The national flag of Denmark is more commonly known as the Dannebrog. The name means "Danish cloth". The Dannebrog is red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side. The cross design of the Danish flag was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries; Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland.
According to ancient tradition, the flag was not made by humans but fell from the Heavens during the battle of Reval[?] (modern day Tallinn in Estonia), in 1219. The flag of Latvia, even though not depicting a cross, also trace its origins to the colors from the battle of Reval.
The old coat of arms of Lübeck was red with a white cross. The first Danish king known by a white crossed flag was also king of Lübeck.