Dannebrog: The flag that fell from the sky
In 1219, legend has it, the Danish flag fell from heaven during a battle in present-day Estonia, helping the Danish army to an unexpeced victory.
In 2019, the legend of the Danish flag turns 800.
The legend was first mentioned by historians in the early 16th century. Since 1913, the flag – and the legend of its origin – is celebrated annually on June 15, which is named Valdemar’s Day after the late king. That day, as on many other days, the flag is raised across the country.
Although King Valdemar’s crusade did take place, the story of the falling flag obviously has no basis in reality. That, however, does not make it any less powerful.
“What matters is that it’s a good story. The mythological and religious elements only make it better. So does its old age,” says Torben Kjersgaard Nielsen, historian at Aalborg University in Denmark and author of a book on the Danish flag.
“When parents in Denmark tell their children the legend of the flag, they become part of a tradition of people who have told this story for centuries. This is delightful and reassuring.”
In 2019, the legend of the Danish flag turns 800.
The legend was first mentioned by historians in the early 16th century. Since 1913, the flag – and the legend of its origin – is celebrated annually on June 15, which is named Valdemar’s Day after the late king. That day, as on many other days, the flag is raised across the country.
Although King Valdemar’s crusade did take place, the story of the falling flag obviously has no basis in reality. That, however, does not make it any less powerful.
“What matters is that it’s a good story. The mythological and religious elements only make it better. So does its old age,” says Torben Kjersgaard Nielsen, historian at Aalborg University in Denmark and author of a book on the Danish flag.
“When parents in Denmark tell their children the legend of the flag, they become part of a tradition of people who have told this story for centuries. This is delightful and reassuring.”
Today, the Danish flag is still used frequently by the royal family and state institutions. In addition, use among the general population has grown significantly. The flag is practically everywhere – on very different occasions with equally different meanings. One of the most popular uses is to decorate birthday cakes and buns with small paper flags.
“For birthdays and other joyful events, the Danish flag is used as a symbol of happiness. At the other end of the scale, when flown at half-mast for funerals, the flag symbolises mourning and helps people cope with the loss of a loved one,” Kjersgaard Nielsen says.
Other uses include painting the Danish flag on the faces of fans of the national soccer team. Sewing it on backpacks for journeys abroad. Hanging it on the Christmas tree along with other decorations. Raising it over allotment gardens at weekends. Or printing it on packaging of vegetables to show they’re locally grown.
“Everyone uses and interprets the Danish flag in their own way. Paradoxically, this is what makes it a uniting symbol,” Kjersgaard Nielsen says.
The population of Denmark probably use their national flag more than people in most other countries do. One reason for this is that no laws – only guidelines – regulate the use of the most common version of the Danish flag. The possibility of a flag law was discussed in the early 20th century, but there was no political majority for it. Today, it would be impossible, Kjersgaard Nielsen says:
“The Danish flag has been used by the general population for a very long time, and then you can’t suddenly start regulating. People wouldn’t back it. When I give presentations, I meet very few people who want to limit the use of the flag. Instead, they want it to be used in more and more ways."
Source: Danmark.dk
And now to the cache:
Here in the Danish Kings Garden you find the spot where Dannebrog fell from the sky.
To log this as found you need to add a photo of, yourself or your geocaching id with the Soldier & Dannebrog, in your log.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.