Household pennant

Finnish general pennant, blue-cross pennant

The use of household pennants is a common tradition in Finland. A household pennant (Finnish: isännänviiri, Swedish: husbondsvimpel) can be flown whenever there is no flag day and it is traditionally a means of telling that the "master of the house" is at home. These pennants have a long, narrow, triangular shape. Length of the pennant is usually half the length of the flag pole and the width of the base is roughly one tenth the pennants length.[1] A crossbar is attached to the base of the triangle which is linked the pole via a single lanyard. It gives the pennant the ability to revolve around its horizontal axis while flying. Thus, either side of the pennant may be seen and often symmetrical designs are used to avoid different mirroring.

Blue-cross pennant

Probably the most common design is the generally used blue-cross pennant, which is based on the flag of Finland. Unlike the national flag the blue-cross pennant and other household pennants are kept hoisted overnight. In addition to the traditional blue-cross and regional pennants there is a variety of designs of which any may be flown. These are usually family, city and municipality designs and designs reflecting a connection to a certain group.

Finnish regional household pennants

The different regions of Finland have been connected with some traditional colors (often from the coats of arms of the historical provinces of Finland and modern provinces), and these are often reflected in the household pennant. The pennants sometimes also incorporate the regional arm into the design. A common practice is to either fly the pennant of the region of residence or the pennant from which the family members come.

Pennant of Åland
Pennant of South Karelia
Pennant of Southern Ostrobothnia
Pennant of Tavastia
Pennant of Kainuu
Pennant of Karelia
Pennant of Central Ostrobothnia
Pennant of Central Finland
Pennant of Kymenlaakso
Pennant of Lapland
Pennant of Northern Ostrobothnia
Pennant of Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia
Pennant of Swedish-speaking Uusimaa/Nyland
Pennant of Satakunta
Pennant of Savonia
Pennant of Uusimaa
Pennant of Southwest Finland

Other household pennants

Swedish-speaking Finns

See also

References

  1. Finnish "husband" pennants Flags of the World

External links

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