Saturday, July 30, 2011

International Congress of Vexillology 24, NAVA 45, CBFA Union Flag

ICV 24 Vexillological Union Flag

This flag represents of union of four flags. It was made spontaneously on a whim on Saturday July 30, 2011 in honor of 24th International Congress of Vexillology.

It combines the flags of the North American Vexillological Association, the Chesapeake Bay Flag Association, the International Federation of Vexillological Associations, and ICV 24 Washington Congress Flag which is simultaneously the NAVA 45 flag.

ICV 24 & NAVA 45 Congress Flag

Ironically the meeting was held in Alexandria, Virginia but there were a few organized excursions to Washington, DC. The canton of the ICV 24 Union Flag is a shortened version of the Washington Congress Flag. The ICV 24 Union Flag is missing eight stars and is in the shape of a traditional canton - a square.



CBFA Flag

This field of the ICV 24 Union Flag takes it colours and design from the Chesapeake Bay Association. This flag group hosted and supplied most of the volunteers for this congress. The stars were removed from the CBFA Flag because the canton of the ICV 24 Union Flag already had sixteen stars. The two dark blue stripes of the CBFA flag were conserved by being rotated 90 degrees and positioned along the fly instead of the bottom.

IFVA & NAVA STANDARD

Off center towards the fly is the badge. It is composed of a modified NAVA and IFVA. The basic pattern of the NAVA flag is conserved and merged with the distinguished element of the International Federation of Vexillological Association flag. The repeated V of many vexillological conference flags is made more pronounced and also represents the state of where it was held - Virginia. It was essential that these two flags be connected since this meeting was both a NAVA and IFVA congress.


Finally this ICV 24 Vexi-Union flag is an echo of the final Confederate Flag of my design. This was done in honor of Virginia's rich history. The seal of the Confederacy was added for artistic purposes, since we were in the former territory of the Washington District of Columbia.




Indian Ocean Flag

Indian Ocean Flag

This flag represents the Indian Ocean. It is a vertical tri-bar made up of sky blue (indigo), and light brown (tan). In the central position is a darker blue five pointed blue star reflective of the elegant starfish. The central bar represents the continent of India. The two sky blue ends represent the east and west halves of the Indian Ocean.

The Indian Ocean is perh
aps a kin to being the Spirit Ocean of our world. The rain that washes from Mt. Everest, China, Arabia, Israel, Babylon, Persia, Africa, Islamabad, Siam, and Australia find their resting place in this Ocean. It is the Ocean of Dreams full of colour beyond the dry abundant business and rational side of Europe, North America, and Japan. It is the Ocean of Mystics and the nations along on its many shores were chosen to speak of life and destiny.

This flag was first presented to the public at the 24th International Congress of Vexillology at Alexandria, Virginia in 2011. It's simple design made it a favorite among vexillologists.

This flag is a symbol to persons born on the Indian Ocean. If a person was born, conceived, or in the womb then they have a proper right to fly this flag, especially if their mother swam in the ocean while pregnant. Also any nation that borders the Indian Ocean also has a right to fly this flag since their nation is tided to its tide waters and livelihood.

Personally, I hope to see, smell, and swim in this most magnificent and sacred of earthly oceans.


Antarctic Ocean Flag or Southern Ocean Flag

Flag of the Antarctic Ocean

This is the flag of the Antarctic Ocean or rather the Southern Ocean. There is some debate by geographers if it even qualifies as an ocean.

Perhaps the Southern Antarctic Ocean could be categorized as a Dwarf Ocean, since Pluto was also reclassified by changing perspectives?

Since the flag of the North Arctic Ocean has a canton in the upper fly, it makes sense that the flag of the Antarctic or 'Southern Dwarf Ocean' should have a canton in the lower fly.

Map of the Southern Antarctic Ocean

This flag was first presented to Vexillologist around the world at the 24th International Congress of Vexillology that was held from August 1st unto August 5th in 2011 at the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Coincidentally the highly unusual lower fly canton of the Southern Ocean has a white hammer on a blue field. The hammer is a key symbol in Free Masonry.

The colours of this flag include - black, white, navy blue, red, orange, yellow. The colours are modeled on the Emperor Penguin that has red, orange, yellow, white and black feathers. The colours navy blue and white represent the waters and ice of this ocean.


South Antarctic Ocean planted on the Ocean
one of the few Oceans that you can actually walk on in your bare feet

The Antarctic Ocean is perhaps the easiest ocean to live a life on without ever stepping on to land. Life on an iceberg, which is a natural extension of the ocean would be difficult but not impossible. In theory a person can be conceived, carried to term and born on this ocean without ever touching land or stepping on to a boat. There are some icebergs that are bigger than some nations like the Vatican or Liechtenstein.

Link to proposed Antarctica Flag

Arctic Ocean Flag, The Frozen North Ocean

Flag of the Arctic Ocean

This is the flag of the Arctic Ocean. It was first presented to Vexillologists at the 24th International Congress of Vexillology, that was held in Virginia at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

The colours of this flag are red, white, black, and indigo. Near the upper fly is a canton that takes is design from the flag of Jamaica with stars added along in the black saltire.

Modified Imaginary Painting of Explorer
Adolf Erik Nordenskiold flying the North Arctic Ocean Flag

Indigo represents the native people to this ocean who call it home from the Nenets of Russia to the Inuit of Canada. White represents the European People who live along its shoreline. Black persons of African American heritage and the long winter nights. Red represents strict social order needed when living in such remote and harsh conditions.

The indigo stripes along the bottom represent the three great shorelines of Eurasia, America, and the dwarf continent Greenland.

Link to Antarctic Ocean Flag

Atlantic Ocean Flag

Atlantic Ocean Flag

This flag represents the Atlantic Ocean. It was show to Vexillologists across the world at the 24th International Congress of Vexillology in the first week of August of 2011, held at the Geroge Washington Masonic Memorial.

It is composed of four colours - white, indigo, navy blue, and blue. It has seven stripes in honor of the semi-legendary seven seas. There are six blue squares positioned at 45 degrees to look like square diamonds. They represent the six fundamental essences of the Atlantic: North America, South America, West Africa, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and Mediterranean.

Map of the Atlantic Ocean

The upper white line represents the coastline of the Americas, while the lower line represents the western coastline of the old world. The different hues of blue also represent the varied colours of this oceans colours.

This flag is entitled to persons conceived or born on the Atlantic Ocean, and even if they were in the womb. Also nations that boarder any part of the Atlantic Ocean have a right to fly it as well.

Phobos Flag, the Larger Moon of Mars

Flag of Phobos


The flag of Phobos was first presented to the public and vexillologists at the 24th international Congress of Vexillology at the Washington Masonic Memorial in 2011.

The flag is composed four colours: black, blue, white and most appropriately red, in honor of the red planet.

This flag was intended to represent fear. It is composed of three main parts. Along the top is a blue stripe with the Western symbol for Mars. In the red portion is the number seven represented in Egyptian Numbers that represent the mythological seven fears of Phobos. In the black portion is a white skull with sharpened teeth like those of carnivore. The eyes of the are also glowing red. Upon the forehead of the skull is a hole with a crescent moon.



Image of Mars' Larger Moon
Phobos

Currently Phobos is considered a moon by astronomers, but if it were in orbit around the sun is would be classified as an asteroid. Perhaps there needs to be a 'Dwarf Moon' designation to match up with 'Dwarf Planet' terms?

Pacific Ocean Flag

Flag of the Pacific Ocean

This flag was first presented to vexillology at 24th International Congress of Vexillology. It was held at Alexandria, Virginia at the Masonic Memorial from August 1 unto August 5th, 2011.

The flag represents the Pacific Ocean. The white disc, stars and stripes are primarily a representation of icons from Japan and the United States due to their epic and hard fought struggle in the Pacific Ocean in the 1940s.

Additionally the varied shapes and colours can be found on many nations wholly within the Pacific - Palau, Micronesia, New Zealand, Tuvalu, and many others. This flag also represents nations that border the Pacific from Eastern Asia to South America.

The first meaning of the symbols are this - the white disc represents the full moon, the three white stars represent the three great coastlines of the Pacific - Asia, America, and Australia. The three indigo dashes represent three memorable lines of latitude - the Tropic of Cancer, the Tropic of Capricorn, and the most famous of all, the Equator. Dark blue represents the vastness and one of the many blue colours of the Pacific Ocean. The lime green border represents the life and abundance that the Ocean Provides for all.

Map of the Pacific Ocean with Flag

It is the right of any nation that has a Pacific Coast line to fly this flag such as Canada, Chile, Australia, Vietnam, and Russia.

This flag also represents persons born on the Pacific Ocean (assuming on a boat), persons conceived on the Pacific, and persons whose mother swam in the Pacific while she was pregnant.

New Zealand Flag Proposal 2011

New New Zealand Flag Proposal 2011

There have been many calls for a new flag for New Zealand. The flag issue is remarkably parallel to the Australian Flag crisis. There are many proposals that try to incorporate designs by the aboriginal Maroi and native Australians. And both nations have the same euro-centric heritage from the United Kingdom.

So who will be first to break with tradition? Certainly in whatever design Kiwis or Aussies choose the Southern Cross and the colour black will be included.

Popular Maori Flag

My flag proposal for New Zealand was first presented to vexillologists around the world at the 2011 International Congress of Vexillology, held at the Geroge Washington Masonic Memorial. The colours of the flag are blue, red, black and white. Black represents the native polynesian peoples that arrived before Europeans. The red and white stars of the current New Zealand flag are conserved. The red cross is an echo of the UK flag, bearing a symmetric resemblance to the St. Patrick's Cross. This symbolizes the world wide awakening of New Zealand to the community of nations as established by the British. The cross also represents the anitpode islands latitude and longitude.

Current New Zealand Flag

Although a conservative flag compared to most New Zealand flag proposals it incorporates all the colours of the popular Maroi flag and maintains a certain line of tradition. Only if they change the name of the country, a more radical design would be appropriate.


Info about New Zealand Flag Association (NZFA)

Flag for People Born in the Sky - The Heaven or Sky Flag

Flag of Persons Born, Conceived
or in the womb in the sky

Since 1903 the population of 'Earthlings' born in the air has increased. Usually pregnant women shouldn't fly. But every so often a baby comes early and kazaam, we have a person who was literally born in heaven. Thus there is a need for a flag of people born in this peculiar and amazing way.

The flag is dedicated to all persons born or conceived in the air, and if your mother flew in the air while she was pregnant.

It is a divided banner with an upwards bend. The dividing line is an array of clouds. The upper-hoist half is sky blue in honor of the sky and golden sun, while the lower-fly half is black with a crescent moon. The three stars are reflective of the constellation Orion.


The divided sky also has a second level of meaning: the sun represents people birthed in the air, while the night sky and moon represent people conceived in the air, and the clouds represent people who were in the mother's womb while in the air. And yes based upon this formula, I am one of these exceptional air headed persons who can legally wave the flag of the our sky nation. And no.... I am not the last Air-bender, only the creator of the Air Nation Colours.



Video of Baby Born in Heaven
on Auringy Airlines that services the Channel Islands

New Australian Flag Proposal, 2011


A Proposed New Flag for Australia

There are hundreds of new Australian Flag proposals every year, well here is my 2 cents or rather 2 pence on the matter.

It tries to conserve some of the classical elements. The red cross of England, the star pattern of the official flag, and elements of the Scottish triangles from the Union Flag.

The English Red Cross is conserved because English is the dominant language of Australia. The Southern Cross constellation is a must, and will certainly be apart of whichever new flag Australians decide upon. The St. Patrick's Cross of Ireland is taken out for reasons of clutter, also most Irish People don't associate with this icon anyways. The colour black is added out of respect for the Aboriginals. The white stripe from the upper left to lower right, a downward-down under bend, represents the geographic reach from the capital cities of London and Canberra across the earth.

The Current Aussie Flag

It is a flag that takes traditional elements and harmonizes them with a modern blend. This flag was first presented to vexillologists around the world at the 24th International Congress of Vexillology that was held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria Virginia.


For a fantastic list of proposed Australian Flags you can visit the AUS Flag Australian Flag Proposal Site Here http://www.flagsaustralia.com.au/newflag.html

Australian Flag Symmetry Video set to Men at Work




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
added
May 21, 2012


The design is exactly as the 2011 proposal but black and blue are reversed. Thus the 2012 version conserves the Southern Cross on blue. The colouring patters of black blue is a counter charge boomerang design.

Modified Version - Black and Blue Reversed

Friday, July 29, 2011

Flag Proposal for Independent French Guiana

Proposed Flag of an Independent
French Guiana


Along the north shore of South America is a virtual linguistic and cultural world showcase-boardwalk of the EU. In a neatly lined row found nowhere else in the world, going west to east, five 'nations' are tuned to Spanish, English, Dutch, French, and Portuguese respectively via Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil.

All the continental territories of America have asserted independence except for one - French Guiana, the Omega. Guiana is the last echo of European colonies left on the Continent of the America.Independence will come some day, definitely in our lifetime.



Artistic Rendition of Canis Minor
It's north of the celestial equator like
French Guiana with earth's equator, just a little north of the Cosmic Unicorn

Here is a proposal for a flag, when this French Territory asserts its independence. The colours are red, yellow, white and black. These colours represent the varied hues of humanity that call American Guiana home. There are two stars reflective of the constellation Canis Minor. Canis Minor is at the same celestial latitude of American Guiana's earthly latitude. Canis Minor is a small yet significant constellation, it sit along the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy and has the 7th or 8th brightest star in the heavens - Procyon. The capital city, Cayanne, is aligned with this star during the month of January-February at 5 degrees north latitude.

This flag was first proposed to vexillologists around the world at the 24th International Congress of Vexillology held at Alexandria, Virginia at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

French Guiana is also a world famous spaceport, primarily used by the EU.




MAP OF THE EU BOARDWALK IN AMERICA

Thursday, July 28, 2011

The Simpsons - The Bartmangled Banner


Bart Mooning the American Flag

The Simpsons 15th season's 21st episode is appropriately called the Bartmangled Banner. In it an odd series of events puts Bart in an unpatriotic pose in public at a school. This parody from one of America's most watched and longest running imaginary families, on the Fox Network, takes the issue of freedom of speech to new levels of comical absurdity.

This episode aired in 2004 a year after the invasion of Iraq and patriotic sentiments were running high in the country. Most nations of the world would have censored this episode, especially if it were at war. But Bart is the epitome brat of the American childhood.

Perhaps Bart was simply confused with the America's role in exploring the moon, and the astronauts planting the US Flag on the moon?

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

International Space Station Flags and its Official Insignia

International Space State Logo with Flags


So they built a city in the sky. It's a small city, without any permanent residents. There are 15 national flags represented on the flag logo. Starting from Japan and going clockwise: Russia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the USA, and finally Canada. There are five stars in the background that look like the constellation Cassiopeia.

It may seem like something out of science fiction movie, but here it is and its real. It's basically a big laboratory in orbit. This is one grand Enterprise that's already in the history books, and like it or not you are footing part of the bill.

It will return to earth in 2020. But my question is why don't they park it on the moon after it becomes a condemned building? I'm 100% positive future moon colonists wouldn't mind the spare parts and stuff.

If you know the answer why they can't just strap a rocket on it and send it to the moon, let me know! The spent billions to get it up there and they just gonna let it fall back to earth and pollute the atmosphere? Send it to the MOON!


Official Insignia of the ISS


No Flags are visible. Once again there are five stars depicted, two stars are outside the central space image with five points, and three are inside the space scene with four points. The outline of the space station is printed in white. The earth has a southern point of view as we can see most of Antarctica, some Australia, all New Zealand, and a bit of South America.


Link to NASA's ISS Website
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Friday, July 22, 2011

Deep Space Nine, Star Trek Flags

Flags of Klingon, Federation, and Bajor

Star Trek's third television series is Deep Space Nine. The story line is about a lonely outpost that becomes the center of the known galaxy due to amazing circumstance and destiny. The common themes of this series are religion, terrorism, nation building, war and political factions contending for domination.

Although the show was made in the 1990s, the themes of this show are an amazing reflection of the current political crises of our world with religion, terrorism, and nation building.

Klingon Marriage Banner in Quarks
also featured in this episode


In this episode #521 You Are Cordially Invited, the Federation takes back Deep Space 9 with help from the Klingons.

Deep Space 9 is a space station next to the Bajorian home world. The Bajorians are the native people who have territorial rights to an enchanted piece of real estate, that is at the cross roads of galaxy.



Watch Deep Space Nine (DS9)Flags Here


Deep Space Nine deserves at least one movie. Just think of a quantum altered reality where all the characters come together for a battle royal? All they have to do is tell the story from a new quantum reality. You can even have all the characters come back to life. The fact that they reloaded the original series is a testament. DS9's topics of religion, war, and terrorism are more than appropriate, right now. Who would of imagined a Black Star Fleet Captain in 1966? It'd never happen is the nay sayer's mantra, well if you have not noticed impossible things happen all the time. People can relate to Quark, gambling, pleasure rooms, drinking, and gambling. Besides Cardassians are more human than weirdo Vulcans.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Christmas in July & the World Santa Claus Conference in Denmark

German Santa with Pope
like hat and German Flag


Since 1957 in the middle of July, Santa Claus helpers from around the world have met up in Denmark. Thus it is official the start of the the 2011 Christmas Season. The international Congress of Santa helpers meet in Dyrehavsbakken Park, which traces its roots back to 1583. This special park is also the worlds oldest amusement park still in operation.

The flag of Denmark reflects strongest the spirit of Christmas. The colours of that of Santa's suit and the cross is strongly reflective of the Nativity. It makes no wonder, that the spirit of father Christmas is entangled with Denmark.


X-mas mail box flag from
National Lampoons X-mas

Christmas in July has several origins but one of the best reasons is that half the world is in the middle of winter. Jack Frost is hard at work down under from June to August.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Pooh Bear and Paddington posing for the California State Flag

Pooh Bear as the California Flag


Here are two more childhood bears posing for the California State Flag. Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear. Both of these magical bears were born in the United Kingdom. Winnie's first book was published in 1926 out the imagination of Alan Alexander Milne.

Coincidentally the creator of Paddington Bear - Michael Bond - was born the same year that the first Winnie the Pooh book was published, in 1926.

But it was shortly after the Korean War, that Paddington Bear left fantasia unto the real world on Christmas Eve 1956. Mr. Bond, or rather a special secret agent oh seven Bond from the UK,  bought a lonely bear on a shelf at Paddington Station in London, for his wife. So inspired by the bear, that two years later Paddington was in print. He later went on to become a cultural emissary for Great Britain.

Paddington Bear as the California Flag

Paddington Bear is of course much more popular in Great Britain, but nonetheless Paddington also has a following in the United States.

Paddington and Pooh are enchanted bears that represent more than just teddy bears. Their origins out of England during WWI and WWII are extraordinary. Their association with early childhood innocence is the hallmark of their being. These long established care bears remind us of the truly important things in life.

Care Bear & Hippie Bear Republics, styled after the California State Flag

Cheer Bear as the
California State Flag

Thirty years ago the fuzzy and cuddly Care Bears were unleashed upon America. The little fuzz puff bears have an amazing ability to send caring energy to kids and adults in need care from anyplace in the universe. No matter how bad it seems the population from Care-a-lot will send you love when you need it.


Before the Care Bears there were the Grateful Dead hippie bears. Although none of these clown like bears have names, they are coded icons associated with the band. The dancing bears apparently appear as fractal works of art into the musical void of creation...or something like that?

A Dead Head Bear on all fours
in tribute to the California State Flag

Coincidentally many of the members of the the Grateful Dead were native of the "California Republic."

An interesting difference between Care Bears and the Dancing Dead Head Bears are the shapes of their noses. Care Bear's have red noses like a heart, while Dead Head Dancing Bears have black noses like a spade. Both kinds of bears give off good vibes. The Care Bears do it openly and soberly, while the Dancing Dead Head Bears do it covertly and from altered states of consciousness.



The Yin and Yang of a Care Bear Nose vs. a Dancing Dead Head Bear Nose. Notice it's like the Suit of Hearts vs. the Suit of Spades


Care Bears Website http://www.agkidzone.com/care-bears
Grateful Dead Website http://www.dead.net/





California Republic Flag with Cartoon Bears - Smokey the Bear & Berenstain Bears

Smokey the Bear as the
California Republic Bear



Remember, only you can prevent forest fires! Don't make Somkey homeless with careless forest fires. If you do he will poop on your front yard.




Father Berestain Bear as the
California Republic Bear

Papa Barenstain Bear walking on all fours for some exercise. "Kids I'm a bear after all, we bears prefer to walk on all fours. And don't worry, I would never poop on your yard, that's just rude."



Monday, July 18, 2011

The Wilderness Explorers Flag and Signs that you're a Vexillologist

Wilderness Explorer's Flag from UP - 2009

The flag of the computer animated film Up 2009 by Disney-Pixar Studios makes an appearance near the end. It consists of white background with the Wilderness Explorers emblem - and orange disc bordered with a black circle. In the center is a green tree with three levels of branches. Centered is a yellow 'W' on the tree and a brown 'E' as the base stem.

If you act like this dog when you see a flag, then you are a vexillologist.

Send me and email or join us at our NAVA site
http://www.nava.org/

Doug the 'talking' dog explaining vexillology

Sunday, July 17, 2011

The California Republic - Yogi Bear & Fozzie Bear Style

Here are two of America's most famous bears posing for the flag of California - Yogi Bear and Fozzie Bear.

Yogi Bear as the California Republic Bear

Yogi is older, and made his debut in 1958. Yogi was formed out of the imagination of Hannah & Barberra. Yogi's personality stems from the entertainment of that era. A dash of the Honeymooner's, spiked with a famous baseball legend - Yogi Berra. But Yogi's primary occupation is to steal food from unsuspecting people who visit Jellystone Park. Yogi's favorite catch phrase is that he is, "Smarter than your average Bear."


Fozzie Bear as the California Republic Bear

Fozzie Bear was born out the imagination of Frank Oz and Jim Henson in the early 1970s. Fozzie made his debut in 1974 on the Muppet Show. Fozzie coincidentally dresses like his older cousin Yogi Bear - both bears wear a hat and collar/tie. Fozzy has more blue collar edge, while Yogi matches to white collar and coincidentally wears a white collar.

Fozzie Bear is essentially Kermit's sidekick and 'brother' by some strange twist of Muppet gene splicing. Fozzie like Yogi often suffer from verbal diarrhea and tell lame brain overplayed jokes.

Other the other hand the situation is reversed with Yogi Bear. Yogi is the main star and his tag along side kick is a rather dim witted yet charmingly cute Boo Boo Bear. Yogi and Fozzie are two iconic bears from the American Imagination. They can charm children as well as adults and their off beat never give up humor is sometimes funny, if not nostalgic. "Waka, Waka, Waka"

link to Hanna-Barberra's Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanna-Barbera
link to Jim Henson Studios http://henson.com/





Saturday, July 16, 2011

Human Flag, a new Olympic Sport?

Canadian Dominic Lacasse raising the bar as
the world record holder of the human flag

The video below is in German. Apparently a Canadian is the world record holder of the human flag sport! It's a great video but the music from Halloween is kinda' weird.

This would make a great Olympic Sport for men and women. The uniform would be a G-String to cover the bacon and eggs spot and body paint of the national flag you represent?

Just think of ratings you'd get for female body paint human flag posture holding!

Video in German of Human Flag