What do the colors on the flag of Norway mean?

The colors on the Norwegian flag, white, red and blue, represent peace, strength and loyalty. Designed in 1821 by Fredrik Meltzer, the Norwegian flag features a red background with a blue cross outlined in white.

According to Famous Wonders, Meltzer took inspiration for the design of the Norwegian flag from the French tricolor and also the American and British flags. In the centuries before the Norwegian flag was adopted, Norway used the flags of Denmark and Sweden when under the governance of those two nations. Although Meltzer's flag was commonly used by Norwegians for much of the 19th century, it was not until 1899 that the flag was officially hoisted for the first time.