#22 The Danish Pioneer’s Countdown to Christmas 2014: Why are there Danish Flags on the Christmas Tree?
Across Oceans, Across Time ® . . . Why are there Danish Flags on the Christmas Tree?
By Nick Kofod Mogensen, Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn, Iowa
A classic amongst Danish Christmas tree decorations is the Danish flag – “Dannebrog”. The tradition has roots in the 1850’s when Denmark had just won the First Schleswig War. In order to strengthen the national pride that followed the war, in 1854 ordinary Danes were allowed to fly the Danish flag – until then, a privilege reserved for the army, state and royal family.
The happy days of victory were short. In 1864, the Second Schleswig War brought a disastrous defeat, in which Denmark lost Schleswig-Holstein to Prussia. The humiliation didn’t crush the national pride, though, but might actually have made it stronger. Under the motto: “What has been lost outwards will be won inwards”, a focus on national coherence and solidarity was born, and for this the Danish flag was used in many new ways.
The Christmas tree became popular in Denmark at around the same time, and the two traditions merged. To this day, many Christmas trees are decorated with Danish flags.
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