English: Flag of Norway In 1844 a union badge combining Norwegian and Swedish colors was placed at the hoist of both countries' flags. The badge was popularly called Sildesalaten ("the herring salad") from its resemblance to a herring salad. Initially, the union flag was popular in Norway, since it clearly denoted the equal status of the two united states. But as the union with Sweden became increasingly less popular, the Norwegian parliament abolished the union badge from the national (merchant) and state flags in 1899. At the dissolution of the union in 1905, the badge was removed from the navy flag as well. Sweden kept it in all flags until 1905.