Flags

I think Norwegians love their flag, even more than they love their own mothers.  I’ve never experienced anything like it.  They beam with pride when they gaze upon it, as if watching their child take its first step.  It might have something to do with that first step Norway took away from their tie with Sweden back in 1814, or that the Germans wouldn’t allow it’s presence to be seen at all during WWII.

Unlike the flag in America, that can fly anytime, the display of the Norwegian flag is highly regulated.  I’ve noticed, just by being a parent, when something is restricted, it creates a greater desire for that thing – so that might have something to do with their passion for it.

Every flag purchased has a card attached with all the rules surrounding its use.  America has certain rules around the use of its flag, too, but I’m guessing only the Boy Scouts know them by heart, but in Norway, everyone knows them.  

To begin with, the flag is only allowed to fly on national holidays like New Year’s Day, Easter, 17^th of May, Labor Day, Pentecost and Christmas.  It’s also allowed on the birthdays of royal family members.  When the flag is flying outside individual homes on days other than these, it signifies some big celebration is going on, whether it’s a birthday, wedding, baptism or confirmation.  I’ve even seen the flag flying to signify visitors have come from America.  The flag is also allowed to fly at half-mast if someone has died.  The State Church flies their flag at half-mast also, but only during the time of the funeral.

The time of day the flag is allowed to fly is also very regulated.  During the winter months, November through February, it can’t be hung out until nine in the morning and must be back in by nine at night.  The rest of the year it can come out at eight o’clock. The rules slightly change for those folks that live way up north – they are only allowed to fly their flag from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon because they have so much less daylight.  I’m sure some have moved further south just so they can fly their flag longer.

As predictable as the church bells are on a Sunday morning, on days the flag is allowed to fly, at the exact moment the hands of the clock strike the hour, front doors open, and flags appear.  Everyone is standing just inside their door like a runner at the starting gate, waiting to be the first one on their street to fly it.  Likewise, I’ve been to parties where people leave early in order to bring in their flag by “quitting time,” or they arrange with a neighbor to take it down.

Inside every home is a tabletop version of the flag, displayed year round, 24 hours a day.  Thankfully, there are no regulations around that one so the Norwegians have reason to smile each and every day.