NY & NJ the Big Apple & the Zesty Tomato

New Jersey State Flag
Goddess Liberty & Goddess Ceres (Abundance)
New York and New Jersey have similar flag charges. They are the only states with goddess supporters on both sides. On both their left sides they have the goddess Liberty holding phrygian-freedom hats on poles, but the supporters on the right differ. New Jersey has the goddess Ceres who represents abundance of grain-cereal crops, thus 'cereal' is derived from Ceres. New York has the goddess Justice who is blindfolded and holding a sword and scales.

New York State Flag

Goddess Liberty and Justice

The background colours of their flags differ, but the combination is patriotic. Oftentimes people will mistake the background colour of New Jersey as yellow, partly due to sun bleaching. The colour's official name is buff, which in layman's terms is a light khaki with a tint of yellow. New York's colours are dark blue. When you combine them you get the official colours of George Washington's regimental colours: buff and blue.

New Jersey are New York are like Yin and Yang of American culture. New York has the reputation as being the white collar, classy and just a bit snooty. While New Jersey is more typically blue collar, earthy and a bit boorish. New York gave America the famous Manhattan cocktail, which can only be consumed by people over the age of 21, while New Jersey gave America Yoohoo a chocolate drink for kids and adults.

Both states are in the stress belt and driving in their urban areas can be hazardous. People who walk in crosswalks often do so at their own peril, and many of the drivers disobey yield to walkers in the crosswalk law.

Italian culture has deep roots in both states. The American Underworld has become something of cultural icon and institution, and two classic imaginary American Sagas took place in these states. First the Godfather was set in New York, while the Sopranos were set in New Jersey.

You can enjoy theater anywhere in America but for NY, theater is on top of the world with Broadway. NY may be the king of Broadway but NJ is the King of Boardwalk.

You cun go'd'da' beach anywhere in the USA, but the original, oldest, most American seaside amusement town belongs to New Jersey. New Jersey has a shore town for every kind of American. Classic Jersey style is Atlantic City, but if you want something the whole family can enjoy there is Ocean City, NJ where the sale of alcohol is prohibited. Then there is the southern grace in Cape May, NJ which is actually below the Mason-Dixon line. But if you're young and just want to have fun, there is Wild Wood, NJ. Even if you're tough guy with somethin' to prove there is Seaside Heights, NJ. America's firstly famous shore town was Atlantic City. Its fame has resulted in one of America's most popular board game based on none other than a city in the great state of New Jersey: MONOPOLY. Since then every state in the union has followed in the footsteps of this "Jersey Original."


Country music may be for Southern folk and people who live in the boon docks, but if you could make up a "Yankee-Country" music category... we have from NY, the honorable Tony Bennett and from NJ the original sensation old' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.






You can sum up the stereotypes between NJ & NY with two poster boys who reflect their states identity. Born in NY is the sparking knight in shining armor Sir Michael Jordan, and born in NJ is the gritty, flavor-flab, outspoken, outrageous, and colourful Dennis Rodman. They are American men who expressed their freedom in drastically different forms and enchanted the sports world with their superior basketball skills, and charming personalities.




Finally.......when you say the pledge of allegiance you are in a strange way saluting the state flag of New York. Why? New York has the Goddesses Liberty and Justice on it, and believe it or not the man who wrote the pledge of allegiance was from New York, Francis Bellamy. Francis Bellamy wrote it in 1892 for the 400th anniversary of 1492.

GODDESSES
'LIBERTY & JUSTICE...for all'

New York and New Jersey are the A to the Z of America

"Big Apple and Zesty Tomato"

Official Port Authority Flag of NJ & NY

NAVA 42 Post Card

NAVA 42 (2008) took place in Austin, Texas and I proposed my flag symmetry concept to Vexillologists for the first time. I did not speak about it, but had a display and made several post cards for free, with one catch. If you took a post card you were supposed to email me and tell me what you think about my flag symmetry idea. So far only 2 persons have emailed me!

Anyways the card to the left shows the extreme pair of flags: the Confederate Naval Jack, 2nd design, is bonded to the Soviet Naval Jack, 1st design. One flag represents the extreme rational right-side of mind, while the other represents the extreme intuitive left-side of mind.

The ship on the bottom is the USSR's Icebreaker Sibiryakov. The Sibiryakov was the first vessel to sail across the Arctic Ocean in one season from Europe to Asia. She was originally a scientific ship but during WWII she was outfitted with weapons and armour. The fates saw that she tangoed with one of the most powerful and ships of the Nazi Fleet the, Admiral Scheer. Interestingly the Admiral Scheer was referred to as a he instead of a she. It was no contest, the warship Admiral Scheer sunk the Sibiryakov in the Arctic Ocean.


The ship to the right of the Confederate Flag is the CSS Shenandoah. She was the only Confederate ship to sail around the world. She crippled the US Merchant fleet in the North Pacific and was the last ship to lower the Confederate Flag. Interestingly before the Soviet Union adopted the red and white naval jack the Sibiryakov was the last ship to fly the first Soviet design that had crosses.

After the US Civil War, the CSS Shenandoah was poetically sold to an African Islamic Nation, the Sultan of Zanzibar. She was later lost at sea, perhaps in the Indian Ocean since Zanzibar is completely surround by it. Both the Shenandoah and Sibriyakov were rugged and cutting edge technology. And both were built by Scottish hands in Scotland.

China & Vietnam, Red Men in Iron

Flag of Red China
Many Stars
I have paired up China with Vietnam. Their histories have been intimately linked for countless centuries. They had the same cultural influences and were once thriving centers of study for Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. But in the age of discovery and imperialism these two nations were subject to aggressive European adoption. They became independent nations only after war with United States. They were able to free themselves from the yoke of European Colonialism, under the mighty weights of Communism.

Flag of Vietnam
One Star

First, China became violently entangled with the United States during the Korean War. Red China shifted the destiny in Korea, to a draw. It was kinda' like the War of 1812 but with a greater death toll of civilians and combatants.

Several years later another similar situation arose in Vietnam. Like Korea, Vietnam became divided after the fall of a colonial empire, France. Once again the warrior castes of the US and East Asia crossed paths.

Although the United States lost this battle it won the Cold War. Even though China and Vietnam are officially ruled by Communism many executives on Wall Street and Walmart would think otherwise, rather China and Vietnam are 'Capitalists in the Closet.' Or perhaps something in between as "Commu-apitalists."

Both flags have red backgrounds and yellow stars. China has five stars while Vietnam has only one. China and Vietnam are ancient sisters, similar yet very very different of matching colours.

Long before these nations became enchanted with Communism, the colour dynamic between red and yellow was reversed: their flags were mostly yellow (Yang) and red lesser but essential colour was red - (Yin).

Last Flag of Imperial China

Flag of old Imperial Chinese Ching Dynasty in 1890, as standardized as a rectangle.








Last Flag of South Vietnam
Flag of Vietnam first created in 1890 and later became the flag of South Vietnam during its ally period with United States during the Cold War.






As for the Iron Man comment in the title, the Iron Man comic book was inspired in American Consciousness by the Vietnam War and Iron Man 2 officially opens today May 7, 2010 (make mine a Marvel)

Pskov Flag Proposal

This is the only Russian Federal Subject without a flag! As of May 22, 2010. Here is my proposal-prediction.

without stars or with five stars

With the five star version they represent the five large bodies of water that Russia touches: the Pacific, Arctic, Baltic, Black, and Caspian Sea. The red stars pay homage to men and women who sacrificed their lives against the Fascist Powers of the Great Patriotic War. The red stars are outlined with white to represent the five great religious philosophies of Russia: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and the various Animistic Spirit-Shaman paths.

Macedonia & Kyrgyzstan

Flag of Macedonia
There matching colours are red and yellow, and both of their central icons are suns with rays. Macedonia has sun rays extending to the outer edges while Kyrgyzstan's sun rays are short. Although short it has the most sun rays out of any national flag charged with a sun.

Previously during the Cold War Macedonia and Krygyzstan represent the Omega-wolf nation that composed the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. Just as the Russia and Serbia are partners and were the Alpha-wolf ethnic of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Kyrgyzstan were at the other end of political power in their Communist forms.

Flag of Kyrgyzstan

Since the shedding of their Communist yoke from Russia and Serbia ethnic turmoil has reared its ugly head in these nations.

Digital Short: Flags of the World

Look in the my blog files of March 2010 to see the amazing analysis that the flags of this Digital Short on SNL were created in pairs!!! All by accident? Take a look, think, and comment!



Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Mazda Plant Your Flag

A woman holding
the Mazda flag

Mazda recently ran a campaign with flags! Dubbed the 'plant your flag' motto, they made artistic and elegant use of their corporate flag.

Here a man plants his flag next
to the car of his choice
Mazda's name is based on the founder Mr. Matsuda, which literally translates as Mr. Pinefield. Mr. Pinefield was born in Hiroshima and founded the motorcar company in Hiroshima, so when you purchase a Mazda your cash is flowing to one of the most anti-nuclear weapons communities of the world.


This was my favorite flag, the 'sky-dive' flag. Someday the military or an olympic opening ceremony will have sky divers fly down in pairs illustrating my FLAG SYMMETRY phenomena. Which will is be, a masculine military might display or a feminine we are the world moment?

















I think the Mazda (Hiroshima) people would prefer the feminine we are the world display!

It's very likely that the Mazda flag will change as the logo has changed over the years.

Hoegaarden the Beer of the Vexillology

Vexillology takes its name from the earliest type of structure that is essentially a stick with some kind of emblem on it, be it a feather, rod of power or shepherd's staff. From these poles of significance came with it a power over others. It evolved into political power. And eventually these decorated poles of enchantment became flags. They have come to represent political groups and factions of our modern society.




Hoegaarden beer is made in Belgium. On it's label there are two heraldic shields. On the superior shield a hand is holding a curvy cane, on the inferior shield a hand is holding a what looks like a box frame. They are not flags, rather they are vexilloids (from Vexillology).


As for the taste of Hoegaarden, it is a flavorful rich beer but unlike a dark bitter lager. It has a white foamy look. It is not so complex to dominate the pallet, but it definitely has a unique signature. It would work well with beer battered onion rings, oven cooked pizza, or any kind of cooked sandwich, say hot corned beef on rye.



The preferred beer of 9 in 10 Vexillologists


















learn more about Hoegaarden Beer at www.hoegaarden.com

United Nations with Communism, makes Freedom?

At the NAVA 43 (North American Vexillological Association) at Charleston, South Carolina there was an interesting item for auction: a poster made by the US government during World War II. In the background is the Statue of Liberty and on the foreground are flags of various nations allied against Nazi Germany.

I was fascinated to see Lady Liberty standing side by side with the flag of the Soviet Union (top row third from the left) and also the flag of South Africa (bottom left).



This poster advocating a freedom was not issued by the 'liberal press' rather but by the US Government in the 1940s




When the poster was made the United Nations in the form of the UN did not exist yet!

Vexillology is a word!

Here is a photo of the Google spell checker
that lists Vexillologyas a non word!
Too many times I have written on my computer on to see that Vexillology gets highlighted with red underscore. This needs to change. Hey dictionary people, it is a word!

Vexillology is not a word
according to Yahoo

It is the year 2010 and neither does Yahoo recognize Vexillology as a word yet. Vexillology was coined back in 1958!

Easter Flags

Easter Flags belong to a special group of flags that do not represent a nation, corporation, or political agency. Rather they are spiritual-communicative signal flags, kinda' like the naval letter flags. But instead of representing letters they represent the spirit.

Just as people fly flags of their ethnic heritage. These spirit holiday flags represent the spiritual identity of the persons flying it.

These flags are flown on holidays, and mostly by women, to let others know that this household is celebrating a particular holiday. Other common holiday-spirit flags are flags for Halloween and St. Patrick's Day. But I have yet to see a Passover Flag or Ramadan Flag. But soon enough there time will come.

Below is an Easter Flag, and to the right is a Passover flag made with photo shop.


Easter Flag in USA

Passover Flag made in USA
note the delicious deviled eggs!

Flag Videos!

You can watch videos about my flag symmetry phenomena on Youtube. I have a video about the flags of Canada, Australia, and Southern USA. Go the the website
http://www.youtube.com/user/McMaddish

This video was made in 2010. It illustrates the flag symmetry phenomena across the world and puts special emphasis on the USA, Russia, and Japan. The sound was taken and edited from the first movie trailer of the Davinci Code (2006) and the images were edited and made by me (2010).




Any Questions?

The Reds vs the Blues - Bloods & Crips

Red Bandanna is the
Colour of the Bloods
Duality is a key theme in most of my posts. Interestingly two of the most popular gangs in American consciousness are the Crips and Bloods. Their violent responsiveness to their gang colours, red and blue, are similar to behaviors of armies at war with each other. If a person with the wrong colours happens to go on the wrong turf or spot of member flashing their colours at the wrong time conflict can arise. Likewise when nations are at war with each other a flash of the enemies national colours can cause a violent outbreak.

In either case of shedding innocent blood: 'too bad...that's just a part of war' and if a non gang member gets shot by a stray bullet 'that's just the law of the concrete jungle.'

Nations are organized gangs working within the law under the colours of a flag, however street gangs work outside the law under certain colorz in the underworld.

Blue Bandanna is the
gang colour of the CRIPS

The defense of a nation and street gang also have different but similar method of rule by rank, file, and needs of proving oneself by action and merit.

Corporations work within the confines of the law and provide legal services for public, street gangs provide illegal services for the public beyond the confines of the law. Both illegal and legal systems operate on the fundamental economic law of supply and demand. Corporations are keenly aware of maximizing marginal utility while street gangs know how to do this free ball style.


What would happen if you were able to combine a Blood with Crip?

Purple CRUD (Crip+Blood) or
Violet BRICKS (Blood + Crip) or
Tripping BLIPS (Blood + Crip)

You can get three varieties of underworld solider-thug when you mix a Blood with a Crip:

MELLOW CRUD or VIOLENT BRICK or TRIPPING BLIPS

Interesting parallel between Crips and Bloods with their colours is also reflected in Japanese folklore. There are two types of legendary monsters are thought to be a root of mischievous and heinous acts the Red Demon Oni and Blue Demon Oni.

Image of Japanese Blue Oni and Red Oni
In Japanese mythology the red devil 'Oni' and blue devil 'Oni' of Japan exist in the spiritual underworld. They proverbially operate outside the law of goodness. They are responsible for harmful, hateful, and horrible acts. Although they torture mankind with their passion for suffering and cruelty. 'Bloodz Oni' and 'Crips Oni' do not get along.

Blue Cripz Oni Mask

Theoretical Purple Oni

Red Bloodz Oni Mask

Millennial Split of Christian Europe: 1054

Flag of the Vatican
(Western Roman Church)

Flag of Eastern Orthodox Church
(Eastern Roman Church)

Since 2005, Pope Benedictine XVI
has lived in a city-nation state within Italy:The Vatican


The senior spiritual leader of the Western Roman Church is called the Pope, while the senior spiritual leader of the Eastern Roman Church is called the Ecumenical Patriarch. Both their banners have yellow, crowns, and crosses.


The Western Catholic flag has a cross keys charge, while the Eastern Catholic flag has a Siamese Eagle holding a sword and the Royal Christian Orb.

Since 2005, Ecumenical Patriarch,
Bartholomew I, has lived in Mt. Athos
in Greece, which is off limits to women

In 1054 the ancient Church of Europe split in two antagonistic churches, this was also the year a super nova was detected in the heavens. 500 years later the Western Roman Church fought perilously from within via the Catholic and Protestant conflicts, while the Eastern Roman Church would fight from beyond via the Orthodoxy and Islam conflict. The Eastern Orthodox Church lost Constantinople* to Islam, while the Western Roman Church lost nearly all of Northern Europe to Protestants.

*(the most sacred city of Christian Orthodoxy where the first Emperor of Rome declared Christianity the state religion, Constantinople is now called Istanbul)

Crown of Vatican Flag

Crown of 'Constantinople' Flag

Scuba Flag

Diver Down Under Flag used
in the USA and nearby

When S.C.U.B.A. divers go under water they are supposed to deploy a flag as a signal to nearby boats that divers are in the water.

You think there would be no controversy on an agreed symbol to represent that a 'diver is down under,' there is. When you scuba dive in the USA and nearby waters they use the red flag with a white diagonal stripe. But the rest of the world uses the nautical alpha flag. Why can't they agree on just one symbol? Why is there a need for two systems, why won't one side just give up? Why not a third flag of diver down?

'ALPHA' flag indicating a
diver is down under

I prefer the metric system over old Imperial Empire system that the USA is stuck on, besides it'd goof up football fields. Meters is an elegant and simply superior system. I'm middle of the line with Celsius versus Fahrenheit, I can switch between both systems but Fahrenheit has that nice 0 to 100 degree distance that give us a deeper sense in temperature.

As you can see I'm totally into colour versus color. Many Canadians, Aussies, Brits, and Kiwi's often seethe when us Yanks spell it humor versus humour. It's like the perpetual pop versus soda debate, in the USA.

But when it comes to the diver down flag, the USA has it right. Red is bright and more easily seen than a blue-white flag on a blue and white sky and blue and white ocean!

A Rainbow in the Indian Ocean: Seychelles & Mauritius

Flag of Seychelles

Mauritius and Seychelles have flag of similar colours but of slightly different patterns.



They are both island nations of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius is probably more famous for its now extinct animal than the nation itself: the Dodo. Like wise Mauritius saw a large swath of animals go the way of the Dodo after the arrival of mankind like its native sea turtles.

Flag of Mauritius
Like a shimmering rainbow pointing to the mystical pot of gold, these nations shimmer on the ancient Ocean of India.

Green Flags Ahoy! Saudi Arabia & Guess Who

Flag of Saudi Arabia
with Islamic Prayer on it the Shahada

Libya and Saudi Arabia are nations enchanted with the emerald colour. Perhaps living in a desert made them treasure the colour green, for it meant life was near and perhaps an oasis.

Islam claims green for it's very own.

Libya and Saudi Arabia are nations with a vast ocean of sand. These nearly endless seas of sand and earth rest on the entrance door steps of Europe to Africa and Asia.

They are close cousins of sorts but polarized to different oceans. Libya is on the African Coast of the Mediterranean World rooted to the Atlantic, while Saudi Arabia is on the Asiatic Red and Persian Sea coasts, rooted to the Indian Ocean.

They are sibling nations that are stringently Islamic & Arabic. They are so close to the western world yet so far away.

Flag of Libya
Green is the colour of Islam

Tragically, both nations gave rise to scorpion like militants who have sent tremors of pain and fear down the American Spinal chord. For the desert is a harsh teacher, yet if you learn and respect her ways she will love you like none other.

What are the chances that Destiny would bless these nations with such vast quantities of petroleum? After eons and countless generations, our generation was the chosen to live in the age of the horseless chariot. A precious generation we are, so lucky and blessed. Yet this blessing has come with a curse. But within this curse lies our greatest hope.

For the magic potion that feeds these horseless chariots was fatefully given in great abundance to Libya and Saudi Arabia.

People of the Desert were always aware and intelligent of the various needs of life, people, circumstance, religion, and politics. As the modern world comes to terms with a limited amount of resources, the people of the Desert were destined to rise in the lime light of our awareness, for they are no stranger to life under a strict, straight and narrow path. Rather they are masters of it.