All of the Nordic countries and their associated territories have adopted a Nordic cross flag (except Greenland).

The first incarnation of this design was the Danish Danneborg, with the earliest undisputed appearance between 1340-1370. When Sweden declared independence from the Kalmar Union it adopted a flag of the same style with the blue and gold coloring from its national coat of arms. Norway had the first Nordic cross flag to feature three colors, designed in 1821 but not officially adopted until 1844.