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Off-centred Crosses (Overview)

Last modified: 2015-07-29 by rob raeside
Keywords: cross | cross: off-centred | cross: scandinavian | scandinavian cross |
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Below is a compilation of off-centred crosses (as in many Scandinavian flags), found on flags on this web site. Note that, although commonly described as Scandinavian crosses, the flags linked here include many variants from many places in and outside Scandinavia, and many have little or nothing to do with Scandinavian flag traditions. Fimbriation colours are identified in brackets. Crosses in italics are proposals, or flags of uncertain or dubious status.
Field
Cross
White Yellow Red Blue Green Black Other
White
BR São Paulo (red)
DE Schweriner RG (blue)
FI Finnish Yacht Club (blue), Ala-Keiteleen Pursiseura (blue), Borgå Segelsällskap (blue)
IS University of Iceland (blue),
LB Lebanese forces (red)
LV Latvian Scandinavian cross (red),
NL Diever (red), Idaerderadiel (red)
BR Pirapozinho SP
CA Bishops Falls, NL (red)
RU Stavropol,
SE Catholic Cathedra of Stockholm, West Sweden (blue), Swedish speaking in the Baltic (blue), Swedish speaking in the Baltic (red)
BR Frei Martinho PB, Marapoama, SP
CH Thunstetten, Switzerland,
DE Schleswig-Holstein (19th Century variants), Masburg, RP
DK Denmark
FR Cercle de la Voile de Bordeaux Carcans-Maubuisson
GL Greenland - Administration Ships, Greenland (green),
HK Hong Kong Baptist Boat flag,
LV Cesis, Latvia,
NL Goor,
NO Norway (1814), Vestlandet (blue),
UA Volyinia, Berhad' District
US Solvang (yellow), Black Star Line
VIVirgin Islands souvenir flag
AU Royal Freshwater Club YC burgee
BR Mandaguaçu, PR (red), Reserva do Cabaça, MT, Santa Helena, PR, Campos Novos Paulista, SP, Itapirapuã Paulista, SP, Pratânia SP, Ribeirão dos Índios SP, Mariápolis, SP
EC Manta, Manabi,
EE Parnu, Estonia (black), Estonian Ramblers Association,
ES Vilabertran, Catalonia
FI Bothnia, Finland 1863 proposal,
FR Calais, Société des Navigateurs Grands-Mottois
GB Shetland, self-proclaimed dependency of Forvik (Shetland)
IS Iceland 1897, Nationalist Party
US ED Hurlbut & Co Appalachicola Line, Ansonia, CT
BR Paulo Ramos, Maranhão, Vera Cruz do Oeste, PR (red), Santana do Livramento, RS, PR, Santa Cecília, SC (white), Santo Antônio da Alegria SP
CA Chilliwack, BC
EE Tyri Linn, Jarvamaa
ES Las Navas del Marqués, Avila
GB Barra,
GL Greenland, Greenland (blue),
NL Zwagerbos, Marum, Haaren (green, white)
NO Saami,
PR Puerto Rico Independence Party,
US New Milford, Connecticut USA
AR CIDEC,
DK Sorgeflag 		white cross on grey:
LV Aluksne

white cross on purple:
USA Scranton University,
Yellow
AX Åland (blue),
CA Bishops Falls, NL (red)
DE Teutonic Order (black)
NL Borger-Odoorn, Drenthe, Netherlands (red),
NO Northern Norway (red)
RU Pamyat (black edging)
SE Norrland (blue), AIK Club, Sweden (black), Swedish Tourist Association (blue)
Other Nordisk Flaggselskapp (red)
BR Senador Amaral, MG, São Paulo das Missões, RS, Alvinlândia, SP, Nantes SP, Nhandeara, SP
DE CDU proposal for Germany (black), German Young Democrat's League (black), German Free Democratic Party,
ES Castañeda, Grupo Odiel Shipping
FI Swedish speaking people in Finland, Finland 1863 proposal, Norrland (blue),
NO Trøndeland (blue), Nasjonal Samling, Norway,
SE Skåneland,
SY Teshreen Club, Latakia, Syria,
UA Volodarka District, Ukraine (vertical)
BR Pernambuco Yacht Club, Novo Horizonte do Norte, MT, Alabari, SP, Dumont SP, Gavião Peixoto SP, Iporanga SP
CA Churchbridge, SK
DE North Friesland variant (red),
LV Riga, Latvia (17th C),
NL Beers, Veghel, Tilburg, Oldenzaal Hanseatic flag, Bunschoten,
SE Sweden, Hälsingland (red),
US Wilmington, DE
BR Juina, RS (blue), Altair, SP
CZ Svatojanský Újezd
ES Avinyó, Spain,
HR Pula (Croatia),
SE Öland
ES Autonomous Bases (Bases Autónomas) (red),
SE Härjedalen, /TD> 		 
Red
AH Imperial yacht club vice-commodore, Imperial yacht club vice-commodore (Hungarian side) (green)
AM Gyumri
AU Sydney,
BE Compagnie Maritime Belge du Congo,
BR Rafael Godeiro (white, blue, reversed)
BY Christian-Democratic Union,
CA Mi'kmaq state flag, Western Canada Steamship Company
DE Burg, RP, Biggesee Rowing Club (white, red), Ruderverein Kurhessen-Cassel (white, blue), Ruderklub Kurhessen (white, red), Rathenower RC Wiking (white, black)
DK Jutland,
EE Seto People (patterned)
ES Luesia, Spain (with yellow fly triangle), Royal standard of Ramiro I, Flags at Sóller Annual Municipal Festival
FO Faroe Islands (blue),
GB North of England, Lundy, Yorkshire, Lloyds of London burgee (dark blue), West Riding Yorkshire
GE Georgian Orthodox Church(white, blue), Abkhasia proposal (white, red)
IT Raggio & Co. Shipping
LV Ventspils
NL Havelte, De Schelde House Flag, Rosmalen, De Maas rowing club honorary member
PE Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
TO Tonga naval ensign (white, red),
US Funch & Meinke Lines, ED Hurlbut & Co Pensacola Line, Pioneer Line of Australia Packets
Other Episcopal Church, Flag Institute
BR São Caetano de Odivelas, PA,
São Francisco de Assis, RS, Clementina SP, Óleo, SP
DE Christian Democratic Union proposal (black),
ES War Ensign 1785
FI Finland proposal (1863) (blue), Finnish merchant ensign (1918) (blue, white)
GB Orkney Islands,
NL Ruurlo, Herten, Netherlands (blue edges)
Other Norden
FR Normandie (yellow), Mouvement Normand (yellow)
AX Åland (yellow),
BE Compagnie Maritime Belge,
BR Taquarussu, Mato Grosso do Sul, Alegre, Espírito Santo (yellow), Balneário Gaivota, SC (white), Domingos Martins, ES, Chapadinha, MA(yellow), Santa de Parnaiba, SP (yellow), Cachoeira de Minas, MG (white), Dom Joaquim, MG (white), Dom Silvério, MG (white), Lagoa Formosa, MG (white), Santa Rita de Caldas, MG (white), Alagoa Grande PB, Cuite PB, Escada PE (white), Balneario Pinhal, RS (yellow), Cerro Largo, ES (yellow), Porto Xavier, ES (white), Alto Alegre, SP, Bom Jesus dos Perdões, SP (yellow), Cesário Lange, SP (yellow), Espírito Santo do Turvo SP (yellow), Iepê, SP (yellow), Igaraçu do Tietê SP (white), Juquitiba, SP (white), São Simão SP (white), Ocauçu, SP (white)
CL Chilean Ministers and Diplomats (white),
DE Oldenburg,
FI 1863 proposal (yellow), 1863 proposal (green),
IN Mizoram (white)
IS Iceland (white), Iceland president (white)
JP Keio High School YC burgee
SE Bohuslän,
US Wells & Emanuel / Empire Line
Other Marriage of the Century (fictional kingdom) (light blue),
AR Villa Saralegui (white)
BR Guaíra, SP (white), Curvelo, MG (white), São Domingos do Prata, MG (white), São Joaquim de Bicas, MG (white), Aral Moreira, MS (white), Monte Alegre, PA (white), Colorado, RS (white),
Ibarama, RS (white),
Nova Prata, RS (white), Grao Para, SC (white), Vitor Meireles, SC,
Ariranha SP (yellow), Caiabu, SP (yellow), Pirapora do Bom Jesus SP (yellow), Redenção da Serra SP (white), Santo Antônio do Pinhal SP (white)
ES Arcenillas (white), Montornés del Vallès (white)
NL Lemmer,
SE Småland, Småland (white),
DE German flag proposals, ca. 1919 (yellow)
MK Drugovo (yellow)
MX Mariano Matamoros - Battalion of San Pedro 		 
Blue
BR Itu, SP (yellow)
CL Chilean Sailing Federation,
CO Andalucia,
CZ Kostelecké Horky
DE BRC Sport-Möwe  (white, blue), ARG zu Berlin (white, blue)
ES Alvargonzález S.A.
FI Finland,
FR République Libre du Frioul,
GE Tbilisi (white, gold)
HR Lekenik
HU Kozarmisleny
IS Iceland proposal (1914) (white, blue),
NL Nautilus Rowing Club, Oosterhesselen, Wierden, Wittem
PR Bayamon (yellow),
RS VK Galeb rowing club, Belgrade
RU Karelia (1930 proposal) (orange)
SE Finnish speakers in Sweden (yellow)
SV Maya Lenca people,
US ED Hurlbut & Co Mobile Line, Wapella, WA
Religion Mormon heritage flag (white, blue)
BR Iaras SP, Louveira, SP
CU Automovil y Aero Club de Cuba
DE Northern Frisia (red),
IT Parma
SE Gøtaland,
RU Ingria (red),
NL Lelystad, Oldekerk
ZA Durban Coasters, Durban Lines
AU Greater Melbourne ensign (white),
BR Carmo do Paranaíba, Minas Gerais (yellow), São João Batista, SC (white), Borborema, SP (yellow)
GB Orkney Islands (yellow), Monarch Steamship Co. (white),
Royal Lymington YC burgee (white)
NO Norway (white), Trøndeland  (yellow),
US Wells & Emanuel / Empire Line, Dovray, MN (white)
Other Northwest Arkansas Kindred (white)
AX Åland (yellow)
GB Frixos V. Papachristidis (white)
RU Vepsians (yellow), Lyydi Karelia (red)
US Portland, OR (white, yellow, white)
GB Caithness (yellow)
SE IFK Göteborg club
Green
BR Pouso Redondo SC, Álvares Florence SP
DE Mark Rowing Club (white, black), Post SV Koblenz
GL Greenland,
NZ New Munster (white, blue)
SE Norrland
ZA South African Naval Ensign 1952-81
BR Santa Ernestina SP
SE Gotland
BR Lupércio SP (white)
DK Bornholm, Bornholm (white),
NL Buitenpost (white)
NL Vendsyssel (orange)
RU Votia, Russia,
SE Öland (yellow)
NL Haaren (white)
RU Karelia (red), 		 
Black
BR Santos Futebol Clube,
DE Teutonic Order, German Empire (white, black), Kaiserlicher Yacht Club (red), Rostocker Rowing Club (white, black), Seerederei Nereus (white, black), Proposed General Government Flag 1939, Ratzeburger RC (white, black)
Rosslauer RG
FR Bezen Perot (Breton Political movement), Bagadou Stourm (Breton paramilitary movement) (white, yellow); St. John's Order in Brittany
LV Latvian National Guard (1941-44),
NL IJsselham (red),
USA Staunton, Virginia (white, black),
Other Baltic Duchy,
BR Clube de Regatas União, Bastos, SP
DE Rowing club on the Teichwiesen, RB Bismarck
NL Anloo (yellow, black),
Vledder (yellow, black),
RU Front of National-Revolutionary Action (white)
BR Arandu SP (white)
DE German Third Reich war ensign (white, black, white), Wirmer proposal for Germany (yellow),
GB Monarch Steamship Co.
BR Jacupiranga, SP
FR Bleimor (Sea scouts, Brittany)(white),
RU East Karelia 1919-1920 (red),
Other Vinnland (musical group) (white)
 
Purple/TH>
HRA Reformist (Evangelist?) Church in Croatia
NL Heel en Panheel


Orange
ZA Safmarine, South Africa (blue)



Pink




SE Småland, Småland (white)
 
Other brown on white: Swainsboro, Georgia USA orange on blue: Zaječar, Serbia
White Yellow Red Blue Green Black

What defines a Scandinavian Cross?

A Scandinavian cross would by most vexillologists be defined as a straight-armed cross on a flag which goes out to the ends of the flag and which has the centre of the cross set closer to the hoist than to the fly.
Elias Grandqvist, 13 April 2001

The term Scandinavian cross is used to describe a 'hoist-ward off-set straight-armed orthogonal cross throughout' when this is appropriate, that is, when there is indeed a connection to Scandinavia, and not to do so otherwise.  Some vexillologists would insist that the connection to Scandinavia is essential, others don't.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 4 July 2001

How many Scandinavian Cross flags are there?

I don't know if you can say for sure, exactly how many flags with Scandinavian crosses there are. It depends a bit on what flag you want to consider. Some flags with Scandinavian crosses are unofficial, private initiatives for some geographical areas, others are merely proposals which might never really have been in use.

There are 5 countries in the world today which have flags with Scandinavian crosses as their official national flags. All of them also have Scandinavian crosses in their state and/or their war flags. Would the later special flags count as flags on their own when counting the flags with Scandinavian crosses?
Elias Grandqvist, 13 April 2001

References

I recently received the INFO bulletin of the "Vlaggen Dokumentatie Centrum Nederland" (Flag Documentation Center of the Netherlands). It lists a number of flags using the Nordic [off-centred] cross design. Derk [Derkwillem Visser, Jr.; the editor] states that they come from "Under Nordisk Flagg" (Under the Northern Flags) by Per Andersson.

William M. Grimes-Wyatt, 6 March 1996

Corrections and additions by Jan Oskar Engene, Željko Heimer and Pascal Vagnat.

Two other books may be of interest:

  • Per Andersson: Under nordisk flagg, Mjolby: Drakings bokforlag, 1994
  • Per Andersson: Nordiska korsflaggor, Mjolby: Bokforlaget Draking, 1992

Both books are in Swedish. The latter one is more concentrated on flags than the former. One problem with these works is that there are no references, so we are often not told when and where the flags surfaced. I am skeptical towards the existence of some of them. Probably, quite a few of the designs are merely proposals. The lack of references and documentation in the booklets mentioned, made it difficult to decide the status of some of the flags.

Jan Oskar Engene, 7 March 1996

There's a book about flags with this types of crosses, "Nordiska Korsflaggor", written by Per Andersson (1992). This book is known to not be very specific about sources, so some people regard many of the flags described in it as rather dubious.

Elias Grandqvist, 13 April 2001

Related pages

 See also: