Apr 28, 2012

Tierra del Fuego (Argentina)

Is there a line between which design should be considered exotic in a flag and which shouldn't? It's hard to decide if there is, and harder to say what would be this line. For me, it's just a question about how pretty would be the final result. Why am I saying this? Because the today's flag has a pattern different from any other I know, but it's pretty charming and interesting. Going to the pont, this is the flag:


















What's the pattern of this flag? A division with the shape of a albatross silhouette. The albatross isn't just a local bird, but a symbol of freedom too. The orange division is like the stylized form of Argentinian part of Tierra del Fuego (that's shared with Chile), too.

Another thing I like in this flag is the colors scheme. The orange represents fire, because "Tierra del Fuego" means "Fire Land" or "Land of Fire"; accidentally, it's a great color to represent the southernmost part of American continent, because orange contrast really well with ice. The blue is, naturally, for the sky and the sea. The Southern Cross is because, as I said, it's really in the South.

And, moreover, it's a great combination!

Just a little funny note: when I said South, it's really South! The province has claims to Falklands and neighbor British islands, as well to a slice of Antarctic. And the more ironical: would you believe if I say that the Antarctic Treaty office is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina?

Apr 23, 2012

Barbados


















Some flags I learned to like while knowing more about their symbologies and histories, other were love at first sight... Barbados is the second case. However, it's not just a beautiful design, but a beautiful symbol, too.

Imagine what a Caribbean paradise flag should be, and Barbados' might be it. The colors: blue from the sea, gold from the sand. A layout that's simple and powerful below the mighty sun. The symbol: a trident. It would be the Neptune attribute, but has a more meaningful origin.

When Barbados was a British colony, it used to have a Brittania in badge. When the island became independent, addopted "a half trident", representing the autonomy from British Crown. But, so, the fact that makes me more fascinated about this country: it's still in Commonwealth!