Iceland Flag - Republic of

The cross on the Icelandic flag symbolises Iceland's Scandinavian history. It was designed by Matthias Thordarson who explained the flag's colors as representing blue for the mountains, white for ice and snow and red for fire and lava as seen from the island's many volcanoes. Blue and white are the country's traditional colors. The Icelandic flag is a reverse version of the Norwegian flag indicating many early ancestral links. The red and white of Denmark's flag is also present as a link to the past. Iceland adopted its flag on June 19, 1915. The design was approved in principle by the King of Denmark in 1913 initiating the flag's unofficial use. It remained unchanged when Iceland became a self-governing state under the Danish Monarchy in 1918 and then an independent republic in 1944. Icelandic law prescribes that the use of the flag is a privilege not a right. Flying an Icelandic flag must follow specific protocols and ensure the flag is in excellent condition. Disrespect towards the Icelandic flag either physically or verbally is prohibited and is subject to fines or imprisonment up to one year. The Icelandic flag is not to be flown before 7:00 AM nor after midnight. It is seen as preferable not not to fly it after sunset. If however, the flag is flown at an outdoor assembly, an official gathering, funeral or a memorial it may be flown past sunset to the end of the event but not later than midnight.