GameBanshee Forums

What makes a good flag?

I got to thinking about this, not because of America's Independence Day, but because the nearest metropolis, Philadelphia, has several downtown avenues whose every block sports a different national flag. No doubt it's tied to the city leaders' desire to appear as "the Friendly City" (which is one of the phrases traditionally used to describe Philly, but really applies to its 18th century incarnation). Still, it's a nice touch. My wife and I were expressing pleasure and mock-disapproval of various flags, and I got to wondering what makes, in different peoples' minds, an attractive or unattractive flag. Have at it.

My preference is for something clear and easy to see, but not simple and boring. Nothing personal against them, but I find the straight three colour flags of France, Germany, Spain and the like a bit too simple. On the other hand, some flags are just too cluttered (eg. Swaziland).

Personally I like this one:

Like it simple as well, like Japan or Turkey. And Angolas is a also favourite because of the colours used.

There are however flags with some detail wich looks decent imo. One of the is Kazakhstan.

I like flags which show a countries history such as Italy with its colour green because it was Napoleons favourite colour when he wanted it to be similar to Frances. Whilst I guess most flags actually do show their history through one way or another. I prefer the little interesting bits like the one mentioned above.

@Flibble I prefer the flag without the stars coloured red and with a big fat one below the Union Jack

IMO there are just colour combinations that go well together. Gold and red go together better than gold and blue, but silver and blue look better together than silver and red do, for example.

Just keep it simple. I don't want to count stars or the like....

Ours is SO easy that any 3-year old could draw it ....



No worries,

Beldin


EDIT - I also like THIS one:

It's nice and simple , too...

I think a flag should have something symbolic and unique to that country.
That's why I don't really like the three striped flags- there is nothing obviously symbolic about it, and there are a few of them.

This comes from living with it, but to me the Israeli flag is most heartening to see. It symbolizes the star of David, which has great historic meaning. It is very unique and noticable and yet not very complicated.
But this is, I'm sure what everyone feels about their own flag.

I don't know what makes it so, but I also realy like the Australian flag.

Don't shoot me or anything, but I happen to like this flag:



And actually Morlock, I like the Israeli flag too...

Not for being biased...

...but I DO like the flag of my country, the Philippines...

...allow me to explain as you can see...



... the equilateral triangle signifies equality for all...

... the sun has 8 rays that signify the first 8 provinces that revolted against the Spaniards near the last part of the 19th century...

... the three stars are for the three main groups of islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

... the blue field signifies peace and the red is for war... during peace time the blue field is above the red field, when we are at war the red field is the one on top...

... I like my country's flag because it's simple (easy to draw) yet not too plain simple that it's almost not interesting for me to look at. Also, there are other parts in the flag aside from the colors that show a part of the country's history.

I also like the concept of changing blue to red to blue on top depending on the nation's present state (at peace or at war)


Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Originally posted by Maharlika


... the equilateral triangle signifies equality for all...

So is it just the bad quality of that flag drawing that means the triangle isn't equilateral? Or is there some horrible slavery coup going on in the Philippines that means everyone is no longer equal...

It is nice, though, to know what all the elements of a flag stand for - everyone knows about the stars and stripes, and most know about the Union Jack:



It's the combination of the flag of St. George:

and the flag of St. Andrew:


which came together to make this flag:


And then we changed it a bit. Ho hum

Kammy...

Originally posted by Kameleon


So is it just the bad quality of that flag drawing that means the triangle isn't equilateral? Or is there some horrible slavery coup going on in the Philippines that means everyone is no longer equal...

...you rotten scoundrel, you!

Never actually took noticed of the "unequal unilateral triangle" ... always thought that they were equal.

It's an isoceles then... (hmmm... some are more equal than others?... )

...horrible slavery group? Nah... just a bunch of morons running the show, who love to grandstand but less affirmative actions...

However, what makes our flag attractive too IMO, is how it looks like while being elegantly waved by the wind.

EDIT- Sorry, fable! I hope that you didn't consider my post as spam

The British flag has always confused me, we have four nations in the British Isles yet there are only two represented on the flag, seems quite insensitive in many ways, why not stick a dragon in the middle?

Originally posted by Mr Sleep
The British flag has always confused me, we have four nations in the British Isles yet there are only two represented on the flag, seems quite insensitive in many ways, why not stick a dragon in the middle?

Didn't you know? There is one...quite small, but bang in the middle. Oh, and it's the same red as St. George's... Can't you see it???

I know this sounds a bit nationalistic of me but i think the Welsh flag is the greatest of all flags, it is striking and bold (a lot better than that wishy washy UK and English flag )

@Kam Get back in the knife drawer you cheeky geezer

Originally posted by Mr Sleep
I know this sounds a bit nationalistic of me but i think the Welsh flag is the greatest of all flags, it is striking and bold (a lot better than that wishy washy UK and English flag )

Bizarrely enough, I agree with you. However if you want to stick a whopping great dragon and a green field on the Union Jack, you'll have to do it yourself

Best flag of all time? Libya. It's a green...rectangle

@ Kam

You forgot the St.Patrick

Hmm so I did...apologies to Irish people at large



I knew there was another bit missing off the Union Jack...

Originally posted by Kameleon
Don't shoot me or anything, but I happen to like this flag:

A great flag...as long as the KKK doesn't have it in their hands.



The Alabama Flag

Originally posted by Mr Sleep

The British flag has always confused me, we have four nations in the British Isles yet there are only two represented on the flag, seems quite insensitive in many ways, why not stick a dragon in the middle?

Three are represented LOL!! since when would it matter to the Welsh if they are included on the flag or not? Come to that, the Scottish and the Irish are probably non-bothered either - even the Cornish deny their allegiance!

@RandomThug, this isn't a thread for patriotism, and I'd rather not see it degenerate into one where everybody feels called upon to take sides. This is a thread that's simply about what makes a good flag. Feel free to contribute on that subject, but please, let's keep it *on* subject. No spam, like the topic says. Thanks.

...and if you would like to seriously contribute, then tell us, please, what is it about the American flag that makes it visually more appealing than others.

EDIT: Since there was no reply from RandomThug, his spam post has been removed.