corner. The canton in red and white represented Norway.
Flag of Sweden (1818-1844) (alternative).svg 1838–1844Alternate state flagUsed by private ships serving the Swedish Royal mail.
Sweden-1761-army-fleet.svg 1761–1813Military ensign of the Archipelago fleet An all blue triple-tailed flag to be used by the Arméns flotta.
Flag of the Swedish Empire.svg mid-17th century–1815State flag and war ensignSimilar to the present military ensign (slightly different colors and proportions occurred)
Flag of Sweden (1562-1650).svg c. 1520s – c. 1620State flag and war ensignSwallow-tailed flag (slightly different colors and proportions occurred)
Royal Banner of Sweden (14th Century).svg 14th CenturyRoyal Banner of Arms of The House of Bjälbo 4 horizontal blue stripes and 3 white stripes with a lion in the center and 56 hearts distributed on each blue stripe.

Regional flags

FlagStatusUseDescription
Skanska flaggan.svg Semi-official [1] The traditional province of Skåne (Scania)
Skane lan vapenflagga.svg Official Skåne County (Scania)Also a similar flag exists with blue background for Scania region
Unofficial Flag of Jamtland.svg UnofficialThe county of Jämtland Jamtland (that belonged to Norway until 1645) has its own movement for the Republic of Jamtland – not a serious attempt for independence but more a touch of humor and local culture. The flag however is used in the area.
Jamtlands lan vapenflagga.svg Official Jämtland County Compare unofficial above. Jämtland modern county includes the two traditional provinces Jämtland and Härjedalen.
Flag of Smaland.svg UnofficialThe traditional province of Småland Småland is a relatively large traditional province in the south of Sweden that today is divided in 3 administrative counties and also with 2 smaller areas outside these 3 counties.
Kronobergs lan vapenflagga.svg Official Kronoberg County Part of historical province of Småland (see above)
Jonkopings lan vapenflagga.svg Jönköping County
Kalmar lan vapenflagga.svg Kalmar County Part of historical province of Småland (see above) and the island province Öland (see below).
Flag of Oland.svg UnofficialThe historical province and island Öland outside Småland in the Baltic Sea Öland (Swedish means "The Island Land") has a long history and different nature compared to the main land of Sweden. Öland is the second largest island in Sweden.
Flag of Ostergotland.svg The traditional province Östergötland The blue cross relates to the two main channels and the yellow to agricultural flat areas. Not much in use.
Ostergotlands lan vapenflagga.svg Official Östergötland County Compare unofficial above.
Vastra Gotalands lan vapenflagga.svg Västra Götaland County Flag includes arms/flags from the 4 traditional provinces (Västergötland, Bohuslän, Dalsland and Älvsborg) that are included in this relatively newly formed regional county.
Flag of West Sweden.svg UnofficialThe traditional province Västergötland Not much in use. Also compare the previous flag above that covers the same area and more.
Blekinge lan vapenflagga.svg Official Blekinge County The coat of arms for the traditional province of Blekinge and the administrative Blekinge county. Not much in use.
Hallands lan vapenflagga.svg Halland County There is a geographical difference between the administrative Halland county and the traditional Halland province.
Varmlands lan vapenflagga.svg Värmland County There is a geographical difference between the administrative Värmland county and the traditional Värmland province.
Orebro lan vapenflagga.svg Örebro County The Örebro county includes the traditional province Närke and parts of traditional provinces of Värmland and Västmanland. The flag includes arms from these 3 counties.
Sodermanlands lan vapenflagga.svg Södermanland County The administrative Södermanland County includes parts (southern part) of traditional Södermanland County
Uppsala lan vapenflagga.svg Uppsala County The administrative Uppsala County includes parts (northern part) of traditional Uppland Province
Stockholms lan vapenflagga.svg Stockholm County The administrative Stockholm County includes parts (southern part) of traditional Uppland County and (northern part) of traditional Södermanland province. the flag includes arms from these both counties and also the arms of Stockholm city.
Gotlands lan vapenflagga.svg Gotland County The administrative Gotland County consists of one main and a number of smaller islands in the Baltic sea. This is the only county in Sweden that only has one municipality.
Vastmanlands lan vapenflagga.svg Västmanland County The administrative Västmanland County includes parts of traditional Västmanland province
Dalarnas lan vapenflagga.svg Dalarna County This county was earlier known as Kopparbergs county and even earlier as Dalarna Province
Gavleborgs lan vapenflagga.svg Gävleborg County Gävleborg administrative County encompasses the traditional provinces of Gästrikland and Hälsingland.
Vasternorrlands lan vapenflagga.svg Västernorrland County Västernorrland administrative county covers approximately the traditional province of Ångermanland and the traditional province of Medelpad.
Vasterbottens lan vapenflagga.svg Västerbotten County Västerbotten administrative county covers the traditional province of Västerbotten and parts of the traditional province Swedish Lapland and traditional province of Ångermanland.
Norrbottens lan vapenflagga.svg Norrbotten County Norrbotten County includes the traditional province of Norrbotten and about two-thirds of the traditional province of Swedish Lapland.
Regional flag of Roslagen.svg Unofficial [2] Coastal area of Roslagen Roslagen is the name of the coastal areas of Uppland province in Sweden, which also constitutes the northern part of the Stockholm archipelago. Norrtälje is sometimes named the capital city of Roslagen.

Each official flag is based on the coat of arms for the county, see gallery, and used on buildings etc. used by respective county administration. Unofficial flags are used by private and local people.

Contents

See also

References

  1. "Nu får skånska flaggan användas officiellt" (in Swedish). Sveriges Television. 28 November 2017.
  2. Nu får Roslagen en egen flagga (Swedish), 2020-07-08.