But from an aesthetic and sartorial perspective, a flag can make or break a country when it comes to style. A number of years ago (1999?), I was very much amused to find Josh Matthews’ review of all the national flags in the world. I must admit, that I like his method, and think that he makes some very good points. At the very least, clicking the link to see his grading of national flags will give you a compact page featuring all the flags for your perusal.
Of course, flags are not limited to countries, so feel free to include sub-state flags if you wish. So with this in mind, please consider my two pronged question of the day:
- Do you have a favourite flag?
- Is there a flag that makes you blush at the blatancy of its fashion faux pars?
14 comments:
1. The shortlist of favourites includes Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Israel, Japan, Somalia, and Vietnam. You can probably see that I like balance in a flag, and simple colour schemes from this group. If pushed (and it’s a close run thing), I’d probably pick Israel as the winner, on a coin toss with Japan. Distinctive, simple, and kids can draw it.
2. The list of dislikes is far, far longer (isn’t it always). I hold special place for the Australian flag, which strikes me as so tremendously uninspired that it offends me. That said, I’m wary of changing it, as there appear a whole country full of people who would probably put something stupid like a cartoon kangaroo dressed in green and gold (urghh).
Then there are what Josh (in the link on the main post) calls the “corporate” and “clip art” flags. For my money, you know that when you say “I can’t pick Guam”, that you know that the flag of the Northern Mariana Islands must be truly, truly awful. I'm going to have to agree with Josh's assessment on this one.
Of larger countries, well, you know that if you rip off the Australian flag, and make it worse, you’ve got a dud on your hands. Congratulations New Zealand!
1. As I perused the flags and picked ones I liked..I began to realise I have a leaning towards ones with stars! So no surprise that my favourite is CHINA. Others I like are Israel, Vietnam, Morocco, Somalia and for something different I rather fancy Lebanon's. That may have something to do with the fact that I see it all the time at school...as we have a large contingent of Lebanese descended kiddies who display their heritage with pride. Also the Cedar is my 'birth tree'.
And I must confess...I miss the 'hammer and sickle' which would have been my fave (coz it also had a star!)
2.Don't like our Aussie flag...get rid of the reference to our colonial past. I rather like the Aboriginal flag better. Dislike intensely (hate the word hate) our State flags...crap!
I had to come over to see the woman who actually broke a toe whilst bringing in the wash! And I thought I was accident prone! I of course love our flag and despise seeing it worn on heads, butts or chests...it is to fly damn it, not be used as clothing. I also love the Union Jack and the flag of Australia...the flag of Equador is interesting...I don't really dislike any flag. Maybe I'll go take another peek at the flags of the world and pick one to pick on, lol!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment...
Sandi
What an original post. Favourite flag has to be the Union Jack - I'm a Brit, of course.
Good to see xkcd again....
Yes, I admit the cool, clean appeal of the simplest designs. Japan's is practically perfect. The sheer audacity of Libya's is inarguable. The Nordic cross flags, especially Denmark's naval standard (snake's tongue!) and the flag of Shetland, are favorites. In the same mold is the flag of Cornwall. But oddly enough, the flag of Maryland fascinates me!
The absolute worst flag has got to be from the now extinct Benin Kingdom.
FLAGS I DO LIKE
China
former USSR
Somalia
Saudi Arabia
Pakistan
I also always liked the "collect the set" design of the Scandanavian flags..
FLAGS I DON'T LIKE
Rwanda - for the giant "R"
Uganda - for the chicken
Bhutan - does this flag actually smell like incense?
Qatar - the flag dedicated to the humble crinkle cut chip...
There once was a time when I was sailing around the world and made my own courtesy flags (flag of the country whose waters you sail into)which is cheaper than to buy. I used to hate all these complicated Carribean island flags that had writing or drawings on them.
A flag must be simple in design and have no more than three colours.
I'm very upset he calls Nepal a "bad shape", I find their inspirational use of triangles fantastic, and impossible for Grandmas to knit (unless they are super clever)...
My favorite national flag is the flag of Botswana. It's so simple, and symbolic, and you can't fly it upside-down. My favorite island flag (out of so many of them) is probably that of Nauru. It's beautiful and to the point, and it makes a great first impression of the island.
My favorite flag ever? Well, that's a hard one. It might very well be the flag of Denver or the District of Columbia.
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As for flags that make me LOL because of their stupidity, there are too many to name, so for now, I'll just give some examples.
Nebraska
Moorpark, California
British Indian Ocean Territory
For even more, check out my blog Good Flag, Bad Flag or another blog Badflags. ;-)
Boring answers from me:
1. Nope
2. Nope
winner = kenya
special mentions to:
Bhutan
Cambodia
costa rica
greece
trinidad
& special *thumbs up* to Libya
Not a fan of Rwanda.
I mean come on people!
Kris I would have to say i like the Italian Flag like the colours green white and red plus like the vertical bands
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