US and Pennsylvania flag in Ground Hog Day

 

Ground Hog Day is an American tradition, which started in Pennsylvania.  Just barely for a moment does the flag of Pennsylvania appear in this truly timeless American classic, Ground Hog Day, a movie that impressed a unique American value upon this quirky holiday.   The flag of Pennsylvania is in the background of the two men holding the orange 'Blizzard' sign.  Next to the greed '6 MORE WEEKS OF WINTER'   sign is the 50 starred US flag.  

 Ground Hog Day!  Unlike Christmas, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, Easter, Passover, Ramadan, Hannukah, Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, St. Patrick's Day, it is a true-blue All-American holiday like the 4th of July, and Thanksgiving.  Perhaps the quirkiest of American holidays? It's a non-denominational for all the people groups of the US.  Several flags appear in this movie, and thankfully the Pennsylvania State flag makes an appearance. 

The Muppet Family Christmas - Gonfalon

 

The rarest of flags these days is the Gonfalon.  One just happens to appear in the Muppet Family Christmas television special, from 1987.  The top part is sky blue and there is a wavy pattern underneath. 

Gonfalon's are large flags.  The neat thing about these types of flag is that they are presented properly and don't sag.  The face is of the flag is set up on a cross bar so that the image can be properly admired.  

It was during the special the Sesame Street, the Muppets, and Fraggle Rock all collided into each other.  It was made during Jim Henson's peak and the writing and jokes are not just for children, as they hit for adults as well.  

This is another long, lost American Christmas classic, that hits a home run and should be at the top of every Christmas list replay to get the holly jolly sprit a flowing. 

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.

 

#5. The Unwaved Flag in Churches—Benjamin Nickodemus

Benjamin Nickodemus gave a paper on an observation a European immigrant to the United States who experienced culture shock in many of the US Churches he visited.  The shocking element was the placement of the US flag near the holy of holy altars.  Not all churches in the US have flags in the church, but many set it on one of the flanking sides.  Although the US may pride herself on separation of the state and church, many churches are actively pro-inclusive to include symbols of the state in their church.

Nickodemus pointed out that many churches also fly the church flag along side the US flag, which is a white field with a blue canton and red cross.  However, Catholic Churches do not fly the 'protestant' Christian flag, instead they sometimes fly the Vatican flag, which is usually nowhere near the holy of holy altars.

Although the US promotes the separation of Church and State it may seem peculiar to some, that highest symbol of the state would be in a Church.  On the other hand, the use of Christian imagery within the state is ever so present.  Many legislative leaders are sworn in upon the Bible, likewise Christmas is a recognized Federal holiday.  Also note, US federal government does not recognize any Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Shinto or Native American Religious Holiday—only Christian Holidays.  

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 in Krampus - 2015

Several flags appear in the True to Life Nightmare Before Chirstmas...Universal's Krampus 2015.  In the opening sequence plastic red holiday pennant flags can be seen at the entranceway.  The store is obviously having a Christmas blowout sale, and the shoppers are show a corrupted spirit of Christmas.  It seems contagious as the staff, children, and older folks act in ugly and greedy fashions.  There is no famine, no natural disaster, no war threat, yet, their avarice and selfish spirit is a common place behavior during the American holiday season.  

The US flag makes a brief cameo in Universal's Krampus 2016.  During the introductory scene the 

US flag appears as a badge on the security store staff at the fictional Mucho Mart.  The flag is on the left shoulder of the security agents who have fired their tasers.  

The UK flag also makes a small appearance in Krampus as a bedroom decoration for the more than cool for family teenage daughter.  It is just barely lit in the background.

Krampus 2015 is the key note film that captures the feels and style of the 20-teens.  Cell phones, aggressive shoppers, and ghoulish bystanders who record heinous acts for joy as voyeuristic scandal-standers.

Flags in Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever - 2014

Grumpy Cat became more than a meme, a kind of institution in her own right.  In the movie Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever several flag make an appearance.  The US stars and stripes appear as a vest for the supporting heroine of the Lifetime movie.

The Grumpy Cat Christmas Special is light farce, something of a cartoon with silly antics for the whole family.  Grumpy steals the show.  It is packed with that spirit of the 20-tweens, wry and dry internet humor galore.   If you are a fan of Grumpy Cat, this is a cheesy delight for people who love cats.

Another vexilloid of interest are the frozen blue plastic pennants at Santa's Village.  You can just barely make them out on top of the candy cane towers on either side of Santa.   Santa at the mall is a staple in most subruban American communities.  Beforehand, Santa used to appear at larger general stores.

Another unique logo to appear in this movie is the 'Louieton Animal Rescue' seal.  It features a dog and a cat and typical circular seal.

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.

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

Illinois & North Dakota Holiday Flag

The Illinois Holiday Flag has Woodstock standing in for the National Bird.  Woodstock is also wearing a Santa hat and it is night time.  There is a moon rise over Lake Michigan and several constellations can be seen: the Big Dipper and Little Dipper.   The motto has changed to read 'Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.'  Lastly the olive branch turned into mistletoe.   The grass is no loner visible due to snowfall and the lake side has no waves since it is frozen over.

 Since Woodstock represents Illinois for the Holiday, another American avian icon from fantasia was chosen to represent North Dakota: Woody Woodpecker.  For the Christmas North Dakota flag Woody takes up position as the national bird.  He is red, white, and blue after all.

However Woody is carrying candy canes in the his left talon and holly in the right, which is sometimes used as an alternative to official mistletoe.  The motto has changed in his beak as well it now reads 'Merry Chirstmas.'  Woody is also wearing a Santa cap.   The aurora glow above the stars is red and green.  Along the bottom several Christmas balls are hanging from the North Dakota banner.

To really appreciate the design of the Illinois Holiday flag you need to look at the original.  Although the official flag does not have a golden circle, the official seal does.  Like all good Northpolarized flags night becomes day and the stars and moon are visible.

Below is the official North Dakota flag with the its Northpolarized version.  It definitely has more noise.  It is like the old debate of white lights versus coloured lights.  White lights never go wrong have an element of class.  But coloured lights offer a more playful and ranged essence.  Both are nice and its good the enjoy them all.

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/ 

Missouri & Iowa Christmas Flag

This year Missouri was decked out with the Christmas Spirit, along with its fraternal flag partner Iowa.  There are a few changes to the seal of Missouri as to make it Northpolarized.  Two polar bears with Santa Hats and red scarves are holding up the seal.  Likewise the garland has exploded into a burst of 24 snowflakes, instead of stars.  There is one large snow flake that represents Missouri.  The motto in the compartment now reads "Joy...to the World...Peace."  The belt is now red with yellow trim and reads, "Merry Christmas Ho Ho Ho."  Within the inner shield, a snowman replaces the US eagle seal.  The lower left quarter has a brown deer on yellow, instead of a bear silhouette.  Finally in the upper quarter, there is a four pointed yellow star on green.

The Iowa Holiday Flag is similar to the official flag, but instead of the North American Bald Eagle there is a Partridge in a Pear Tree.  The motto is also different.  It now reads, "Oh Come Holy Faithful, Joyful, and Triumphant.  Also, five pears are visible in the pear tree .

The Partridge in a Pear Tree is taken from the song on the 12 days of Christmas.  The reason Missouri and Iowa are presented here together is because their flags are in a concord, since both are tri-bars.  Basically each state has a special Wingman who looks out after the other.  In this case, Missouri's Wingman is Iowa, or rather Iowa's Wingwoman is Missouri. 

Official Dual-State Flags of New Jersey

New Jersey is one of the few states to have hybrid flags with all of its neighbors.  These flag were created by the port authorities of each neighbor.  The most famous is the New York-New Jersey Port Authority flag, since it deals with the most volume of traffic by people, air, and water.  Secondly, New Jersey shares its longest border with Pennsylvania, but the two states never touch soil to soil, yet many bridges link the two states.  This flag is known as the the Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania & New Jersey.  Finally, Delaware loves to hook up with New Jersey and has its own flag as well as the Delaware River & Bay Authority.

Who knew?  As the saying goes, the "We Love NJ" would be Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware.  They can't help but love the Jersey shore.   Washington loved New Jersey as well, for it was in this state that the US Army under General Washington held their ground and went toe to toe with the Empire, undercutting the theory that the rebels were a rag-tag group of boonniny knickers.  New Jersey also gave the US a Christmas present on 1776, when Washington got an appetizer of victory yet to come, when he crossed the Delaware River.

Y'all gotta give it up for Jersey. Just think...the negative stereotype of New Jersey matches to how people of the world see the USA...a scrappy upstart rude rabble?   Yeah...Jersey Jerkos are a real minority, but they are many more Jersey Superheroes hiding in the bushes and kind folk everywhere planted across the Garden State.  If you ever enjoyed a Monopoly game or played a version of your home state college or whatever...your spirit is now tied to New Jersey.  Never forget, New Jersey twice crowned General Washington with victory and triumph, first at Trenton 1776, then at Monmouth 1778. 

Oklahoma & South Dakota Flags Decked out with Christmas!

Deep in the heart of America is Oklahoma and South Dakota.  In this post, they are decked out with the Spirit of Christmas.  With Oklahoma, the heritage totems of the Native and Newcomer are reversed.  Instead of the olive branch to represent the Old World, a stalk of corn represents the New World.  Likewise the shield is totally turned into a decoration from the Old World, the Christmas Wreath.  Instead of seven feathers, there are seven red balls and a Santa Pipe replaces the Native American Peace Pipe.  Finally, six stars are visible in the middle with four points. 

For the North Polarized flag of South Dakota, it is a night's winter scene.   Instead of a man plowing a field with two horses, we see a Santa sleigh with two reindeer.  You can tell it is winter by the leafless trees on both sides of the river.  The moon is showing with stars in the background, and the state motto is replaced with "Merry Christmas to All."  And hanging from the chimney top are super sized icicles. 

Coincidentally both states have a strong beating streak of the Native American spirit, as their lands and traditions are kept alive in both states.  Likewise a large area of tribal lands make up the character of each state.  In a way South Dakota is the Oklahoma of the North.  Or rather, Oklahoma is the South Dakota of the Southern States?  South Dakota indeed has 'South' within its name, now we know why.


For a clear comparison of the state flag to the Holiday versions, take a look below.  Hope y'all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays!

An Appeal To Christmas Heaven Flag

 

It's that time of the year again.  One of the US Revolutionary flags designed, before the official adoption of official thirteen striped flag national flag, included a design of a lone pine tree.  It had various forms, but it also makes a perfect Christmas Tree.

This flag has the word CHRISTMAS inserted into the familiar phrase of An Appeal To Heaven.  Likewise there are thirteen presents with thirteen balls on the tree.

Merry Christmas!

Holiday State Flags for Hanukkah and Diwali - Virginia and Massachusetts

Massachusetts Diwali Themed Flag - An Old World Indian

Every year a set of flags has been decked out with the Holiday Spirit.  However this year, the spirit for the festivals of lights has been chosen.  Coincidentally Judaism and Hinduism have celebrations dedicated to a festive atmosphere of lighting candles.

Note that Diwali falls 'on the darkest night' which can fall in October or November, likewise Hanukkah can fall anywhere from November to December.

In much of India, the festival of Diwali is a cherished holiday. Many countries with significant India populations, like Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago also recognize it.

In contrast, for much of USA, this world wide festival of lights is much of an off the radar mystery.  But things are changing, surely and slowly schools, and Western commercial calendars are recognizing this holiday.  Perhaps someday in the near future, Diwali will gain recognition to "weather graphic status."  Meaning, that someday a small icon like a Rangoli or Diya lamp will appear on your local weekly weather forecast; Christmas and Hanukkah always get a weather graphic as does Thanksgiving, Halloween, Kwanzaa, and the 4th of July.

Diya Lamps of Diwali

Massachusetts was the chosen flag to become Diwalizised.  The flag plays on that persistent ethnic misnomer, as the first White men to live in the Americas thought they were in Asia; subsequently the first Whites to this hemisphere mistakenly labeled the Indigenous-Native Americans as: Indians.  Native Americans from Chile to Alaska hardly have any familial lineage to India.  Nonetheless it has resulted in this perpetual mix up.  The word Indian invokes two distant spirits: that of the Old World-South Asia Indian and the New World-American Indians.

It's like the confusion created with the word for 'hot' for food.  Is the food hot by temperature or hot by spice? Food can be hot in the sense of objective temperature, or it can be hot by causing a false burning sensation as induced by chili peppers.  Sure, people try to say spicy, but spicy can also just mean spices in the sense of seasoning, and not all spices cause a burning sensation, even though the food may be lukewarm or room temperature.  It's one of those things that nobody has managed to fix.  Perhaps 'picante' is the best word to describe food has that has a 'heat-seasoning' flavor?

Anyways, for Massachusetts the India person is wearing traditional clothes that includes a sari. The Diya has replaced the white star; a Diya is a clay oil lamp.  There are several stories related to Diwali.  But a common theme is that a God or Goddess slays the evil demon with an arrow.  In one story Sathyabama, a female princess, kills the demon with her bow and arrow.  Yet there are other versions of this story where an avatar of Vishnu as Rama shoots the triumphant arrow.  But the bottom line is, it's a celebration of good over evil.  The common theme of family and gift giving is also present, which has been heavily commercialized. 

Another change on Massachusetts' flag is the arm coming from the wreath.  The English-man's sword is replaced with one arm of Vishnu holding his sacred Gada.  A Gada is a type of weapon, a kin to a mace, yet it has a deeper meaning.  The gentile would mistake it as a rattle, yet it is much more.  It typically represents strength and power, both of the body and the mind.  Finally the wreath has is bright colours, as found within designs of the Rangoli.  Rangoli are colourful floral like patterns often made from sand.

Virginia State Flag Chanukized

Now for Virginia, as each US state flag is aligned with a fraternal flag partner; Massachusetts' wingman is Virginia. It is a proverbial bond of Father of the North, Massachusetts, with Mother of the South, Virginia.

In this case the holiday of Hanukkah is honored.  The Virginia state flag has been Hanukkized with the spirit of Hebrew lights.  The flag fits so perfectly, as the woman stands triumphantly on a Dictator.  Likewise Hanukkah is partly a celebration of God's preminent voice over the Olympian Gods of Greece.  However for the Virginia's Hanukkaized flag, a Hebrew woman holds the scrolls of the Torah in her left hand and completely lit Menorah in her right hand.  She is stands on a Greco-Selucid tyrant.  The fallen crown of the king is replaced with a dreidel, showing the letters Shin, which has the three arms and Hey.  Also the Latin phrase of  Sic Semper Tyrannis has been translated in the Hebrew:לכן תמיד לרודנים.  

Just remember you don't have to be Jewish to celebrate Hanukkah.  It is a precious moment in history, before the birth of of Islam and Christianity, when the God of Abraham was in harmonic union with mankind as agreed by all the subsequent paths to unfold from this most precious of tribes.  The Greco-Selucids were last of Empires to rule over the Holy Land, before the conquest of Rome, upon which Christianity was fertile to spout.

If ya didn't know, dreidels are used to gamble as a spinning top game to win prizes.  The rules are really simple.  Depending on which side it lands you can win the pot (Letter Gimmel- the Santa Face), get some of the pot (Letter Hey- the Fireplace Stocking), give to pot (Letter Shin - Give to Charity Heart), or have nothing happen (Letter Noon- a Simple Snowflake).  Coincidentally during the Hindu Festival of lights, gambling is a set tradition too!  

Although Hinduism and Judaism are universes apart, they are coming closer and closer, like the union of the Milky Way with Andromeda Galaxy.  Certainly in the future, when Diwali is honored as much as Hanukkah in the United States, the world will be different place.  Maybe someday the US Post Office will finally issue Diwali themed Postage Stamps?  No doubt, we will see that day.

Diya Lamp Image Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali#/media/File:Diya_necklace_Dipavali_Diwali_November_2013.jpg

The state flag of Virginia being Hanukized makes harmonious sense, since West Virginia has been North Polarized with the Christmas Spirit.  The concord being that Virginia represents the Original Testament of Virginia, while West Virginia is the New Testament to a New Virginia.  You can see the Holiday Santatastic Flag of West VA here!