What makes a good flag? (no spam)

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 6:08 pm

Since the flag is a symbol of a nation then I think it has to mean something at least to the people under it. I guess this is my measure for what makes a good flag. Also i think that it should be easy to draw your flag.

I have to admit that I’m interested to see if there a story behind each nations flag. So I’ll give some details on the Greek flag.

The cross represents the religion of the nations, which is Christianity. The 9 stripes represent the number of syllabus of a Greek phrase “Åëåõèåñßá Þ ÈÜíáôïò” with means “Freedom or Death” or “Liberty or Death”. As for the colours, they represent, in short, the blue seas of Greece and the white colour of the waves.

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 7:09 pm

Where are you guys getting these flag pictures from?

I particularly like the welsh flag, the dragon is a great piece of art. So neat and... dragon ish. I can't explain why.

Canada's flag has yet to be mentioned. Albeit I am Canadian (say a word about beer and I will find you

) but I really like it. The red on either side represent the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and the white represents the purity of our soil, which was more or less unspoiled when the flag was created.
How things have changed.

The maple leaf, is a symbol of us. I guess the same as the dragon, just in leaf form. I think part of the flags niceness to me is the fact I love my country and couldn't bear to see a different flag. Red and White look good together though. America screwed it up with blue. Blue just sound better. Red White and Blue.

I like flags that have a symbolic meaning, that have been forged from a war. A flag that at one point was a banner of soldiers has a particular appeal for me, and thus, I like the american flag.

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 7:39 pm

Originally posted by Obsidian
Where are you guys getting these flag pictures from?

Here is the site I got mine from.

(I like the dragn as well)

Flags

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 5:21 am

I admit to being rather partial to flags that feature some unusual image, like a globe, a building, or an animal. They stand out more frmo the usual collection of geometric shapes.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 5:31 am

Or maybe perhaps...

Originally posted by fable
I admit to being rather partial to flags that feature some unusual image, like a globe, a building, or an animal. They stand out more frmo the usual collection of geometric shapes.

...unusual flag shapes?

I think the Nepalese flag is interesting.

Rob-hin · Post by **Rob-hin** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 5:41 am

I don't really like our flag...

It looks almost the same as the frensh flag and many many more.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 5:50 am

Interestingly...

Originally posted by Rob-hin
I don't really like our flag...

It looks almost the same as the frensh flag and many many more.

...Thailand and Costa Rica (respectively) also seemed to be "mirror images(?)"

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 5:54 am

Re: Or maybe perhaps...

Originally posted by Maharlika
...unusual flag shapes?
I think the Nepalese flag is interesting.

Yes, I agree. In fact, it was one of the flags I was thinking of.

RandomThug · Post by **RandomThug** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 7:01 am

late, albiet i tend to be

Alright then... I didnt know I needed to clarify.

What makes a good flag? In my opinion its the same essence of what makes a good song. Sure some songs are pretty and look good, but a great song has meaning to it.

While the American Flag is in many aspects boring (I have seen many Patriotic websites rank it lower then others, based on visual appeal alone) I believe that it stands for something great. The thirteen stripes showing respect for the past, the stars showing pride in the present. While YES my motives are swayed a bit by patriosm, I would say that the japanese flag to me is also a great flag. Strong and powerful. A very simple flag for a very complicated people.

There ya go fable.

thug

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 7:28 am

But @RandomThug, wouldn't you agree that every nation chooses its flag because (whatever any particular critic may say) it stands for "something great?" I'm sure the French would claim that. So would the Pakistani, the Russians, the Bolivians, the New Zealanders. I guess what I'm saying is, if the thing a flag stands for is always something great--as it appears to be--doesn't that leave us liking every flag?

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 9:47 am

At the time I don't think the Irish were fully in the brittish isels and wales was late...

Did you know that the Irish flag is like that because when they went to there for the first time a man said "The first person to touch this island will own it" So someone cut of there hand a threw it at ireland.

RandomThug · Post by **RandomThug** » Mon Jul 15, 2002 9:53 am

Hmmph

I see your point... No country is going to say thier flag is representing something minimal...

Im going back to the musical reference I made.

Most people who write/have written for them crappy songs will defend it claiming its meanings and how profound it is etc etc. Like the backstreet boys and such. While we all (see those with slight intelligence) ((Even if I mispell all the time)) know it is really just crap.

In that essence one could examine other countries flags and reasons why they are. I am not knowledgeable about the choosing process of other country's flags... but I do know someone posted something about frances flag and Napoleons favorite color or something... not quite sure. In that theory my opinion would be not so grand on that particular flag.

I find it hard (yes it is because of my patrotic blinding goggles) to bash the u.s. flag in any sense, even if it is boring in comparison to others... but the truth IMHO is what I stated.

In artistic terms I am not being fair, because I am basing why I like it based on its representation rather than its apperance. But like i stated, I am going to need to have someone else point out the bad facts about the U.S. flag first.... then I will comment (dont worry if you have a valid point, i will agree)

thug

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 4:40 pm

I think a good flag should be both aestethically appealing, and symbolising a message (cultural, historical, moral or whatever) that is connected to that contry.

Visually, I like Kazachstans, Nepals and South Koreas flags.

South Korea:

Another of my favorites is Greenland:

I also agree with Sleep that the Welsh flag is nice, and that the beautiful dragon should have been part of Union Jack. As is it now, all parts of the UK except Wales, are included in the flag.

Azeroth · Post by **Azeroth** » Tue Jul 16, 2002 5:46 pm

Personally I like Mexico's flag.