Because of its clever design, you can find the flags of six other countries hidden inside the red, white, and blue patterns of Norway's national flag!
Norway's flag features a blue "Nordic cross" with a white outline on a bright red background. While it looks simple, this specific arrangement of colors and shapes acts like a geographical puzzle, containing the designs of six other national flags within its borders.
By isolating different sections or zooming in on specific parts of the Norwegian flag, you can see:
The designer of the flag, Fredrik Meltzer, didn't necessarily plan for all these flags to be hidden inside when he created it in 1821. He chose red, white, and blue to represent liberty, inspired by the colors of the French, American, and British flags. However, because many countries use these same three colors and simple geometric stripes, the Norwegian flag became a "universal template" for flag enthusiasts.
The Norwegian flag is a masterpiece of simple geometry. It earned the nickname "Mother of All Flags" because its layout can be cropped to reveal the national flags of six other countries, making it a favorite fact for vexillologists (people who study flags).
