<Tr> <Th> Use </Th> <Td> State and war flag, state and naval ensign </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Proportion </Th> <Td> 16: 27 </Td> </Tr> <P> The flag of Norway is a red with an indigo blue Scandinavian cross fimbriated in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog, the flag of Denmark . </P> <P> It is difficult to establish what the earliest flag of Norway looked like . During ancient times countries did not fly flags . Kings and other rulers flew flags, especially in battle . Saint Olav used a serpent within a white mark at the Battle of Nesjar . Prior to this the raven or dragon was used . Magnus the Good used the same mark as Saint Olav . Harald Hardråde used the raven banner . This flag was flown by various Viking chieftains and other Scandinavian rulers during the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries AD . Inge used a red lion on gold . Sverre used an eagle in gold and red . The earliest known flag which could be described as a national flag of Norway is the one used today as the Royal Standard . Eirik Magnusson used a flag described as a golden lion with axe and crown on red from 1280 and this was since regularly the flag of the King of Norway and thereby also of Norway . </P>

What does red flag with blue cross mean