Atlantic City Expressway Flag

Atlantic City Expressway Icon
with red flag in the center

A road with a flag? This is one road that can lead to a bust or boom, more often a bust. This limited access road was made in the interest of connecting the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area to Atlantic City - or rather to the hometown of Monopoly to the Delaware Valley. But due to a recent liberalization of Pennsylvania gambling laws - Atlantic City no longer holds a gambling monopoly on the Delaware Valley.

The logo of the Atlantic City Expressway features a life preserver with a red flag on a white hoist. The red flag shaped like a pennant shaped guidon - in a similar style to the Ohio State Flag.

Red is the colour of passion, danger, and excitement. This is a fitting for flag that leads to the unpredictable and dangerous hi-way of fateful chance.

Meaning of the Red Guidon
Letter B - International Maritime Signaling
Loading/Offloading Dangerous Cargo IMS
Letter N - Russian Navy
Explosives UK & Russian Navies
Going to Fire - Russian Navy
Expressway to Atlantic City - PA-NJ

The red Atlantic City flag is similar to the letter B or Bravo flag of International Maritime Signaling. Its secondary meaning is of a warning flag that means a ship is either taking up or releasing dangerous goods.

In the British Royal Navy it specifically refers to explosives, while in the Russian Navy it means the letter N and its secondary meaning is - I am going to fire off a shot or load ammunition.

Flag of the Enaran from - Star Trek Voyager

Flag of the Enaran
in a traditional Earth format

a fictional species from Star Trek Voyager

Star Trek Voyager was the fourth live action Star Trek television series. In this series the team is lead by female captain Kathryn Janeway - played by Kate Milgrew.

In one episode they come across an alien species who can share memories and thoughts telepathically - the Enaran. Upon the introduction of these species, the flag of the Enaran is displayed and talked about.

As it appeared in
Star Trek Voyager

The Enaran flag uses green, blue, black and light-indigo colour. It is similar to a vertical tri-bar with green on the outer bars and blue in the middle. There are also two thinner black vertical stripes that separate the three main green-blue-green bars. In the center is a diamond shape, fimbrated in a light-indigo. The left and right triangle ends of the inner diamond are counter charged to the background bar colours. The center it features a light blue hexagon.

The great coincidence about Kate Milgrew is like William Shatner - the original Captain Krik - she was the second choice to play the lead captain in their respective Star Trek shows. This proves that second place is sometimes better than first. Also Captain Krik was 'born' in Iowa, and the actress Kate Milgrew was actually born in Iowa.

Video about the Enaran with flags

First Flags on the Moon, planted by the Soviet Union

Soviet Soccer Ball Pentagonal Pennants

On the Moon in 1959, 52 years ago today
may have melted on impact

Although the United States was the first nation to have men walk, talk, and plant a traditional flag on the moon - the Soviet Union put their national totems on it first, when Ike was president.

52 years ago the Reds were able to chuck a man made thunderbolt to the moon, 10 years before moonwalk was invented. The craft was an unmanned vehicle - Luna 2.

The first vexilloloids on the moon were initially shaped like a soccer ball. When the 'Communist Soccer Ball' hit the moon the it was supposed to explode and release its pentagonal 'shards' at the landing site - the Sea of Showers. Whether or not the 'flag' shards melted - will be determined at another date, nonetheless Luna 2's mission to the moon was a cosmic goal for the history books. Also note, the Sea of Serenity is quite different from the Sea of Tranquility. In case you forgot, the Sea of Tranquility is where JFK's dream of landing on the moon came true, and where America pulled ahead of the Soviet Union, in more ways than one.

A month after Luna 2's smashing success, Luna 3 journeyed to the dark side of the moon for the first time, and boldly sent back images than have never been seen before. But mankind had to wait 6 more years before the first soft landing on the moon - 1966 with Luna 9. Since Luna 9 had a soft landing in the Ocean of Storms - Oceanus Procellarum - lonely red metallic flags have been collecting space dust for the past 45 years.

Adoption of the Confederate Florida State Flag, 150 years ago today

Florida's Confederate State Flag

adopted today 150 years ago today

The Confederacy had hundreds of flags under its name. There were three versions of the national flag, different battle and regimental flags, and perhaps the best remembered is the rectangular version of the battle flag. Remember that the battle flag was officially square - in theory but not always in practice.

The second version of the Confederate Navy Jack looks like the dominant modern version seen on the covers of books, posters, and pickup trucks.

Less popular are the state flags adopted by the individual states within the Confederacy. And it was 150 years ago today, that Florida adopted its own State flag under the Confederacy. It was basically the Florida Confederate Seal on blue with a mixed design of the first version of the Official Confederate Flag.

The rare 11 starred Confederate Flag
'at equilibrium version'
From July 2, 1861 to November 26, 1861

The first version of Confederate flag had four versions, that varied with the numbers of stars in the canton. The number of stars varied between 7, 9, 11, and 13. They were linked to the number of states in the Confederacy. Note that the Confederate flag never had an even number of stars - at least officially.



The seal featured a tree in the center by the shore. There are two ships in the distance. In front of the tree is a cannon pointing towards to hoist. To the right of the tree are a tepee stack of flags and pikes - on the far right is the Confederate Flag (eleven stars), while on the left you can see the Confederate Florida State Flag. To the left and in front of the tree is another tepee stack of four guns. Finally in the front foreground is a war drum and a pile of cannon shot.

In the ring around the seal is the Florida Confederate State Motto -
"In God is Our Trust."

Interestingly the Confederate Florida State Flag became official when 11 states made up the Confederacy. Over the course of the war, the Union only ever recognized 11 states as a part of the Confederacy. Before the end of 1861, two more states were accepted into the Confederacy - Missouri and Kentucky. However the Union never recognized this action, partly because the political efforts to join the Confederacy did not occur at either official state capital. Subsequently after the war neither Missouri nor Kentucky underwent Reconstruction.

So in a weird way the state flag of Florida under the Confederacy captures the eleven starred version of the Confederate Flag, before it had 13 stars. Eleven is also a point of political equilibrium when both the Union and Confederacy saw eye to eye, as to the number of states in rebellion. Also at this time, both the Union and Confederacy legally enforced and protected the institution of slavery.

The odd question is how many flags are on the Confederate Florida State flag? Since the seal repeats itself on the seal within - in theory it has an infinite number of Confederate flags. But in practice and reality there are only two flags on a Confederate Florida State Flag, maybe eight if you can sew real good?

The Confederate Florida State flag is the only 'US State Flag' to exhibit an 'infinite digression of design' since it features a seal that has its own flag on it - the inner seal has another pair of flags. Thus in theory there are and infinite number of Confederate Flags. It's like the phenomena of looking into two mirrors and seeing the an infinite reflection of reflections. But in the case of Florida's Confederate State Flag, the repeating flags would get smaller and smaller.

Ironically this design echoes of forever, is like a luminous shadow of the mystical fountain of youth.

The Florida State Flag with 11 starred National Confederate Flag
image is based on the flags as they appear
on the FL State Flag under the Confederacy

Baloo & Boo Boo Bear as the California Republic Bear

Boo Boo Bear on the California State Flag

Yogi Bear's loveable side kick is Boo Boo Bear. Boo Boo may be the world's favorite side kick. Born at the beginning of the space age in 1958 Boo Boo got a his big break in Yogi' Bears Big Break.

Bears have been always sacred totems in the Native American tradition, but in Modern America the appreciation of the bear has gone to new levels of enchantment. Usually animated - these bears from fantasia have become virtual teachers and friends.

Baloo Bear as the California State Flag

Another fictional bear - Baloo Bear - originates from the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. The animated Baloo was featured in Walt Disney's adaptation of the Jungle Book in 1967. Baloo is a caring bear, who helps a lost orphan boy find his way. Baloo is the idealized over-sized big brother bear of protection. His mantra was, "All you need in life are the bare necessities."

Boo Boo bear is the lovable naive little brother bear of good conscience, while Baloo Bear is the wise big brother bear of protection.

Baloo Singing about the Bare Necessities


Boo & Yog in a Service Ad

Tepui Flag

Tepui Flag

The Tepui are proverbial islands in the sky. More romantic that the table rock mountain, these unique formations of South America are a natural balance the Grand Canyon of North America.

Long considered sacred by the natives they were the inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World and Disney's Up.


The flag features four colours: blue, white, yellow and green. There are five semi-circles along the bottom that represent clouds. The yellow trapezoid represents the steep edges of the Tepui. The green table top represents the biosphere that has been separated from the bottom. The sky is blue while the sun is represented by a five pointed yellow star - lest we forget that the Sun to is one of many yellow stars.

Flags of the Greatest Generation - US & Soviet Alliance

Soviet Union raising flag over the Reichstag

Photo of a lone solder who became
as the other statues in the background

There are two famous photographs of flags from WWII that captured in essence the victory of the Allies. Both photographs were actually second takes from a previous action to raise either flag. Coincidentally, both the Soviet banner and 48 US Stared flags are no longer official flags.

May 2, 1945 by Yevgeny Khaldei
Lone Soldier hoisting flag supported by a comrade over the Reichstag Building
Returned to Germany
Defeat of the West from the East


United States of America
The four US Marines become
symbols of the nation with the flag

February 23, 1945 by Joe Rosenthal.
5 US Marines
Mt. Suribachi
Returned to Japan
Defeat of the East from the West


WWII was the epic struggle of wars that heralded the space age and use of nuclear weapons. The US and Soviet Union were both latecomers. The Soviet entered in the Summer of 1941, while the United States entered in the Winter of 1941.

Although the US and Soviet Union were allies and victorious, soon afterwards the world would simmer in a virtual World War III, that took place on nearly every continent, ocean and even in outer space. Before peace with Japan and Germany was settled the left and right wings of earth dove into a death struggle in the most ancient of nations - Greece and China. Soon the Soviet Union and USA followed in their wake, taking sides on Korean Soil.

From 1945 unto 1991 the Soviet Union and United States clashed and harmonized like Yin and Yang. Although the Soviet Union 'lost' this war, the United State too underwent a metamorphosis - as the America of 1945 was no more by 1991, with a new flag by its constellation of stars.

In 1945 the United States of America had a racial caste system enforced by law. In some regions it was enforced lightly while in others it was enforced with deadly vigilante violence. However the Anglo-Saxon Cultural Revolution of the 1960s forever changed role of races and gender roles, in America and around the world.

By 1991 the Soviet Union was choking under monotheism of one nation under one path. Their American foe of 1958 was a different nation by 1988. The Soviets seemed to recognize that freedom, choice, and faith were attractive, if not essential, elements on the perpetual journey towards utopia.

Friend, Enemy? Allies from 1941-1950
Dates when flags were official
















Just before their Sacrifices, this speech was given in 1940
by Charlie Chaplin as a Satire on the Third Reich
Synced with modern videos

ICV 24 - Table Displays and Other Fun Stuff

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 1 - Bonus Presentation, Murder over a Confederate Flag

Day 1 - Bonus Speaker, Dr. Phillip Rault
France - Brittany

Confederate Flag revealed

In between Arthur Etchell's and Annie Platoff's first scheduled presentation we were given an informal vexi-bit about the first Civil War, Union Colonel to die over a flag.

On May 24, 1861 Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth - Mr. E.E.E, was shot and killed for taking down a Confederate Flag that was flying over the Marshall House - now the Monaco Hotel. The owner of the building, James Jackson was a firebrand secessionist.


As Colonel EEE came down the stairs while still holding the Confederate Flag, he was shot and killed. In retaliation for Ellsworth's death, the NY 11th Zoavue Regiment executed Mr. Jackson in retribution.

The building is still standing today as the Hotel Monaco. As an option for the ICV Congress delegates, they could have stayed at this location.

Later that day attendees were invited to retrace the history with a visit to this historic 'Civil War' hotel.


Video

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 5 -36th Presentation by Jan Oskar Engene, Norway

Day 5 - Speaker #37
NORWAY

The thirty sixth and final presentation was given by Jan Oskar Engene and was entitled Four Forgotten Norwegian Ensigns.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 5 - 35th Presentation by Ralph Kelly, Australia

Day 5 - Speaker #36
AUSTRALIA

The thirty fifth presentation was given by Ralph Kelly and was entitled Southern Cross Down Under.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 5 -34th Presentation by Jos Poels, Netherlands

Day 5 - Speaker #35
NETHERLANDS

The thirty fourth presentation was given by Jos Poels and was entitled The Orange Pennant: The Dutch Response to a Flag Dilemma.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 5 - 33rd Presentation by Tadej Jakopic, Slovenia

Day 5 - Speaker #34
SLOVENIA

The thirty third presentation was given by Tadej Jakopic and was entitled The 20th Anniversary under the Slovene Flag.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 5 - 32nd Presentation by Christopher Maddish, USA

Day 5 - Speaker #33

The thirty third presentation was given by Christopher Maddish and was entitled The Mysterious John Hewson-Martha Washington Flag.

The Martha Washington Flag
"Lost Flag from the American Revolution"
this is not a British Ensign

Nearly all the records and details about the flags flown in the early part of the American Revolution are scanty or were lost. But I proved to the world of vexillology that 'lost flags' still exist.

My talk centered on a mysterious handkerchief made during the early part of the American Revolution before the stars and stripes were adopted. The handkerchief in question was apparently made by John Hewson in Philadelphia at the request of Martha Washington. It features General Washington on horseback surrounded by four flags. Three are well remembered - the Rattlesnake Gadsden, 13 stripe, and pine tree. But one has been misidentified as colonial British ensign. Rather it is a 13 ray pinwheel design, in a similar tone to the Japanese Rising Sun flag, minus the sun.

I gave an overview of the handkerchief's origin and a short biography of John Hewson - who was a patriot as well as refined artist. Finally I proposed a name for this 'lost' flag of the American Revolution as the "Martha Washington Flag."

The Martha Washington Flag like the other three were not regimental banners. Rather the flags of the handkerchief, like George Washington on horse back, were intended to be national symbols of the American Revolution. They were in fact unofficial de facto flags of the American Revolution in the early phase of the American Revolution.

Three flags are well remembered, and at long last for the final banner, its time has come.

Introdutory video Shown at the Congress

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 5 -31st Presentation by Peter Ansoff

Day 5 - Speaker #32
USA

The thirty first presentation was given by Peter Ansoff and was entitled Sir Charles Fawcett Redux: The Historical Connection between the British East India Company Flag and the American Continental Colors.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 5 - 30th Presentation by Francisco Gregoric

Day 5 - Speaker #31
ARGENTINA

The thirtieth presentation was given by Francisco Gregoric and was entitled The Flag of the City of Buenos Aires: Four Centuries of History.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 5 - 29th Presentation by Avelino V. Couceriro R.

Day 5 - Speaker #30

The twenty ninth presentation was given by Avelino V. Couceiro R. and was entitled Aquella Bandera Cubana...La Original.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day5 - 28th Presentation by Kenneth Hartvigsen

Day 5 - Speaker #29

The twenty-eighth presentation was given by Kenneth Hartvigsen and was entitled Picturing Flag Violence in Civil War Sheet Music: The Case of "Down With the Traitors' Serpent Flag."

This presentation was the winner of William Driver Award under the 45th NAVA congress.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - After Session Rogue Presentation?

Unknown persons with flag
North Lodge Room August 4th, 2011
Appeared around 5:30-6:00 pm EST

On the fourth day of the International Congress of Vexillology a 'rogue' unregistered flag waving event occurred at the main speaker's forum in the North Lodge room of the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

While assisting Peter Ansoff with the computer and video preparation for the final day of presentations, two unregistered persons walked to the front of the stage and raised a large world quilt flag. They did not speak but let their flag do the speaking - it heralded along the top"Jesus King of the Nations." This was apparently make by 'worshipbanners.org'. Unseen in the video is the message along the bottom that states "Every Tongue Will Confess."

Close up of Jesus King of the Nations Flag

I was lucky enough to get a snap shot of these unknown unregistered, 'rogue vexillologists' caught in the act. This is perhaps the first time that unregistered persons made a flag statement at a ICV congress, on the speakers forum without permission.

Previously at the 23 International Congress of Vexillology, after the tour bus departed from the controversial Yasukuni Shrine three demonstrators on the edge of the shrine were waving the Tibet, Mongolian, and Uyghur flags. However the waving of these 'ethnic' groups in China was not at the speakers forum.

Rogue Flag display video at ICV 24


It's a good bet this is where they got their flag from

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - Special Lunch Hour Presentation by Ben Zaricor

Day 4 - ICV Special Presentation

An extra presentation was given during the lunch hour by Ben Zaricor and vexillologists around the world were given shown several historical American Flags from the Zaricor Collection.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - 27th Presentation by Michel R. Lupant, Belgium

Day 4 - Speaker #28
BELGIUM

The twenty seventh presentation was given by Michel R. Lupant and was entitled Form the Trust Territory of the Pacific to the Federated States of Micronesia.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - 26th Presentation by Rob Raeside, Canada

Day 4 - Speaker #27
CANADA - Nova Scotia

The twenty sixth presentation was given by Rob Raeside and was entitled The Maritime Influence on the Municipal Flags of Atlantic Canada.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - 25th Presenation by Roman Klimes, Germany

Day 4 - Speaker #26
GERMANY

The twenty fifth presentation was given by Roman Klimes and was entitled Gibraltar: The Rock with its own Symbols.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - 24th Presentation by Bruce Berry, South Africa

Day 4 - Speaker #25
SOUTH AFRICA

The twenty fourth presentation was given by Bruce Berry and was entitled Stillborn: Flags Designed for the "Republic of KwaNdebele".

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - 23rd Presentation by Marcel van Westerhoven, Netherlands

Day 4 - Speaker #24
NETHERLANDS

The twenty third presentation was given by Marcel van Westerhoven and was entitled Translating Coasts of Arms and Emblems into Flags.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - 22nd Presentation by Patrice de la Condamine, France

Day 4 - Speaker #23
FRANCE

The twenty second presentation was given by Patrice de la Condamine and was entitled Flags of Constructed Languages.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - 21st Presentation by Ralph G. C. Bartlett, Australia

Day 4 - Speaker #22
AUSTRALIA

The twenty first presentation was given by Ralph G. C. Bartlett and was entitled Unity in Flags.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 -20th Presenation by Sebastia Herros Agui, Spain

Day 4 - Speaker #21
SPAIN - CATALUNYA

The twentieth presentation was given by Sebasetia Herreros Agui and was entitled Catalan Modernism and Vexillology.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 -19th Presenation by Tony Burton, Australia

Day 4 - Speaker #20
AUSTRALIA

The nineteenth presentation was given by Tony Burton and was entitled Raising the Standard: An Argument from Design.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 4 - 18th Presentation by Alain Raullet, France

Day 4 - Speaker #19
France - Brittany

The eighteenth speaker was given by Alain Raullet and was entitled Following the Voice: The Eyes of Vexillology.

Flags of the World Meeting and Display Tables

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology's Vexi-Bits

Vexi-bits are a proud tradition at every NAVA meeting, likewise the 24th International Congress of Vexillology was no exception. Vexi-bits are small presentations centered on flags, they are mostly fun fact trivia items or miscellaneous anecdotes. Vexi-bits can basically be about anything - even flag 'stealing' squirrels.

The Vexi-bits for ICV #24 took place in the open dining hall of Embassy Suites Alexandria, the forlorn Capital of the United States from 1790-1847,
The following vexi-bits are in no particular order:


Vexi-bit #1: Geoff Parsons - talked a wee bit about the UK flag, and maybe regular Brits will be able to fly the Union Flag without legal mumbo-jumbo. We learned about what they do at The Flag Institute. The UK Flag Institute does not yet have a royal charter but one may be coming soon. Nonetheless the UK Flag Institute continues to act as the leading flag recorder for the United Kingdom.



Vexi-bit #2: Marcus Schmoger spoke again about the arms and flag of San Marino. FYI, San Marino is a nation inside of Italy. Usually a nation is on the border with another or at least has a coast line. But San Marino is like Lesotho in South Africa.




Vexi-bit #3: Arthur Etchells talked about his vast collection of military flags for Czech, Austria and other Northern European countires.





Vexi-bit #4: Annie Platoff - more info on conspiracy theorists about US flag on the moon . Platoff said the flags for the Apollo missions varied. The Apollo 11 and 12 US flags were 3' x 5' and the flags for Apollo 13 thru 16 flags were 2.5' x 4' and the Apollo 17 flag was 3.5' x 6.6.'






Vexi-bit #5: Phillip Rault - spoke again about the deaths of flying the Confederate Flag at the Monaco Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia; other Confederate flags; and Irish starry plow flag. He also showed of his own flag for the of Brittany Liberation. It has a Celtic Sun with nine rays. The colours are black, orange and white in horizontal tri-bar form - black on the bottom, orange in the middle, and white up top. The middle orange bar is thinnest while the upper white bar is thickest.



Vexi-bit #6: Tony Burton - Showed us a comprehensive survey about flags of Australia. And showed us a Islamic War-Prayer Flag: white Arabic Calligraphy on black and the another that was black Arabic on a white background.






Vexi-bit #7: Chris Bedwell - Presented the city flag of Phoenix, Arizona. If is composed a North American bald eagle facing the fly with wings spread on top of a rather large yellow sun with many short red rays.





Vexi-bit #8: Peter Hans Van den Muijzenberg - Jacks and flags of Europe.







Vexi-bit #9: Bill Trinkle - gave airtime about the wonderful and virtual Bear Flag Museum. Spoke about native sons of the Golden West - who celebrated the 50 anniversary as a state in 1900. This group made extra effort to promote their flag. Showed us the California Democratic Convention flag of 1984 which fused the Dem Donkey in Cali-style. Trinkle also showed us a flag of Marin County - a horizontal tri-bar from the bottom up of blue, red, and orange. It has a double swallow tail, in the center is a white shape of the county, and by the fly are the letter M on orange, C on red, and F on blue near the fly. Ted Kaye suggested that it may not be the flag and rather represent the Marin County Fair.




Vexi-bit #10: Jim Farrigan III - Made a joke that - "sacred cows make the best hamburgers." He told the story of a printing error for the California State flag with blue bears. We were told about the origin of the California Blue Bear flags. It started out as a mistake, but were all sold as novelties. He knew the Democrats were going to loose the 1984 election because the CA democratic party wanted to rent a presidential flag instead of purchasing one.



Vexi-bit #11: Roman Klimes - spoke a wee bit about European Flags.





Vexi-bit #12: A bit about NY State flags


Vexi-bit #13: Ted Kaye - Enlightened us about the on goings of the Portland Flag Association. It has about 20-25 members with an average of 12 persons showing up for each meeting. This truly unique "Oregon-ization" has become the leading voice in Portland for effective flag design. Kaye also showed us the first semi-official vexillological 'Flag Police Padge.' In the center was a coloured version of the official state seal of Oregon.




Vexi-bit #14: Amy Langston - the youngest speaker and vexillologist at the ICV 24. She spoke about how she became interested in flags. She became aware of this congress though Wikipedia, and decided to attend. She like many vexilloligist recalled an interest in flags tracing back to the flag section in an Almanc that was foundational to her interest in flags.










Vexi-bit #15: Jelena Borošak-Marijanović - We saw a Croatian warship flag. It features the famous Croatian Checker Coat of Arms with two crossed golden anchors in the background.






Vexi-bit #16: Nick Artimovich - Exposed his methodology of getting old retired flags from the US State Department - that included old Afghanistan and old Finland flags.







Vexi-bit#17: Clyde Simpson - He added a discussion of science/chemistry with vexillology. Simpson also noted that it being his first ICV and enjoyed everyones warmth and friendliness.





Vexi-bit #18: Marlene Little - She showed us a South Korean Flag handbag that she got through her local church when visitors from South Korea came to visit. It is a combination of vexillology and fashion. The red and blue symbol is based upon the ancient Chinese philosophy of Daoism - which heeds a strong call for balance.





Vexi-bit #19: - A new UK Union flag was presented - including the Welsh Cross of St. David and Red Cross for Ulster. Virtual-Imaginary vexillology got a boost with presentation of imaginary Kingdom of Aefira. The flags of Aefira followed in format the official flag of the UK.














Vexi-bit #20: William Ang - Retro-60s/70s electronic vexi-art was shown. The US pyramid with flashing lights dazzled our eyes.





Vexi-bit #21: He told us to write on the heading any important places where you may fly a flag. We also saw a mini-model in proportion of the original Star Spangle Banner from the War of 1812.




Vexi-bit #22: Colin Simpson - He spoke about noticing flags while on a cruse in Alaska.



Vexi-bit #23: John Hartvigsen - a great talk about flag making with jokes and weird but true stories.



Vexi-bit #24: Ron Strachan from Australia spoke and showed us a colourful and design for the flag of Tiwi Island.










Vexi-bit #24: Christopher Maddish - I spoke about my flag proposals for the bodies of water on earth and flags for moons and any other heavenly body in our solar system.

--------------------------------------------------------------

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 3

On the third day attendees of the 24th International Congress of Vexillology lived up to its proper name and convened in Washington DC, instead of Alexandria, Virginia.

Vexillologists were given a behind the scenes look at some of some of Smithsonian's priceless collection of flags. The grand hi-light of the tour was a look at official Star Spangled Banner from the second Anglo-American War of 1812.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology General Assembly

The International Congress of Vexillology formally met today in the north lodge room at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

It was my first time to attend as an official delegate representing the hosting group of the Chesapeake Bay Flag Association.

ICV 24 Voting Card

1. A vexillological association was the nation of Georgia was formally admitted.
2. The 2013, 25th ICV Congress in the Netherlands was further confirmed.
3. The 2015, 26th ICV Congress in Australia was further confirmed.
4. The 2017, 27th ICV Congress was up for debate. The Untied Kingdom was offered up as a venue but the matter. But the matter was not settled and to be decided at a later date.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 2 - 17th Presentation by Suzanne Thomassen-Kraussg, USA

Day 2 - Speaker #18
USA - Columbia, the Washington District


The seventeenth presentation was given by Suzanne Thomassen-Krauss and was entitled Discoveries Made while Preserving the Star-Spangled Banner. Thomassen-Kraus works at the Smithsonian and works to conserve textiles of all sorts - including flags. She gave us general picture on the conservation on the conservation of the Star Spangled Banner.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 2 - 16th Presentation by Anne M. Platoff, USA

Day 2 - Speaker #8 & #18
second time speaking
USA - Kansas

The sixteenth presentation was also the second presentation given by Anne M. Platoff and was entitled Six Flags over Luna: The Role of Flags in Moon Landing Conspiracy Theories.

Platoff a former employee of NASA refuted the claims of groups that believe that the US faked the US moon landing, with special focus on flag pictures.

For her wonderful presentation Platoff would win the award for best American Presentation by the ICV Congress Board.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 2 - 15th Presentation by Ales Brozek, Czech

Day 2 - Speaker #17
Czech

The fifteenth presentation was given by Ales Brozek and was entitled Did the United States Influence the Czechoslovak National Flag?

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 2 - 14th Presentation by Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, Netherlands

Day 2 - Speaker #16
NETHERLANDS

The fourteenth presentation was given be Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg and was entitled On a Scale of 1 to 10.

Muijzenberg from Friesland gave us a splendid presentation about the methodology of judging a flag for its effectiveness on a scale of 1 to 10. Ten being judged and excellent flag and one being a judged a horrible flag.


The K Scale was shows where a flag receives points from 0-2 on five aspects.
1. Simple
2.Meaning
3. 2-3 Colours
4. No letters, no seals
5. Distinctive or related

Huijzenberg notes that some criteria are subjective, does not address meaning, and is limited by its base list. There is need to globally validate the criteria.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 2 - 13th Presentation by Lee L. Harold, USA

Day 2 - Speaker #15
USA - Minnesota

The thirteenth presentation was given by Lee L. Herold and was entitled Why Flags? Searching for an Essence of Flag.

Herold began his presentation with thoughtful quote from Tolstoy about political dissent. He went on in a deliciously poetic and cerebral prose on the deeper meaning of flags and what they have to offer.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 2 - 12th Presentation by Scot Guenter, USA

Day 2 - Speaker #14
USA - California

The twelfth presentation was given by Scot Guenter and was entitled The Rise and Fall of Worldface: Social Networking, Stereotyping, and the Power of Flags.

Dr. Guenter gave a humorous belly aching presentation of the short history of World Face and its use of flags. World Face was parody site in a similar manner to Unencyclopedia is to Wikipedia. In this case World Face is only open to specific nation states. The humor stems from the classical formula of the juxtaposition of tweets and posts that mimic the international tensions between nations. This personalization of nations as virtual face book people has resulted in political bickers.

Basically it face book became an online virtual computer doll program where nations were mocked rather acutely and successful in a Face Book format. The playful use of a copy cat face book modeled the trappings of a website.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology, Day 2 - 11th Presentation by Marcus E.V. Schmoger, Germany

Day 2 - Speaker #13
GERMANY

The eleventh presentation was given by Marcus E.V. Schmoger and was entitled Political Party Flags of San Marino.

Schomoger gave us a vivid account about the story behind the Arms of San Marino and its use by political parties in San Marino, a little known micro-nation within Italy. The pattern is similar to Croatia with socialist and communist parties using traditionally red, and now white. But the common theme irrespective of party affiliation is the use of the three towers that can be found on the national coat of arms for San Marino.