Fukui (Japan), Saga (Japan)

Japanese flags! Didn't you think that Japanese people, always surprising the "Western civilization", would have ordinary flags? Actually it has a rich and consolidated tradition about flags. Let's start with a good example: the flag of Saga prefecture.

It's positively a great flag! I like too much radial symmetry in flags, and it's a great example of it. It's simple, everybody could easily guard all details in memory and after all reproduce them. The flag represents camphor flower, in format of mon (see definition below). The white color represents justice, while red is for passion and loyalty. As a whole, the flag represents "a highly developing harmony".

A "mon" is a stylized figure used as familiar or personal insignia, similarly to Western crests and badges. Click here to confer a gallery of mons.

Now, I'll show the beautiful Fukui prefecture flag, that'll be used to explain other tradition on Japanese flags.

This flag is very colorful, isn't it? Japanese flags are very colorful, usually bicolor or tricolor. Every color can be used in Japanese flags, including some tones that are rare in West, like grey, brown, purple, teal, buff, brownish-green and rose color.

You may be asking yourself "What's this symbol?". This mon is a stylized version of Fukui name transcription in katakana ("フクイ"). A very common technique on these flags is use the name of the entity (or their first syllables) and stylize it as a mon.

I hope you liked the flags and the text. Your comment is welcome, and you're free to ask, suggest, praise, criticize or give your opinion.

Olympic flag

The Olympic flag is a cultural icon, seen in almost everything related to sports and competitiveness. The flag is shrouded in myths, and I probably couldn't remember all of them, but I'll try to clarify the most famous. It's used since the seventh modern Olympic Games (Antwerp, 1920), although it is some years early (remembering that 1916 Olympics didn't occur). Its creator is Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of modern Olympics. It's the flag:

The five rings represent more probably the five continents. The position and color of each meaning is defined.

OK, coming to the myth #1: each color represents one continent. The answer is: depends... Although  it isn't the original meaning, it appears in the Olympic official handbook. There's even an official explanation to the colors: blue for Europe, yellow for Asia, black for Africa, green for Oceania and red for Americas.

Myth #2: the rings are based in ancient symbols found in Delphi. Absolute myth, but there's a funny explanation to it! Before the 1936 Olympic games, the torch passed in Delphi. To commemorate the occasion, a milestone was constructed and put on the Delphi ruins. It was never removed, until two British historians found it in 1950, creating a great confusion.

So let me tell what's almost certain about the origin of Olympic symbols. The rings are inspired by the logo of USFSA (the French Olympic representative), where Pierre de Coubertin took part and could easily borrow the symbol. About the colors (including white background), they came from the national flags of each country that competed on that time. See a quote by Baron de Coubertin, in 1912:

...the six colours [including the flag’s white background] thus combined reproduce the colours of all the nations, with no exception. The blue and yellow of Sweden, the blue and white of Greece, the tri- colours of France, England and America, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, the yellow and red of Spain next to the novelties of Brazil or Australia, with old Japan and new China. Here is truly an international symbol.

Would he joke? The "color-for-continents" theory isn't truth, so you can't absolutely say "yes" or "no".

This is it. I hope you liked the text. Please, leave your comment (positive, neutral or negative).

Norway

Today I'll talk about Nordic cross flags. After all, what are their magic? The example I chose isn't the older Nordic cross flag (Denmark adopted its flag in 1219), but I personally prefer three color Nordic crosses, and Norway flag is the older in this aspect (1821). Pay attention on this beautiful flag:

About the meaning, nothing too special: blue, white and red were the colors used by France and USA, countries that, at time, were considered democracy and freedom examples. There's a theory saying that red is for Denmark and blue for Sweden, two countries Norway has important historic relationships. Anyway they're perfect together in a Nordic cross.

Returning to the question I asked on the started of this text: why Nordic crosses are so special? They're highly geometric, what takes a lot of points; they're on limit between symmetry and asymmetry, what makes them sound enigmatic — and enigmas, of course, attracts human brains.

Oh, let me talk a little about the origin of Nordic cross flags. As I said, the first was the Danish flag, that, according to the legend, fell from the sky, what doesn't explains too much. But, if you observe, if flown vertically (and they are, when used as gonfalones), they form a Latin cross [✝], an obvious reference to Christianity — some flags, including Norwegian one, explicit this reference on official explanations.

I made this post to compensate the absence last week. I know you probably like Nordic crosses (everybody likes), so what about tell more about it on the comments? Thanks in advance.

Sardinia (Italy)

In my other blog about flags, I posted a proposal to a new Aragon flag. Studying the possibilities, I found the Sardinia flag. It's below:

There's two answers to the origin of this flag. The Spanish tradition says it was first flown after the victory in the Battle of Alcoraz (1096), between Aragonese and the Moors (here's the association with Aragon). The St. George's cross was used because the saint appeared to help Aragonese army, and the four Moor heads represented the defeated enemies. According to Sardinian tradition, the flag is older (from 1017), attributed by the pope to the Pisans in order to help Sardinian against the Sarracens.

Why am I talking about this specific flag? Because it remembered me about the legendary origin of the use of flags. Whitney Smith, in his famous book "Flags Through the Ages and Across the Time", stated that probably the first "vexilloid" (something like a "proto-flag") possibly was made with a blooded cloth was put on the top of a spear to scare the enemy.

In truth, the oldest flags generally have origin as a cloth to be carried on battles and wars, or else as made by enemies' blood. The Austrian flag and senyera (used in Catalan countries) were on second category. The Danish flag was "received from God" during a battle. Other example ais the blutfahne or blutbanner ("blood flag"), a solid red flag used in Holy Roman Empire by the feudal lords and made with blood of men sentenced by the Blutgericht ("Blood Court"). All of them were created before 13th century.

In the Middle Ages, it could make sense, but killing people to create flag is a unacceptable practice by current moral, fortunately. And some people see the Moor head (also used in Corsican flag) as racist manifestations. And today I presented something like "the secret story of the flags". I hope you liked!

Your comment is very important: it's your way to praise, criticize, suggest or express your opinion. Please, leave your comment.

Element of flags: color palettes

When you're talking about flag, "coincidences" sometimes aren't what they look like. Many times a flag is intentionally similar to another, when the first taking the second as inspiration. An example easy to notice and study are the color combinations. Some flags are very influential, in the sense that's took as base to many newer flags. Here you can see some of them, grouped by the inspiration.

Pan-African colors

There's two palettes of colors known as pan-African colors: one is composed by red, yellow and green, while the other contains red, black and green.

The first set of color (green, yellow and red) is inspired by the flag of Ethiopian Empire.

This three colors have been specially used in Ethiopia since about 17th century, but the flag was only adopted in 1897. The meaning of the colors is disputed, but generally it's said that red is for the blood spilled in defense of Ethiopia , yellow is for the peace and harmony between Ethiopian ethnic and religious groups, and green for hope or land's fertility. The insignia in the middle of the flag is the Lion of Judah, used because the Ethiopian Dynasty claimed to have ancestry from King Solomon and Queen of Sheba, being named Solomonic Dynasty.

As Ethiopia, with exception of a brief period of Italian rule, resisted strongly to European colonization, many countries adopted this colors when gained independence from European countries, as symbol of sovereignty. They are also much used by the Rastafari Movement.

Other set of colors also known as "Pan-African colors" are composed by red, black and green, derived from UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement Association) flag.

The UNIA was founded by Afro-American activist Marcus Garvey, in 1920. It's commonly said that red stands for African blood, black for the African people and green for continent's fertility. It was adopted as an   unofficial "Afro-American" flag and many African countries inspired in it to create their own flags.

Countries in Americas with great African-descendant population, e.g. St. Kitts and Nevis and Grenada, also adopted pan-African colors. See a small flag chart with some African countries with pan-African colors in their flag history:

[Click on images to zoom]

Pan-Slavic colors

Other great flags family is from pan-Slavic. They use the colors red, white and blue. It's important to notice that not all flags with these colors has pan-Slavic inspiration (like France, USA and UK). They are inspired by the flag approved by Pan-Slav Congress of 1848 (occurred in Prague). The colors, associated with freedom and revolution (e.g. French flag) and the same of Russian flag, were chose in a great number of Slavic countries. See the pan-Slavic flag and a flag chart with flags inspired by it.

Pan-Arab colors

Here's a challenge: can you say right now, without assistance, the differences between Kuwait and Jordan flags? You probably don't; if you can, congratulations, because flags of some Arab countries are very hard to be distinguished by non-Arabs. The reason is simple: they all have the same matrix, in this case the flag used during the Arab Revolt (1916-1918). Look at the flag:

The Arab revolt was an attempt to create an unified Arab country under territories of Ottoman Empire (ruled by ethnic Turks). The flag used during the revolt, considered Arab nationalist, was immediately adopted as symbol of Arab identity. See a set of recognized and unrecognized countries that adopt this colors:

It's important to notice that non-Arab Muslim countries, like Afghanistan and Pakistan, don't adopt this colors.

Pan-Iranian colors

Many flags are commonly thought to represent the pan-Arab colors, but actually represents the pan-Iranian colors, used by Persian people, majority in Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. They're based in Persian flag (nowadays Iran); this one is from before 1906 (date unknown).

The small flag chart below show some flags using pan-Iranian colors:

Colors of Federal Republic of Central America

The Federal Republic of Central America (1823-1838) was a good attempt to hold together previous Spanish colonies in Central America, but the union disbanded, although until today they have friendship relationships and there were other attempts of reunification, e.g. the Greater Republic of Central America (1896-1898). See the flag of the Federal Republic:

The color of these flags are blue and white (Costa Rica added the red).

Colors of Gran Colombia

Finally, the last color-based flag family. In a similar case to Central America, the ex-constituent countries of Gran Colombia (officially Republic of Colombia; 1819-1831) adopted the colors of these countries. The unification ideology, influenced by the ideas of liberator Simón Bolívar, is having some voice last years. Gran Colombia used many flags, being the flag below the first and most famous of them:

The colors that defines this family are yellow, blue and red. Bolivia changed the blue by the green. See the flags of this family:

Ending...

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European Union v. USA and Brazil

Brazilian and American flags have a great problem in common: the number of stars. This post will talk about this issue, and how European Union took the right decision to avoid the problem.

The Brazilian flag is, by far, one of more easily distinguishable: the yellow rhombus on green field is pretty unique between the national flags. The biggest problems with it is the writing, that may ever be avoided in a flag, and a extremely complex set of 27 stars, organized between the most seem constellations in Southern Hemisphere. The number of stars reflects the 26 states and the Federal District. When the flag was first designed, in 1889, the number of stars was 21, as was the number of federated states (counting the Federal District). Since then, the flag have the number of stars changed three times. The stars and the motto makes the flag very complicated to be correctly made.

Now, we'll talk about other extreme case: the flag of United States of America (it's important to note that the first Brazilian Republican flag was inspired in this one):

The national American have is composed of thirteen horizontal stripes (seven are red and six are white) and a  blue canton with fifty stars, representing the fifty American states (the District of Columbia isn't in account). Since the design with stars were firstly adopted, in 1776, the number of stars were officially changed 26 times — the flag has been changed in an average interval of nine years! Positively fifty is a great number to any element of a flag. Compare with the famous "Betsy Ross flag", with only thirteen stars:

Wouldn't be easier if the number of stars were fixed since then? Or if this design returns? Aesthetically, yes, but probably many people would disagree. This kind of solution was adopted by European Union flag, originally adopted by Council of Europe, in 1955.

The flag consists in a blue field, inspired by the flag of Paneuropean Union (see its flag now and then), and twelve golden stars in a golden arrangement. These elements sometimes remembers the way Virgin Mary is depicted in Book of Revelations (see example), but it's hard to know if it was a real inspiration. The first proposal had fifteen stars, because then this was the number of member states of Council of Europe, but one of the members, the Saar Protectorate, was a disputed area, and West Germany objected the start for Saar. So they fixed the number of stars in twelve, because the number symbolizes perfection and has no special political connotation.

What's your opinion about the flags presented there, or the post content? Your comment is welcome!

Arica y Parinacota (Chile)

Some weeks ago I read a news that gave an idea to a new post on this blog: Microsoft, one of biggest enterprises in the world, changed its logo. Look at the new logo:

You may be thinking: OK, but what this have to do with flags? I can better answer you with a flag: the one of Arica and Parinacota Region, in Chile.




















It seems like Microsoft copied Arica and Parinacota logo or, more probably, the creators of the flag predicted some design trends. The two are recent: the province was only created in 2007.

This example shows perfectly that a flag can be a design piece. Unfortunately, this also shows that flag-making rules aren't necessarily identical to design rules. For example, writing is something that somebody with vexillologic knowledge would avoid.

In other hand, this model can be used as problem without major problems: some elements of the place are shown (llamas, a colonial building, a beach and mountains). It's distinguishable and can be used in many occasions (see the regional Manual of Graphic Norms). At least, still this design become old-fashioned: see the flag of Newfoundland and Labrador and you'll know better the problem — being sincere, probably Labrador and Newfoundland flag never looked good.

Thank you for reading. Every comment is welcome.

Switzerland

Who owns a flag? Technically, with exception of private flags, about 90% of all flags are in public domain, i.e., the subject represented by the flag doesn't gain royalties by the use of it. It's the main reason flags can be seen everywhere: at Internet, on magazines and newspapers, etc., although commonly they're protected of being used in merchandises, but you still can see it.

Today I'll speak about a successful example: Switzerland. See the flags (first is national flag, second is the civil and state ensign):

The flag of Switzerland is good: simple, easy to be remembered. And it's almost impossible not associate the Swiss flag with this symbol-products: Swiss Army knives, clocks, chocolate. For instance, look at the trademarks of two official Swiss Army knives manufacturers: Victorinox and Wenger.

If it's right or not, it's not the question; the truth is that flags, principally when they're easily distinguishable, can still favor national economy!

Did you liked the post? No? Your opinion is welcome on comments. By the way, answer me: in your country, is there any enterprise that associates its products to national flag?

Nauru

The today's flag is very beautiful and has an awesome symbolism: it's Nauru, an island in Pacific Ocean that constitutes a country only bigger than Monaco and Vatican City. However, its flag is worthy of a great nation!

This flag has many characteristics of a great flag: good geometric layout, contrasting colors, simplicity, originality, etc.

It's alright, isn't it? Now let me talk a little about Nauru flag history and symbolism. It was adopted in 1968, being designed by an Australian flag manufacturer. The blue represents, in some way, the ocean. The yellow line represents the Equator, and the white represents the island position just below the Equator. The star is white, representing the phosphate — the great wealth of island in the past —, and is twelve-pointed as expressing the twelve original tribes that have inhabited the country.

What's your opinion about Nauru flag? Please, leave your comment.

Element of flags: The Southern Cross

Today I'll write about the Southern Cross (also know by its scientific name, "Crux"), a symbol present in flags, coat of arms and other design issues from everywhere in Southern Hemisphere. Maybe, you, in Northern Hemisphere, want to know: what do you see in special in Southern Cross? Myself, a Brazilian, could answer: everything.

[Note: This flag is from Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil. For me, the simplest demonstration of Crux majesty]

Firstly, it's important what the Southern Cross means: the South, its ancestors and its lands. During the Antiquity, it was visible in southern Europe and other similar locations. But, in the transition to Middle Ages, approximately, the change of Earth axial inclination hided it until, at least, some thousands of years.

The first time the Southern Cross was saw again by an European was in 1500, during the Discovery of Brazil, by Portuguese astronomer João Faras. Since then, navigators adopted the Crux in the same way the land natives was using it since immemorial times: as a reference mark to Southern Pole (my post about Antarctic flags shows one flag refering to this fact). And it's as a symbol of geographic position that the Southern Cross is used in flags, etc. See a small gallery with some of these flags:

[Click on image to zoom]

The Southern Cross is frequently seen in flags of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, and it's featured in many of Australia and New Zealand proposals to new flags.

I'm a great fan of Southern Cross, but I must to tell a bad note: the Southern Cross is tattooed, in Australia, with a connotation of  nationalism that sometimes comes near xenophobia. However, I think until many Australia recognizes the Southern Cross as the incredible symbol it is.

If you want to give your opinion about the post or the Southern Cross use in flags, feel free to comment. Thank you!