Flag of Finland

The Finnish flag shows a blue Scandinavian cross (= a cross shifted to the staff side ? all Scandinavian countries have such a cross in their flags as a sign of kinship and togetherness) on a white background. It was introduced by law on 29.05.1918 (other sources speak of 12.02.1920). The flag was created by the poet Zacharias Topelius already in 1870, and is supposed to symbolize the snow and lakes of Finland.
The proportions of the flag are calculated as follows:
Length: 18 = white 5 blue 3 white 10
Width: 11 = white 4 blue 3 white 4

Hymn

O homeland:
O homeland, o homeland, thou our fatherland;
Sound loud, thou dear dear word!
No mountain that touches the heavenly band,
No hidden valley and sea-washed beach,
Is loved more than our native north,
Our own forefathers' place.

Your blossom, hidden deep in the bud's ground,
And yet ripened shall now open wide.
Yes! Through our love it shall glow once more.
Your light, your joy, your hope, your splendor!
And yet one fine day it shall sound even purer,
This song that our land shall sing.