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The Dannebrog meaning
"the flag of the Danes" or the "red flag" is
seen flying high at Tornby Strand - photo taken by Nelson L |
Dear Denmark,
Do you know that parade they have in the Olympics? Where all the
athletes march into the stadium, smiling and waving, with the flag bearer at
the helm hoisting their national emblem into the air? That's my favourite part
of the Opening Ceremony. The patriotic pride is palpable. Just the sight of our flag ignites within us unadulterated love for our nation and what it can achieve, fuelling our desire to wave our arms
and spontaneously wear our national colours.
When I think of any nation, I think of their flag. I may be
biased but I think you have one of the prettiest flags, Denmark. Passionate, fiery red,
with the stark contrast of pure, blinding white. It is iconic. It unites and
represents a nation, and there is nothing more inspiring than seeing it
fluttering in the breeze.
Legend has it that the Dannebrog (the Danish flag) fell from heaven during the Battle of Valdemar in Estonia in 1219. It tells of a story of how the Danes fought to establish independence from Estonia, but the Estonians were far too strong and the Danes were about to surrender. Suddenly, the heavens opened and a red flag with a white cross fell from the sky. The Danes believed the flag was a gift from God and they eventually won the battle. Ever since it has been used as the national flag of Denmark and it is considered one of the oldest national flags in the world.
As much as a flag can identify a country, I guess it doesn't tell you what the people are like, their generosity or their ideals, or what the food is like or what the landscape is like. And as much as the Christian cross is a symbol of Scandinavia, it doesn't perhaps represent the views of the Danes themselves. The flag was discovered in the midst of war, but I like to think that today the Danes are a people of peace.
Until next time,
Helen
Legend has it that the Dannebrog (the Danish flag) fell from heaven during the Battle of Valdemar in Estonia in 1219. It tells of a story of how the Danes fought to establish independence from Estonia, but the Estonians were far too strong and the Danes were about to surrender. Suddenly, the heavens opened and a red flag with a white cross fell from the sky. The Danes believed the flag was a gift from God and they eventually won the battle. Ever since it has been used as the national flag of Denmark and it is considered one of the oldest national flags in the world.
As much as a flag can identify a country, I guess it doesn't tell you what the people are like, their generosity or their ideals, or what the food is like or what the landscape is like. And as much as the Christian cross is a symbol of Scandinavia, it doesn't perhaps represent the views of the Danes themselves. The flag was discovered in the midst of war, but I like to think that today the Danes are a people of peace.
Until next time,
Helen
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