A Strong visual profile is an important part of the identity of Nordic cooperation – the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) and the Nordic Council (NC). Nordic cooperation is symbolised by the Swan label which is refined by the logotype norden.

The history of the Swan label reaches back to the year 1936 when the five Nordic swans appeared first on a poster of Nordens Dag (Nordic Day). The swans hinted to a poem titled "The Nordic Swans" from Hans Hartvig Pedersen. A stamp with the five Nordic swans was launched in 1956. The swans inspired Finnish artist Kyösti Varis in creating the official symbol for Nordic cooperation in 1985 – a blue circle and a white swan with eight quills representing the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland) and three autonomous territories (Aland, Faroe Islands, Greenland). The Swan symbol is encircled by a white ring.

In 1989 another swan label grew out of the Swan label – a green swan which is a well-known environmental label in the Nordic countries nowadays.

In 2004, the Danish company Due Design AS was assigned to refine the Swan label to make it contemporary, simple and sturdy. The logotype norden was designed – the international common designation for cooperation in the NCM and NC.

In order to emphasise the Swan symbol there is a strictly fixed area around the label where it is not allowed to place other elements. The logo accentuates the sender and its continuous and correct exploitation helps to emphasise the Nordic organisations, institutions and projects both in the Nordic countries and on the international arena. It is prohibited to use the Swan label and logotype norden separately, as well as changing their appearances. Unauthorised persons are not allowed to use the logo and copying the logo is strictly prohibited.

The logo must be used on all the official publications of the NCM, NC and the Nordic Culture Fund. Other Nordic institutions, organisations and partners also have to use the logo according to the regulations written down in the design manual. All guidelines and a more concrete description of the graphic profile of both the NCM and NC can be found in the manual.

Download the logo:

• Print: in Estonian and in English
• Documents or Internet (300 dpi): in Estonian and in English
• Documents or Internet (600 dpi): in Estonian and in English
• E-mail or Internet without name of the office