# flag of Finland

> national flag of the Republic of Finland

**Wikidata**: [Q47891](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47891)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Finland)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flag-of-finland

## Summary
The flag of Finland is the national flag of the Republic of Finland, representing its sovereignty and identity. It features a blue Nordic cross on a white background, with the cross extending to the edges of the flag. The design was adopted on May 29, 1918, and is one of the most extensively documented national flags in global knowledge systems.

## Key Facts
- **Design:** The flag consists of a blue Nordic cross on a white background, with the cross extending to the edges of the flag.
- **Adoption Date:** Officially adopted on May 29, 1918, following Finland's declaration of independence from Russia.
- **Classification:** It is a subclass of both "flag design" and "national symbol" in structured knowledge bases.
- **Multilingual Aliases:** Known as *Blue Cross Flag*, *siniristilippu* (Finnish), and *Finland flag* in English, with additional terms in German (*Staatsflagge*), Chinese (邦旗), Russian (флаг государства), and others.
- **Digital Representation:** The flag is digitally represented by the image *Flag of Finland.svg* and has a Unicode emoji representation (🇫🇮).
- **Authority Identifiers:** Includes GND ID (4171215-8), YSO ID (17659), Freebase ID (/m/05gv9), and WordNet Synset ID (06895059-n).
- **Platform Tags:** Has an OpenStreetMap tag (`flag:type=national`) and a Booru tag (`national_flag`).
- **Designed By:** Attributed to Eero Snellman and his brother, Tauno, who created the design in 1917.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Has articles in 80 language editions, with the main category being "Category:National flags."
- **Related Flags:** Part of the broader category of Nordic cross flags, which are used by Nordic countries.
- **Emoji Representation:** 🇫🇮

## FAQs
**What does the flag of Finland represent?**
The flag of Finland represents the sovereignty and identity of the Republic of Finland. Its blue Nordic cross on a white background symbolizes the country's history, values, and national cohesion.

**When was the flag of Finland adopted?**
The flag was officially adopted on May 29, 1918, following Finland's declaration of independence from Russia.

**Who designed the flag of Finland?**
The flag was designed by Eero Snellman and his brother, Tauno, in 1917, shortly before Finland's independence.

**How is the flag of Finland classified in knowledge systems?**
In structured knowledge bases, the flag is classified as a subclass of both "flag design" and "national symbol," reflecting its role as a designed graphic object and a culturally loaded symbol.

**What are the multilingual names for the flag of Finland?**
The flag is known by various names across languages, including *Blue Cross Flag* (English), *siniristilippu* (Finnish), *Staatsflagge* (German), and *邦旗* (Chinese).

**Where can I find the flag of Finland in digital platforms?**
The flag is digitally represented by the image *Flag of Finland.svg* and has a Unicode emoji representation (🇫🇮). It is also tagged in platforms like OpenStreetMap and Booru.

## Why It Matters
The flag of Finland is a cornerstone of Finnish national identity and international recognition. Its adoption in 1918 marked a pivotal moment in Finland's history, symbolizing sovereignty and independence. The blue Nordic cross design is one of the most recognizable national flags globally, facilitating diplomatic and cultural representation. The flag's strict regulation and widespread use underscore its role as a unifying symbol for Finns and a key identifier in international relations. Its presence in global knowledge systems, multilingual documentation, and digital platforms highlights its significance as a universally recognized national emblem.

## Notable For
- **Historical Significance:** The flag was adopted on May 29, 1918, shortly after Finland's independence from Russia.
- **Design Recognition:** Its blue Nordic cross design is one of the most widely recognized national flags in the world.
- **Multilingual Documentation:** The flag is documented in 80 Wikipedia language editions, reflecting its global relevance.
- **Digital Representation:** It has a dedicated SVG image and Unicode emoji (🇫🇮) for digital use.
- **Structured Data Hub:** The flag is anchored in global linked data systems with identifiers from GND, YSO, Freebase, and WordNet.
- **Platform Tags:** It is tagged in OpenStreetMap and Booru, demonstrating its presence in practical data applications.
- **Designer Attribution:** The flag was designed by Eero Snellman and his brother, Tauno, in 1917.

## Body
### Definition and Core Classification
The flag of Finland is the official national flag of the Republic of Finland. It is formally classified as a subclass of both "flag design" and "national symbol," reflecting its role as a designed graphic object and a culturally loaded symbol. The flag represents the nation and serves as a primary identifier for Finland in international and domestic contexts.

### Design and Symbolism
The flag features a blue Nordic cross on a white background, with the cross extending to the edges of the flag. This design is known as the Nordic cross and is shared by other Nordic countries. The blue color symbolizes the sky and the white represents the snow, reflecting Finland's natural landscape. The cross is a traditional symbol of Christianity and has been used in Scandinavian heraldry for centuries.

### History and Adoption
The flag was designed by Eero Snellman and his brother, Tauno, in 1917, shortly before Finland's declaration of independence from Russia. It was officially adopted on May 29, 1918, marking a significant moment in Finnish history. The design was chosen to represent the country's newfound sovereignty and identity.

### Multilingual and Cultural Representations
The flag is known by various names across languages, including *Blue Cross Flag* (English), *siniristilippu* (Finnish), *Staatsflagge* (German), and *邦旗* (Chinese). These terms reflect the flag's recognition and use in different linguistic and cultural contexts. The flag is documented in 80 Wikipedia language editions, demonstrating its global relevance.

### Authority and Database Identifiers
The flag is anchored in global linked data systems with identifiers from GND (4171215-8), YSO (17659), Freebase (/m/05gv9), and WordNet (06895059-n). These identifiers provide unambiguous, citable access points to the flag across disparate information systems. The flag also has a dedicated SVG image and Unicode emoji representation (🇫🇮) for digital use.

### Digital Ecosystem and Tagging
The flag is digitally represented by the image *Flag of Finland.svg* and has a Unicode emoji representation (🇫🇮). It is also tagged in platforms like OpenStreetMap (`flag:type=national`) and Booru (`national_flag`), demonstrating its presence in practical data applications. The flag is part of a curated gallery of sovereign-state flags and is organized under the main category "Category:National flags" on Wikimedia Commons.

### Related Historical and Topical Context
The flag is connected to broader topical resources, including a timeline of national flags and a history of topic cataloging. It is part of the broader category of Nordic cross flags, which are used by Nordic countries. The flag's design and adoption are deeply tied to Finland's historical events, including its independence from Russia.

### Notable Connections
The flag is related to Eero Snellman, a Finnish painter and designer, who created the flag in 1917. It is also connected to the broader category of Nordic cross flags, which are used by Nordic countries. The flag's design and adoption are part of a broader historical and cultural context in Finland.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet
3. Name Suggestion Index