Iceland Flag
Flag Date of Adoption
30 November 1918
Flag Symbolism
blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)Blue represents the color of the Atlantic Ocean. Red represents their links to Norway. White represents the snow and ice that covers the island most of the year.
Iceland National Anthem
| Listen to National Anthem | |
| Anthem History | adopted 1944; also known as "O, Gud vors lands" (O, God of Our Land), the anthem was originally written and performed in 1874 |
| Anthem Lyrics |
Lofsöngur (þjóðsöngurinn) |
| Anthem Lyrics English |
O God of Our land, Our land is God, We worship thy holy name, thy holy name >From the solar systems of the heavens bind for you a wreath, Your warriors the assembly of the ages For the is one day as a thousand years, and a thousand years is a day and no more. One small flower of eternity with a quivering that prays to it's god and dies Iceland's thousand years, Iceland's thousand One small flower of eternity with a quivering that prays to it's god and dies
Other English text version Our Country's God, Our Country's God We worship thy holy name, in it's wonder sublime The sons of thy heaven are set in thy crown by the legions, the ages of time. For thee is each day as a thousand years, and each thousand years, but a day. Eternity's flower with an homage of tears, that reverently prays life away. Iceland's thousand years, Icelands thousand Eternity's flower with a quivering tear, that prays to it's god and dies. Second and third verse (not used often) 2. O God, Our God, We bow to thee Our spirits most fervent we place in thy care. Lord God of our fathers, from age unto age, we are breating our holiest prayer We pray and we thank thee a thousand years for safely protected we stand We pray and we bring thee our homage of tears our destiny rests in thy hand. Iceland thousand years, Iceland's thousand the hoarfrost of morning which tinted those thy sun rising high shall command! 3. Our land is God, Our country's God, Our life is a feeble and quivering reed. We perish, deprived of thy spirit and light to redeem and uphold in our need. God, inspire us at morn' with thy courage and love, and lead through the days of our strife At evening send peace from thy heaven above, and safeguard our nation through life! Iceland's thousand years, Iceland thousand O prosper our people diminish our tears, and guide us in thy wisdom through life! |