How well do you know the Danish national flag, 'Dannebrog'?

An artistic representation of Denmark's national flag, Dannebrog, waving proudly in front of a historic Danish landscape, with elements that represent Danish culture interspersed throughout the image.

Test Your Knowledge of Dannebrog!

Are you ready to discover how well you know Denmark's beloved national flag, Dannebrog? This quiz will challenge your historical knowledge and cultural insights about this iconic symbol!

Each question will test your understanding of the flag's significance, its laws and customs surrounding its use, and its fascinating history.

10 Questions2 MinutesCreated by FlyingFlag92

Which of the following claims about Dannebrog is false?

Dannebrog is the world's oldest national flag.

Dannebrog was originally yellow and blue but the colours were changed to red and white in 1714.

It was illegal for private individuals to use Dannebrog between 1833 and 1854.

Which of the following claims about Dannebrog is false?

Dannebrog is also the name of a village in Nebraska founded in 1871 by a colony of Danes.

2. November 2017, Dannebrog became the largest flag to have ever been hoisted when a flag of 3.000 m2 was hoisted from the Danish parliament in Copenhagen.

In the beginning of the 20th century, Danes living under Prussian rule in North Frisia in Southern Schleswig were prohibited from raising the Danish flag and displayed a pig, the Husum Red Pied or ‘Danish Protest Pig’, instead.

There are no laws on how to use the Danish national flag but there are quite a few practices as well as circulars that are observed. Which of the following is not a rule for how to use Dannebrog?

The flag must never be hoisted before 08.00 and must be taken down at sunset at the latest unless it is kept well lit.

Hoisting and taking down Dannebrog must be done at a dignified and appropriate speed.

Dannebrog must at all times be carried horizontally and never vertically.

Let’s continue with mores and customs for how to use Dannebrog. Which of the following is not a Danish rule?

Dannebrog must never touch the ground.

If the flag is to be hoisted or taken down at a social gathering, then someone must first yell to the others, e.g. “Greet the flag!”. Then everyone must look to the flag while it is hoisted/taken down.

It is allowed to hoist several flags on one flagpole as long as Dannebrog is at the top.

Which of these dates is not an official Danish day for hoisting the flag?

8. March, International Women's Day.

9. April, the day of the German occupation of Denmark. Dannebrog is flown at half-mast until 12.00.

1. January, New Year's Day.

The flag or naval ensign of the Royal Danish Navy is called “orlogsflaget” in Danish. Which of the following statements about “orlogsflaget” is false?

The naval ensign is coloured a deeper red than the regular flag which makes it easier to see on the sea. According to legend, it is the colour of blood because the flag was used to mop up blood or as a shroud for fallen marines.

No one knows exactly when the navy started using the Danish national flag but the earliest paintings of ships with Dannebrog are from the 15th and 16th centuries.

There must always be an even number of flags aboard the ship.

Which of these claims about the history of Dannebrog is false?

According to Icelandic sagas, the Danish Vikings would at certain occasions carry the so-called ‘Raven Banner’ which showed the Nordic god Odin’s black raven on a red background.

Dannebrog went completely out of use after the Danish loss of the Scanian provinces in 1658 but was taken up again in 1788 as part of the celebration of the abolition of ‘stavnsbåndet’, a Danish serfdom-like institution.

The story of the origin of Dannebrog has since the 16th century been connected to the battle of Lyndanisse in Estonia on the 15th of June 1219. According to legend, the flag fell from the sky during a crucial moment in the fight between the Danes and the Estonians.

Last question! Which of these claims about the celebrations in 2019 is false?

In 2019, we celebrate the 800th anniversary of Dannebrog with a host of different and exciting cultural events!

In 2019, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia with a broad programme of thought-provoking and inspiring cultural events!

In 2019, we celebrate the Summer Olympics which will be held in Tokyo, Japan!

How well do you know the Danish national flag, 'Dannebrog'?

Test Your Knowledge of Dannebrog!

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