Utah & Lousiana Christmas Flags

The Christmas flag for Utah is based upon the official flag of Utah, but with some style and colour adjustments.  All the arrows have disappeared.  Instead the two large arrowhead flag poles have transformed into trumpets.  In place of the American flags are two holiday themed Christmas flags.  The one on the left towards the hoist reads 'JOY' in a green canton with red and white stripes, while the one on the right towards the fly reads 'NOEL' in a red canton with green and white stripes.  The bald eagle is replaced with the seagull in reference to the miraculous appearance of a flock of seagull in Utah in 1848 appeared to avert disaster for the Mormon Exodus to Mexican Utah.  Also the six smaller arrows that appear out the honor point have transformed into six candy canes.

The flowers along the beehive are poinsettias, which is the traditional flower of Christmas, from Mexico.  If you forgot, poinsettias are native to North America, not the Holy Land.  Rather poinsettias were cultivated by the Aztecs, who later passed this flower to Spain, then Mexico and finally during the 1820s to an American Diplomat, Joel Roberts Poinsetta.  Today this Native American plant cultivated by the 'Pagan' hands of Mexico are an American Symbol of Christmas.   The story of the poinsettia flower has a few similarities to the origins of the 'Pagan' Christmas tree.  But instead of the Ancient Aztecs, it was the Ancient Norse and Germanic Tribes that added this essential element to Christmas. Neat thing about the poinsettia is that it a kind of 'missing link' of flowers.  Look closely at a poinsettia and you can see that those red flowers are actually red leaves.  Biologists believe that flowers evolved from coloured leaves.  It may not be so obvious with the rose or sego lily; the state flower of Utah is the sego lily that is visible on Utah's official flag. But it is quite obvious with the flor de pascua (that's poinsettia in Spanish... whatever it was in Aztequenese... who knows?)


Nonetheless, when the Mormons fled in a providential New World, Newer Kind of Testament- Exodus to Utah, it was still a part of Mexico.  Long story short, the first Mormon of Thanksgiving Harvests was saved by a flock of seagulls, considered an act of Divine Providence by Mormons and people of faith.  Consequently, the Christmas Flag of Utah has the word 'Industry' replaced with 'Providence.'  The beehive is also decorated with yellow lights, and the year of the Seagull Miracle is underneath the word Utah, instead of 1847.

Finally there are 45 snow flakes in the ball that represent Utah's position as the 45th state in the Union.  The 45 snowflakes are reflective of the overlooked and lovely snow globe.  Note, there has yet to be a great Hollywood Snow Globe Christmas Classic?  Maybe the 2020s will finally give us a good Snow Globe film?


The Louisiana Christmas flag is based upon the official flag of Louisiana.  However, there are some differences.  The background is a darker shade of blue to reflect a night's sky.  In fact, the star positions are what can be seen from Bethlehem every December 25, near midnight: except for the Star of Bethlehem, which was only visible when Jesus was born.  The constellation of Orion is on the right side of Pelican pointing towards the Star of Bethlehem.  In the upper right hand side, the constellation Gemini is visible.  The stars visible at night are opposite of the zodiac, as to ones assigned a birth. If you believe that Jesus was born on the 25th of December, that makes Jesus a Capricorn.  But every December, the constellation of Capricorn is nowhere to be seen from Earth.  Reason being it is directly behind the Sun during this time of the year.  You'd have to wait until summer to see the stars of Capricorn.   So every December 24th, starlight from Gemini, Cancer, and Taurus bathes the Earth.  This is the same starlight that would have bathed Joseph, Mary, the three wise men, and a donkey on that special night some 2020 years ago. 

Providentially Louisiana already has an official flag charmed with Christian Heraldry, and Louisiana is at the nearly the same equivalent latitude of Israel.  Thus the stars that pass directly over Israel also pass directly overhead to the Louisiana.  More specifically, Natchitoches, Louisiana is at the same latitude of Bethlehem.

Specifically, the Pelican is associated with Christianity.  But in the Louisiana Christmas Flag the pelican is roosting on the three eggs, instead of slicing open its chest for the next generation.  Also, the nest is decorated with holiday colours of red, yellow, and green.  The ribbon underneath now reads 'Holy Silent Night.'  Finally, the star of Bethlehem shines in the upper right region of the flag.

The three eggs of the Louisiana Holiday flag can represent any number of associations: like the trinity of Christianity, the triangle, trigonometry (triangle-ology, aka... the advanced study of triangles).  We usually associated Christmas with the birth of Christ, but this flag accidentally echoes that two other souls were born in Jesus's generation, who were destined to fall upon the cross simultaneously with Jesus.  Although less remembered and not celebrated, these two other lives are eternally remembered and are fodder for good storytellers.  Many people would love to sacrifice their life for their Nation and/or Gods Purpose, but imagine having your life end along side the Messiah?  But this flag is not about endings, but rather beginnings.  Christmas is celebrated for the birth of Christ, and Christianity.  It is a collective memory from our ancient past, that all of humanity can have hope and join in communal love. Although there are many paths and many interpretations, in the beginning, all were one.





 https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/palestine/bethlehem


https://bookofmormoncentral.org/ 

Christmas Holiday Card 2010

Every year since 2007 I have made a Christmas-Holiday Card that shows my flag symmetry idea decked out with certain flags of the 50 US States. This year was no exception.

Flag of Connecticut with a Hanukkah twist

The pair of states chosen were Connecticut and Vermont. They may not look so similar at first glance but there are a few interesting parallels. Both their state flags feature plants as the centerpiece of their flags. Connecticut has three grapevines and nine bunches of grapes. While Vermont has a pine tree in the middle. Their backgrounds are both blue of different shades. They both feature a shield that repeat the 'leaves' of their honored plant. All around the shield of Connecticut are grape leaves in the positions normally associated with the supporter, compartment, and crest. Likewise Vermont has two crossed branches of a pine tree in the supporter and compartment areas.

Flag of Vermont with the X-Mas Spirit

Culturally during the Colonial Revolution of 1776 early flags of rebellion in New England included the pine tree and a vine of grapes. So in some manner these two flags echo of the original revolution against parliament and king.

Their flags have been 'North Polarized' in different ways. First Connecticut has been modified into a Menorah. Just as it already has 9 bunches of grapes, a Menorah has 9 candles. If you didn't know the chief financial elf at Santa's workshop is Jewish, as is Rudolph and the Grinch who stole Christmas but later gave it back on reconsideration.

The flag of Vermont has been altered to night with a healthy heaping of snowfall. Red Christmas balls were added to the branches around the seal. The cow is pulling a sleigh, the deer on the heraldic wreath has a Rudolph Nose, and finally the tree has been north polarized with the Christmas Tree.

Merry Christmas to all,
May 2011 feel like Heaven

See the X-mas holiday card of years past
2009 - Wisconsin & Guess who!?

Official State Flag Shields of Connecticut & Vermont
Compared to North Polarized Cards

Christmas - Holiday Card 2009

Flag of Maine in Christmas Style

For this year's 2009 Christmas Season, I used the flags of Maine and Wisconsin to illustrate my newly coined 'flag symmetry' concept.

First of all the men are now wearing Santa hats, the star on the crest was brightened, and the shield was modified. The tree was decorated as a Christmas Tree and the moose was given a bright red nose. Finally, it's night with a fresh sprinkling of snow.

Both Wisconsin and Maine have sailors on their flags. The sailor is the supporter on the left for Wisconsin and for Maine, the seaman is on the right. They represent sailors of the salt and fresh waters. Maine has a scenic Atlantic Coast line, while Wisconsin has two Great Lake coast lines: Lake Superior & Lake Michigan. Because of this, both states are littered with beautiful light houses. Famously Maine has Acadia National Park, while in Wisconsin there is Apostles Islands state park.

Holiday flag of Wisconsin

To the right the flag of Wisconsin has been 'North Polarized.' The four quadrants are replaced with spiritual icons that peoples across the world can appreciate. In the lower left corner is a Menorah.

In the lower right corner is a crescent moon with two stars; one for Shiites and the other for Sunnis on a background of Islamic Green. It purposefully makes a smiley face in honor of the occasions when both schools of Islam get along.

In the upper left is a star for anyone of any faith who enjoys Christmas & loves Christmas Cookies. In the upper right is the Taoist (Yin Yang) Icon of Harmony and behind it is the 'Ohmmm' of the Hindu-Buddeic Tradition written in Sanskrit.

Normal Flags of Maine and Wisconsin Seals
compared to North Polarized versions

MAINE & WISCONSIN

The badger has her nose lit with a green light. If you didn't know, female badgers can light up their noses during the winter in various colours. They can sense when a camera is around so don't even try to take a picture if you see it. The sailor is wearing an Elf Hat, and the miner on is actually wearing a Sikh Turban with a glowing jewel that the Ghost of Christmas Past gave him.

Geographically Wisconsin & Maine are similar states full of pine sap and forest critters. The four seasons line pierces them both, at 45 degrees north. This is the midway point between the north pole and equator. Thus on Christmas Night Santa usually takes a reindeer bathroom break in Portland and Milwaukee when he is crisscrossing the earth.

But the most amazing coincidence only found in great fiction and surreal cosmic alignments are two different rivers of the same name that make up their boarders. On Maine's eastern side is the St. Croix River and on Wisconsin's western side is another St. Croix River. They are totally two different St. Croix Rivers.

Paul Bunyan is a legend in both states and rightfully so. Many states claim to be Bunyan's birth place but the Society of Paul Bunyan has declared that Bunyan was born in Bangor, Maine and buried near Rib Mountain at Wausau, Wisconsin.

Finally Maine and Wisconsin represent the proverbial union of 'Surf & Turf,' or rather lobster and steak.

Merry Christmas & a Ho Ho Ho!!!

link to X-mas Holiday Card 2010
link to X-mas Holiday Card 2008

Flags in a Christmas Story 1983 - it's time for Christmas in June!

Parade Flags - A Christmas Story 1983

Merry Christmas! I know it's June, but since it's the 'Twenty Fifth' of June, a little Christmas Cheer wouldn't hurt anyone?

Christmas in June make more sense since its fairly warm in the Holy Land. FYI Israel is at the same latitude of Louisiana - just about.


Christmas Flag - A Christmas Story 1983

This film is one of those precious timeless gems that was made for little yet had the deepest of impacts.






Getting your tongue stuck to a flag pole
A Christmas Story 1983

Raphie here got his tongue stuck on the flag pole! Hey kids never ever do this!









US Flag in the Clasroom
A Christmas Story 1983

Jeepers would you look at that a chalk board! How quaint.







US flag outside of the class room
notice the neat rows of the 48 starred US flag

Christmas North Polarized Flags for West Virginia and Wyoming

Merry Christmas!  It is that time again when two select flags get decked out with the Holiday Spirit.  In this case the chosen two were West Virginia and Wyoming.  These two flags are connected in a special providential way, as fraternal flag partners.  Besides starting with the letter W, both states are home to mountaineers.  On the fly-right side of the flag, they both have men with pick-axes and are standing in a unique American heraldic style. 

The key link with flags is the border or frame, that connects these two states of the Mountain on the East Coast and the West Coast.  No doubt, many a West Virginian would find Wyoming very welcoming, and vice versa.  West Virginia is the penultimate state created during the US Civil War in the mother of all states, Virginia.  Coincidentally Wyoming was the last state to be named after the Civil War.  Consequently West Virginia carries the deepest of scars from that war amongst brothers, yet Wyoming is completely new, born in an America after the end of slavery.  Likewise Wyoming was also created at a major cultural revolutionary point, whereby both genders were given the right to have their voices heard and lead.

Like the other Holiday US State Flags, holiday designs on the seals are set to night.  In this case two elves appear on the West Virginia flag.  Next to the hoist-left elf is a red wagon with a doll in red wagon, a giraffe, and a rocking horse.  Next to the fly-hoist elf are two big play balls, two teddy bears, and a wrapped purple present.  Instead of guns crossed with a liberty cap, we have two long trumpets with a Santa hat.  Likewise the state motto is missing, replaced by trumpet banners that announce "JOY" and "NOEL."

For Wyoming, the Bison has been replaced with a Camel.  In the seal the Equal Rights Goddess is dressed as the Christmas Shepherd's Angel harking to the shepherds, pointing out the Star of Bethlehem.  The two supporting men are dressed, of course, as shepherds.  Again the pick-axe has been turned into a shepherd's crook while the rope is now a shepherd's whistle.   

 Below are the official flags next to holiday designs for comparison.  Merry Ho, Ho, and may the spirit of peace visit your heart.

California and Washington DC Christmas Flags

Christmas in California can vary.  Up north you have the Germanic Christmas with snow and darkness, but down south you have a Holy Land style kind of weather.  Because Southern Cal is at the same latitude of Israel, thus Mary and Jo would most likely feel at home in San Diego, rather than say Sacramento on December 25th.

In any case, the California flag with a Christmas theme has the bear in a Santa outfit, minus the boots.  The bear is walking on snow covered ground and it is snowing.  Finally the word 'Republic' is replaced with 'Christmas.'

Since the fraternal partner of California is Columbia: District of Washington, the flag of DC too has a Christmas theme.  For DC the upper stripe is green and so is the middle star.  It also has 'Merry Christmas' written in the stripes.  The upper green stripe has it in red, while the lower stripe has it in green with matching coloured balls.

Flags from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - 1964

 "The First Castle on the Left"

Merry Christmas!  Perhaps the proper countdown to Christmas begins on November 25, since it is exactly one month away.  Besides Thanksgiving has passed.


Flags make a small background appearance in the king of all stop motion animated classics Rudolph the Red Nosed 1964.  Rudolph will always be a timeless tale for generations and represents America's addition to the Spirit of Christmas. 


 This story focuses on the last reindeer to join Santa's sled team - Rudolph.  In the introductory scene Santa's Castle can be seen with several pennants flying from the tower tops.  Later in the film when they journey to the Island of Misfits they meet the regal lion king - King Moonracer.  When Rudolph and his misfit friends are in King Moonracers Hall several heraldic like banners can be seen in the background.

King Moonracer's Hall

Here Rudolph meets the ruler of the Island of Misfit Toys with his friends Yukon Cornelius the Miner, Herny the Misfit Elf, and the Spotted Elephant.  The colours of the banners in King Moonracer's hall include pink, purple, red and are divided with a heraldic bend and finished with a swallowtail fly. 






Notice white flags in Santa's Clastle.  The white flag is the basic flag of peace not necessarily a flag of surrender.  Two white flags stand on either side of the the mistletoe being hung by the elves and Yukon Conelius.












You can barely see the white flag in the background on the ceiling.  In the shot the nonconformist elf with dental aspirations is hanging a star on the Christmas tree with the help of the tamed snow monster.

New Jersey and the New York State Flag with the Christmas Spirit - December 25, 2012

NEW YORK FLAG - NORTH POLARIZED

 Joy to the World and a Merry Merry Christmas to all.  New Jersey and New York were chosen as this years Winter Holiday X-Mas Spirit Cards.

Every year since 2007 I have chosen two state flags that align as 'providence partners.'  This 'providence partner' idea is revolutionary. A pattern emerges when the state flags are put in a certain order that seems too surreal to be true.  Is all a big coincidence, or rather an arrangement of fate? 

The flag of New York has been 'North Polarized' with the spirit of an American Christmas.  The Goddess Liberty is holding a large candy cane instead of a liberty pole.  Likewise the Goddess Justice has her sword replaced with a red candle and instead of a balance holds two Christmas Bells in her left hand.  Justice is nearly blinded by the Santa Hat, except for the wee corner of her right eye.

A slight colour adjustment to Liberties blue dress is made green, in honor of the festivities. Likewise the heraldic wreath, more commonly known as a  head band that holds the earth is changed to the traditional Christmas colours of red and green.  The Earth too has rotated on its axis to show the Indian Ocean and most of Asia, since many of the great religions and philosophies all originate from this continent.  East Africa, India, Russia, the Western Asia, China, and the west coast of Australia are visible on this globe.  Instead of an American Eagle, a white peace dove with holly in its mouth flies at the crest.

Night has replaced day upon the shield of arms.  It is the same view on the regular New York State Flag but snow is covering the ground and you can see Santa and his reindeer flying over the moon.  Finally the motto "JOY TO THE WORLD" is along the bottom in the honor of the Christmas Spirit.


NEW JERSEY FLAG - CHRISTMAFIED

Coincidentally the Goddess of Liberty makes an appearance on the flag of New Jersey on the same side.  However the flag of New Jersey is the more traditional world wide view of the Christmas Spirit with a keen focus on the Nativity.  The Goddess Liberty is made into an angel and her 'freedom pole' is replaced with a biblical Shepard's crook.  The Goddess Ceres is playing a brass horn instead of holding her traditional horn of plenty.

Along the shield are three Kings or Magi who came to visit the baby Jesus in Israel, which replaces the three plows on the official New Jersey Flag.  Although the Magi have different coloured clothes they match in design except for the crowns.  The heraldic helmet with mantling is missing and now the mantleing acts as a stage window into the iconic Nativity Scene of Mary in red, Joseph in green in a manger overlooking the birth of Jesus.  Above the manger is the star of Bethlehem that is shinning brighter than any other star.

A lamb has replaced the regular horse head of the Jersey Flag as a symbol and metaphor for Christ. The wording upon the compartment scroll has changed to reflect the angels celebration of 'FAITH' and 'JOY.'    Finally the infinity symbol has replaced 1776 to reflect the timelessness of this magical moment in human history.

For Comparison of Official and Christmas Versions

New Jersey & New York

Yukon Territory and Northwest Territory have their flags North Polarized for Christmas

 

Merry Christmas! It is that time to deck the flags with the Spirit of Christmas! In this case the fraternal flag pairs of Yukon North Polarized with the Northwest Territories flags.  The dog from the Grinch replaces the Huskie of Yukon, likewise the Holly replaces the 'provincial' flower of fireweed.  The flag of England has is made Christmas present with big blue bow.  The heraldic designs have been made into Christmas Trees.  

The Flag of the Northwest Territories is only slightly modified.  The fox is wearing a Santa Hat and the gold bars are changed into a multicolored rainbow of light bulbs. Finally, the blue river line has become the aurora borealis.  

Joyeux Noël! C'est le moment d'arborer les drapeaux avec l'Esprit de Noël ! Dans ce cas, les paires de drapeaux fraternels du Yukon Nord polarisé avec les drapeaux des Territoires du Nord-Ouest. Le chien du Grinch remplace le Huskie du Yukon, de même que le Houx remplace la fleur « provinciale » de l'épilobe. Le drapeau de l'Angleterre est fait cadeau de Noël avec un grand arc bleu. Les motifs héraldiques ont été transformés en arbres de Noël.

Le drapeau des Territoires du Nord-Ouest n'est que légèrement modifié. Le renard porte un bonnet de Noel et les lingots d'or se transforment en un arc-en-ciel multicolore d'ampoules. Enfin, la ligne bleue de la rivière est devenue les aurores boréales.

 

The Christmas Peru Flag

Feliz Navidad!

Christmas in Peru?  Remember that no nation has a monopoly on Christmas and there many ways to celebrate. Since there is a tree on the flag of Peru, it can make a wonderful holiday Christmas flag.

The Peruvian Navidad Flag has changed the middle white bar to mostly black.  Usually, the middle bar is white, but snow conserves the original white colour.  Within the seal, glowing lights are added to the surrounding garland.  On the left side, the palm branch has white lights.  On the right side, the red laurel fruits are glowing, up as well as white lights.  A red and white bow is in the compartment area, which fits doubly, like a candy cane and as a reflection of Peru's national colours.

Officially Peru celebrates Christmas during the summer time, December 25th and it is in the sultry hot equatorial region.  However, high in the Andes Mountains it can snow on Christmas. Upon the shield, a horn of plenty has coloured ornaments instead of golden coins.  In the upper right quarter the silhouette of a yellow vicuña. Vicuña's are in the llama family but are the smallest kind, kind'of like a pony version of llama.  Yet they are not a llamas, as ponies are not horses.  For some strange reason, many people think ponies are baby horses.  A good nick name for these animals is llamatito.

In the upper right portion of the shield is the famous Cinchona tree.  Mostly likely, you have heard of the Chinchilla.  But few know about the Cinxhona tree.  Both the Chinchilla and Cinchona are from South America.  Chances are you have drank of the nutrients from Peru's national tree.  The primary product is quinine, which is found in tonic water to give it its taste.  If you ever had gin n' tonic or just plain tonic water, you were tasting a flavor from South America.  Quinine in a more concentrated form fights off malaria.  Most American bartenders know this molecule as the Q Button on the drink nozzle.  Perhaps we should spell it as the Qinquona tree instead of Cinchona tree?  In a way, every time a bartender presses on the Q button, they are pressing on the majestic Cinchona tree of South America.  But the Northpolarized flag of Peru, the Cinchona tree is lit up with yellow lights.

Coincidentally one of the largest companies that consumes and sells quinone is Canada Dry.  Likewise, you may have noticed that Canada and Peru have similar flags, for the record Peru was first. Further, you can often find the Peru Flag without its coat of arms—it looks like the Canadian flag minus its leaf.  Or rather, the Canadian flag looks like the flag of Peru with a maple leaf.

Bi-National Canadian-Peruvian Heritage Flag?

As Canada is to maple syrup, Peru is to quinone of tonic water.  Thus you can enjoy the All North & South American Christmas Cocktail: The Quanuck'abida.  This is a new international drink made up of tonic water, maple syrup, and dash of ginger ale, garnished with a lemon, and served ice cold on the rocks.  After you drink it you're suppose to say 'Felicitado Nativtado.'   For the adult version you can add a swig of gin.

Finally in the crest position, above the shield, the wreath is converted into an Advent Wreath or Christmas Crown, with glowing red and white lights.  An Advent Weath is like a Catholic Menorah with only four candles, instead of nine, that are placed on a wreath.  In the center is an eight pointed Star of Bethlehem.







Bartender Drink Gun Nozzle Pic
https://www.vinelandsyrup.com/soda-systems

Flags from The Nightmare Before Christmas - 1993

It's the 25th again, so Merry Christmas?  Did you ever wonder what the Christmas Spirit is doing a few days before Halloween?

Back in 1993 the Christmas Spirit did indeed cross over with Halloween thanks to the imagination of Timothy Burton in the Halloween/Christmas classic The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

Notice the Jack-O-Lantern and Skull banners on the left and an orange and black Halloween-Town flag in the corner.  The banners and flag are in the town hall of Halloween-Town. 

In this movie Christmas goes bad when the spirits of Halloween attempt to do and celebrate Christmas. A tricycle with a pirate flag lays ruined in the snow in a graveyard.  The main message of the movie is to be true to your heart, but sometimes you have to fall and make mistakes in order to find yourself.  

The hero of the story does indeed find his true hearts desire.  It rings of that old line of shooting for the stars, no matter what, you will end up in the right place after tragedy and failure push you in the right direction.     

Canada's Christmas Island Flag, Nova Scotia

Everyone knows about Australia's Christmas Island.  But did you know that Canada also has a Christmas Island?  And this island is more a kin to what most of us think about Christmas in Europe and North America, a kind to what Santa would expect in at the North Pole.

The Christmas Island flag has a Canadian pale with two crossed candy canes.  Three green maple leaves sit at different angles.  This flags is themed to say Canada and Christmas at the same time. 

Christmas Island, Nova Scotia is and island on and island of sorts; since it is on Cape Breton Island.