Why are Norwegian Houses painted Red?

I will tell you the answer. There are a lot of red houses in Norway. We want to know why they are painted red, and we’ll be happy to share them with everybody who wants to know!

When the country was open for immigration, all men had to build their houses themselves. The red color is seen as lucky color in many cultures. It was common in Asia, and I think it ‘was also a sign to say that the house is occupied.

Many Norwegians are still proud of their Norwegian heritage but keep some culture from their old home countries.

It could be true that Norway doesn’t always enjoy good weather in the summertime. 

That’s why most Norwegians have skylights on their houses, which they call Vinduer. So it’s easy for Norwegians to open windows and enjoy the fresh air after some rainy day.

There is another theory about the reason why Norway has many red roofs. If we want to build a house in Norway, there must be a distance from our home to the nearest place. 

That’s why many houses have two or more stories. To save material and money, people chose to paint them red to look smaller than other buildings in the neighborhood because Norway is a country with big spaces!

Why are Norway houses red? 

Why are Norway houses red

Some people want to say that the Norway houses are red because of one day in 1814 when the Dano-Norwegian union was dissolved. 

The Danish king, Christian Frederick, gave his soldiers paint and ordered them to put red marks on the Norwegian flags so that Norwegians would know who they were fighting against.

Was it ever a requirement for Norwegian buildings to be painted red?

No, there was never any such requirement.

It has always been a free choice by the owners of buildings whether to choose red or not. 

But most Norwegians would likely paint their roofs red because many Norwegians still have some sentiment towards Denmark and want to show their difference from Danish culture. 

Norway was a Danish colony (1397–1814) for 600 years. My country and Denmark are close neighbors, but we have our own culture and language, separating us from the Danish people.

As I told you before, Norway has many red houses because it was free to decide whether to paint or not. 

But also about seven million people in Norway, the red color of their houses has nothing to do with those rumors.


Why are Scandinavian houses so Colourful?

Why are Scandinavian houses so Colourful

Roofs were painted in the old days to protect buildings from typhus-infected lice living in bird droppings on thatched roofs. The red color is particularly effective at keeping them at bay.

There is also a myth that when it was time to choose a husband or wife in the old days, neighbors would look at their roofs. If the house next door had a different color than yours, your neighbor would be an excellent choice to marry because you didn’t have similar taste and wouldn’t argue about this!

The rural folk saved paint by mixing in sheep dung. This led to the expression, “the house has been painted brown,” meaning it was renovated and now looks good.

A roof is an integral part of a building because it protects the interior from cold or hot weather conditions, rainstorms, or other dire circumstances. 

That’s why you have to choose good quality paint for your roof. When painting your house, decide on the color you want to have. Don’t think about it too much, and don’t rely only on superstitions or old stories. 

Just pick a color that gives pleasure to your eyes and will not harm the environment.

Was the tradition started by the Danish king?

No, it wasn’t started by the Danish king. It is probably a myth that has grown over time.

Do people in other Scandinavian countries have red houses?

Yes, but not as much as Norway. I think this is because of the weather in other Scandinavian countries.

How do Norwegians feel about their homes?

Many Norwegians are still proud of their Norwegian heritage but keep some culture from their old home countries. It could be true that Norway doesn’t always enjoy good weather in the summertime. 

That’s why most Norwegians have skylights on their houses, which they call Vinduer. So it’s easy for Norwegians to open windows and enjoy the fresh air after some rainy day.

How many are painted red?

About 80 percent of all houses are painted red. 

Do they have any particular names?

In some Norwegian dialects and rural regions, red houses are called “blodhus” (blood house). 

What does a red house mean?

A red house is sometimes a good luck symbol. It means that the owner has great energy and good protection from evil spirits.

The red color of their houses also says to others that they are open-minded people who want to share the culture of other countries with their neighbors.

Historically speaking, Norway had more than two million immigrants in the 19th Century. This is the reason why Norwegians have several cultures and why they are good collectors of different cultures.

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