Scandinavian Banner

This banner is part of the Migration Museum's Community Banners project, 'Memories and Dreams'. It is symbolic of Scandinavian immigrants' experiences in South Australia.
This banner is made using applique techniques to depict typical Scandinavian scenes. The banner is loosely divided into four sections. The first section depicts a blue sky with white clouds over green, grey and brown mountains reminiscent of Finland, Norway and Iceland.
The second section is of Sweden. On the left is a Swedish cottage made from red corduroy with a picket fence and bushes. On the right is a forest and fjord. Below is a green sloping hill and three white sheep with black faces representing Swedish agriculture.
The third section is of Denmark. The yellow cornfield, the fallow fields and the timber represent Danish industries. Below this on a green background are two brown and white cows and on the right, a white cottage with a yellow thatched roof. Hollyhocks depicted in front of the house are seen throughout Denmark. There are also shrubs on the left and right in the foreground. The flat Danish landscape is represented by the horizontal divisions in this section.
The fourth section is of blue water and a fishing boat with two masts, flags and a fishing net. Fishing is an activity common to all Scandinavian countries. At the bottom of the banner 'Scandinavia' is cross-stitched in blue on a white background. Running down two thirds of the left side of the banner is a grey and white birch tree with green leaves; birch trees grow throughout Scandinavian countries. Running down the bottom third at the left of the banner is a gum tree with green leaves symbolising Australia.