My better half stumbled upon this today. It’s pretty much a Vexillophile’s dream. Enjoy.
Now politics does not usually play a part in this blog, that’s for elsewhere - but in all of this talk of Scottish independence, I can’t help but wonder what might happen to the United Kingdom’s Union Jack. In the February 2012 edition of Spectator Magazine, Nick Groom (professor in English at Exeter University and author of “The Union Jack”) attempted to explain why the UK will keep it’s flag: What happens to the Union Jack if Scotland regains independence? If Scotland leaves the Union, will the saltire of St Andrew (the diagonal white cross and blue background) be removed from the Union Jack? Absolutely not. The Union Jack is not a simplistic statement about the territories that form the United Kingdom—not least because it appears to overlook Wales. Rather it is a complex symbol that describes the history and compromises over centuries of international relations. In 1606, James VI ordered the design of the first “Union Flag” (pedants call it this still, but since the 17th century it has been commonly known as the “Union Jack,” the name endorsed by Parliament). The Union Jack is already anomalous as the red diagonal cross of St Patrick is in the design. Northern Ireland, though a Union province, is not a separate kingdom and so should not have this separate status on the flag. This is partly because Éire did not adopt the cross of St Patrick as its national flag in 1937, preferring to hoist the tricolour. The Union Jack also appears on dozens of ensigns and specialist flags. At the least this ubiquity will ensure its preservation. Four other countries also fly the Union Jack on their national flags: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tuvalu. Scottish independence does not entail republicanism. An independent Scotland would remain part of the Commonwealth on the model of Australia or Canada. The current British sovereign would remain monarch, as James IV’s heir. And 400 years-plus of unionism that have forged Britain, would not be wiped out. The symbol of that union, the Union Jack, will continue to fly over Westminster.
Country: Nepal Used Since: 16th December 1962 Fun Fact: The national flag of Nepal is the world’s only national flag that is non-quadrilateral in shape. Its crimson red is the colour of the rhododendron, the country’s national flower, but also is acknowledged as representing victory in war. The blue border represents peace.
Country: Portugal Used Since: 30th June 1911 Fun Fact: The Portuguese flag displays three important symbols: the field colours, and the armillary sphere and national shield (which together make up the country’s coat of arms). The colours of the flag represent the hope of the nation (green) and the blood (red). The armillary sphere was an important astronomical and navigational instrument for the Portuguese sailors who ventured into unknown seas. The seven castles in the flag’s shield are traditionally considered a symbol of the Portuguese victories over their Moorish enemies, under Afonso III, who supposedly captured seven enemy fortresses in the course of his conquest of the Algarve
Love flags? Love info-graphics? Then this set of factually correct (checked by Amnesty International info-flags from Portugal’s Grande Reportagem magazine should be right up your street!
Country: Norway Used Since: 13th July 1821 Fun Fact: Until 1838 the Norwegian flag was only used in Northern waters, as Norway had no treaty with the Barbary pirates of North Africa and had to fly the Swedish or union flag for protection. Most recently, the Norwegian flag has been heralded as an international symbol of strength and unity in the face of great adversity.
Country: The Republic of South Sudan Used Since: 9th July 2011 Fun Fact: The colours are said to represent the South Sudanese people (black), peace (white), the blood shed for freedom (red), the land (green) and the waters of the Nile (blue). The gold star, the Star of Bethlehem, represents unity of the states of South Sudan.
Region: Sámi people: The indigenous nation of the Nordic countries Used Since: 1986 (in current form) Fun fact: In 2003, the Sámi flag received official status in Norway, the country with the largest Sámi population. It is now compulsory for municipalities in Norway to fly the flag on February 6, the Sámi National Day.
I seem to have stumbled upon a disproportionately higher number of flag-food images than usual this week. Not that I’m complaining! Feat your eyes on these! (Pun intended) guillermolopez: Flags!!! :D Yummi
Country: India Used Since: 22 July 1947 Fun fact: The flag, by law, is to be made of khadi, a special type of hand-spun cloth of cotton or silk made popular by Mahatma Gandhi.
The flagfood images seem to be plentiful this evening. I just wish I could reach them… michaelyimmer: While taking a sick day from work, this is what I stumbled across in the refrigerator… Couple these with a nice cold glass of milk on a 100 degree+ day like today= bliss!
Country: Hawaii (State of the United States of America) Used Since: 1845 (with slight variations beforehand) Fun fact: The State of Hawaii’s flag is the only US state flag to feature the United Kingdom’s Union Jack: a hangover from the time Hawaii was a British protectorate (1794–1843).
New life goal: impress friends at international dinner party with these entrées
Country: Somalia Used since: 12th October 1954 Fun fact: The blue colour in the Somalian flag is taken from the United Nation’s flag in honour of the United Nations’ role in Somalia gaining independence.