Flag of Switzerland which was based on a white cross design. These flags usually showed a white cross drawn to the edge of the field in front of a background striped in the respective cantonal colours. From this type, the "flammé" military flag develops in the 17th century, which also came to be used by Swiss mercenary regiments by the end of the 17th century. The "flammé" design remained popular for military flags of the 18th and 19th centuries. A "flammé" flag was introduced as ordonnance for the Bernese troops in 1703. After the invasion of 1798, the authorities of the Helvetic Republic
Nordic Cross flag Finland (1917); some of the subdivisions of these countries used this as inspiration for their own flags. The Norwegian flag was the first Nordic cross flag with three colours. All Nordic flags may be flown as gonfalons as well. Note that some of these flags are historical. Also, note that flag proportions may vary between the different flags and sometimes even between different versions of the same flag. The Flag of Greenland is the only national flag of a Nordic country or territory without a Nordic Cross. When Greenland was granted home rule, the present flag - with a graphic