Nordic Cross Flag - Flags of Latvia

Flags of Latvia

Large parts of today's Latvia have been under Swedish and also Danish rule. Many territories in Latvia have begun using Nordic cross flags. Sometimes this is done to bolster the locality's association with the Scandinavian states (and, as with the proposed flag of Latvia, to assert a Baltic identity over a long-standing affiliation with the Russian sphere of influence.)

Swedish historian Carl-Gustav Liljenberg suggests that Erik XIV of Sweden adopted the blue and yellow cross coat of arms of the city of Riga in 1562, in order to incorporate Riga's important trade system with the Swedish. There is also some evidence that the flag of Scania has its origin in the Archdiocese of Riga. The diocese's yellow coat of arms on a red background derives its origin from Albert de Buxhoevden (Bishop of Riga from 1199-1229), who founded both the diocese in 1201 and the Order of the Sword in 1202. Andreas Sunesen adopted this coat of arms as his own and that of the Archdiocese of Lund.

• Flag of the short-lived Baltic Duchy
• Flag of Alūksne, Latvia
• Flag of Cēsis, Latvia
• Flag of Ventspils, Latvia
• Presidential Standard of Latvia