State flag to be used on state ships and at government buildings that did not fly the military ensign. Prior to 1897, used by private ships serving the Swedish royal mail.
1844–1905
Naval jack and diplomatic flag
The Union badge: a cross bearing the colours of both Sweden and Norway.
–1844
Civil ensign
Similar to the present national flag (slightly different colors and proportions occurred)
1818–1844
Union civil ensign ("distant waters")
White saltire on red in the upper hoist corner. The canton in red and white represented Norway. The ensign was introduced on 26 October 1818, for use in "distant waters", i.e. beyond Cape Finisterre in North-West Spain, as an alternative to the standard Swedish civil ensign which could also be used by Norwegian ships if they wished. By royal resolution of 17 July 1821, the saltire flag was ordered as the only Norwegian and Swedish civil ensign in "distant waters".
1815–1844
State flag and military ensign
White saltire on red in the upper hoist corner. The canton in red and white represented Norway.
1838–1844
Alternate state flag
Used by private ships serving the Swedish royal mail.
1761–1813
Military ensign of the Archipelago fleet
An all-blue triple-tailed flag to be used by the Arméns flotta
mid-17th century–1815
State flag and war ensign
Similar to the present military ensign (slightly different colors and proportions occurred)
c. 1520s – c. 1620
State flag and war ensign
Swallow-tailed flag (slightly different colors and proportions occurred)
14th century
Royal banner of arms of the House of Bjälbo
Four horizontal blue stripes and three white stripes with a lion in the center and 56 hearts distributed on each blue stripe
Flags of national minorities
Flag
Date
Use
Description
2007
Sweden Finns
1971
Romani people
Divided in blue and green horizontally with a red 16-spoked cartwheel in the center
1986
Sámi people
2007
Tornedalians
Yellow, white and blue horizontal tricolour
Regional flags
Flag
Status
Use
Description
Semi-official
The traditional province of Skåne (Scania)
Official
Skåne County (Scania)
Also a similar flag exists with blue background for the Scania region
Unofficial
The county of Jämtland
Jamtland (which belonged to Norway until 1645) has its own movement for the Republic of Jamtland – not a serious attempt for independence but more a touch of humor and local culture. The flag, however, is used in the area.
Official
Jämtland County
Compare unofficial above. Jämtland modern county includes the two traditional provinces of Jämtland and Härjedalen.
Unofficial
The traditional province of Småland
Småland is a relatively large traditional province in the south of Sweden that today is divided into three administrative counties, and also has two smaller areas outside these three counties.
Official
Kronoberg County
Part of the historical province of Småland (see above)
Jönköping County
Kalmar County
Part of the historical province of Småland (see above) and the island province Öland (see below)
Unofficial
The historical province and island Öland outside Småland in the Baltic Sea
Öland (Swedish for "the island land") has a long history and different nature compared to the main land of Sweden. Öland is the second largest island in Sweden.
The traditional province Östergötland
The blue cross relates to the two main channels and the yellow to agricultural flat areas. Not much in use.
Official
Östergötland County
Compare unofficial above
Västra Götaland County
Flag includes arms/flags from the four traditional provinces (Västergötland, Bohuslän, Dalsland and Älvsborg) that are included in this relatively newly formed regional county.
Unofficial
The traditional province of Västergötland
Not much in use. Also compare the previous flag above that covers the same area and more.
Official
Blekinge County
The coat of arms for the traditional province of Blekinge and the administrative Blekinge County. Not much in use.
Halland County
There is a geographical difference between the administrative Halland County and the traditional Halland province.
Värmland County
There is a geographical difference between the administrative Värmland County and the traditional Värmland province.
Örebro County
Örebro County includes the traditional province Närke and parts of the traditional provinces of Värmland and Västmanland. The flag includes arms from these three counties.
Södermanland County
The administrative Södermanland County includes parts (southern part) of traditional Södermanland County.
Uppsala County
The administrative Uppsala County includes parts (northern part) of traditional Uppland Province.
Stockholm County
The administrative Stockholm County includes parts (southern part) of traditional Uppland County and (northern part) of traditional Södermanland province. the flag includes arms from these both counties and also the arms of Stockholm city.
Gotland County
The administrative Gotland County consists of one main and a number of smaller islands in the Baltic Sea. This is the only county in Sweden that only has one municipality.
Västmanland County
The administrative Västmanland County includes parts of the traditional Västmanland province.
Dalarna County
This county was earlier known as Kopparbergs County and even earlier as Dalarna Province.
Gävleborg County
Gävleborg administrative County encompasses the traditional provinces of Gästrikland and Hälsingland.
Västernorrland County
Västernorrland administrative county covers approximately the traditional province of Ångermanland and the traditional province of Medelpad.
Västerbotten County
Västerbotten administrative county covers the traditional province of Västerbotten and parts of the traditional province Swedish Lapland and the traditional province of Ångermanland.
Norrbotten County
Norrbotten County includes the traditional province of Norrbotten and about two-thirds of the traditional province of Swedish Lapland.
Unofficial
Coastal area of Roslagen
Roslagen is the name of the coastal areas of Uppland province in Sweden, which also constitutes the northern part of the Stockholm archipelago. Norrtälje is sometimes named the capital city of Roslagen.
Each official flag is based on the coat of arms for the county; see gallery, and used on buildings etc. used by respective county administration. Unofficial flags are used by private and local people.
See also
Portal:
Sweden
List of flags of Sweden at Wikipedia's sister projects:
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