Flags With Crosses: All Cross-Design Flags

Over 25 countries have crosses on their flags: all 5 Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland), the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Georgia, Greece, and more.

Crosses appear on over 25 national flags, from the Scandinavian crosses of Northern Europe to the Christian crosses of Switzerland and Georgia.

Nordic Cross Flags

• Denmark: Red with white Scandinavian cross — oldest national flag (Dannebrog, 1370+)
• Sweden: Blue with yellow Scandinavian cross
• Norway: Red with blue cross outlined in white
• Finland: White with blue Scandinavian cross
• Iceland: Blue with red cross outlined in white
• Faroe Islands: White with red cross outlined in blue (territory of Denmark)
• Aland Islands: Blue with red cross on yellow cross (territory of Finland)

Other Cross Flags

• United Kingdom: Union Jack — combination of 3 crosses (St George, St Andrew, St Patrick)
• Switzerland: Red with white equilateral cross (nearly square flag)
• Georgia: White with red cross and four smaller crosses (Bolnur-Katskhuri)
• Tonga: Red with white canton containing red cross
• Dominican Republic: Blue and red quarters divided by white cross with coat of arms
• Jamaica: Green and black with gold diagonal cross (saltire)
• Burundi: White saltire (diagonal cross) dividing red and green sections
• Dominica: Green with centered cross of yellow, black, and white stripes and red disc with parrot
• Greece: Blue and white with white cross on blue canton
• Malta: White and red with George Cross in canton
• England: White with red cross of St George
• Scotland: Blue with white diagonal cross of St Andrew

History of Crosses on Flags

The cross is one of the oldest symbols in flag design. The Nordic cross (shifted to the hoist side) originated with Denmark's Dannebrog, reportedly dating to 1219 and the oldest national flag still in use. All Nordic and Scandinavian-influenced territories adopted this distinctive design. The Swiss cross dates to the 14th century. The UK's Union Jack combines three crosses: the red cross of St George (England), the white diagonal cross of St Andrew (Scotland), and the red diagonal cross of St Patrick (Ireland). Crosses on flags primarily represent Christian heritage, though their meaning has evolved to become more generally cultural.

Key Facts

• Over 25 countries and territories have crosses on their flags.
• All 5 Nordic countries use the distinctive Nordic cross design.
• Denmark's Dannebrog is the world's oldest continuously used national flag.
• The Union Jack combines three separate crosses.
• Switzerland's cross is the basis for the Red Cross symbol (with colors inverted).

Fun Facts

• Legend says Denmark's flag fell from the sky during the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219.
• The Red Cross symbol is simply the Swiss flag with colors inverted, created to honor Henri Dunant's Swiss origins.
• Jamaica's flag is the only national flag that does not contain red, white, or blue — its cross is gold.
• Georgia's five-cross design is known as the "Jerusalem Cross" and represents Christ and the four Evangelists.

Final Thoughts

Cross flags span from the ancient Dannebrog to modern Georgia, representing Christian heritage, cultural identity, and national unity. The Nordic cross in particular has become one of the most recognizable flag design patterns in the world.