Edward Scissor Hands - US Flag in the School

US Flag in Edward Scissor Hands

The US Flag makes a brief cameo in Edward Scissor Hands 1990. This film is a dreamlike confessional allegory by Timothy Burton. The story centers on a man with a heart made from a cookie whose temporary scissor hands became permanent by accident.

He becomes famous in his small town and his gifts are used at the pleasure of the 'bland' community. But tragedy strikes and the origin of snow for this community is explained.

Edwards is a reverse Cinderella trapped in a castle and lives melancholy ever after with his gift.

With hands of sadness glazed with love,
snow falls gently from a castle way above.

Breakfast of Champions Flags by Kurt Vonnegut

Kurt Vonnegut was a luminary novelist in the 1960s from Indiana. He was witness to the controversial bombing in Dresden Germany during WWII. Vonnegut was a POW kept in slaughter house 5. In Breakfast of Champions he adds his own illustrations which include a variety of flags.

The Kilgore Trout Flag is similar to the British Ensign.  But instead of one dominant central square cross, as asterisk with a fimbration is the central icon, making eight triangles upon a square canton.  On the field is a rectangle with a strange inkblot. 

The Goodbye Blue Monday flag is simply a swallowtail streamer with its the wording written upon it.

Note, the background colours of red and blue have been added by myself, but the original drawing is of Kurt Vonnegut's hand.

Owl City - Fireflies, song: Vexilloid of Merlin in the Crystal Globe

Merlin with white cane vexilloid

There is one vexilloid that makes an appearance in Owl City's Fireflies song. It is the white globe staff of Merlin in a crystal. It is a white crystal and slightly bent up top.

Afghanistan and Darfur - Fraternal Twins from Asia to Africa

Afghanistan Flag 21 Century Colours

Red-Green and Black-White Flag

Ever since the fall of the British Empire in the 1950s, two regions of Asia and Africa have become perpetual war zones. Sudan has recently - 2011 - saw succession of its southern region in to the new nation of South Sudan. However the south-western region - Darfur - is still in conflict. The primary colours of the Darfur rebels follows in rhythm with the colours of Afghanistan.

Likewise in the heart of Asia, Afghanistan has been host to the uncomfortable and obnoxious guest of 'CIVIL WAR.'

Rebel Flag of Darfur, South Western Sudan
White-Black and Green-Red Flag

Both Darfur and Afghanistan have been in a state of chaos and civil war for all of the 21st century. The combatants are of a similar religion - Islam. Yet can not agree on the rule of law and lines of division.

We are the world, and these two regions of Earth have been thrust into the limelight of our intelligence agencies. In the afterglow of the Cold War they continued to simmer and boil, eventually catching the attention of the west and the wealthiest of nations. It illustrates the ancient proverb that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Fraternal Colours - Afghanistan and Darfur

US Navy Commission Pennant and the Flag of North Carolina

The US Navy Commission Pennant is an American flag with a distinguished look for military use only. It consists of seven white stars near the hoist and a tail of red and white, with red on top. Its design resembles the State Flag of North Carolina the most. Since both flags have the same basic pattern in order.

There is one coincidence with the number of stars - seven. The first version of the Confederacy's Naval Jack consisted of seven stars on blue, since there were originally seven states in the Confederacy before the shelling of Ft. Sumter in 1861.

7 Stars on first design of CSA Jack
7 Stars on US Navy Commission Pennant

(1) South Carolina
(2) Mississippi
(3) Florida
(4) Alabama
(5) Georgia
(6) Louisiana
(7) Texas

Texas comes in with a close second. Its basic design is arguably a nice match for the US Navy Commission pennant but the it'd be an upside down comparison. North Carolina has the red bar up top as does the US Navy.

Besides North Carolina is the original and King of the Hill for the Original 13 colonies. There is no mountain higher than King Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina in all of the lands east of the Mississippi. The great synchronicity is that this flag is flown from the highest part of the ship mirrors the flag design of the tallest state in the original 13 colonies - North Carolina.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, part 6 - the Third Reich Vexillum

Indiana Jones infiltrating the Nazis

Indie is facing us, the Nazis are facing away

The term vexillology originates from a specific type of flag that was flown during the Ancient Roman Empire - the Vexillum. A Vexillum is a specific kind of flag that is carried from a cross bar, to keep the face of the flag unfurled. Modern rectangular flags are dependent on the wind to keep the face of the flag open. When there is no wind a modern flag can be easily mistaken or misidentified.

Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981 used proper vexillums to represent the antagonists. Nazi vexillums are shown when they shuttle the Lost Ark of the Hebrew Covenant to a mountain altar.The Ark of the Covenant is the key point of the holy of holiest in Hebrew Custom. It was a source of power, protection, and wrath of the divine. In its most modern and most powerful portrayal it, the Ark of the Covenant is ironically shuttled to a remote Greek Isle by a team of Nazi Archeological Researchers.

The Ark of the Covenant is under the Purple Linen

They are successful in opening the Ark and seeing its inner spiritual splendor, but there are harsh consequences for their actions. But before they are privileged to witness the supernatural phenomena reveals itself to them, all of the electronic recording devices are magically disabled. In the picture below the modern technological electronic equipment is rendered useless by some kind of supernatural means.

Notice Third Reich Flags on cross banners

the recording devices are extinguished by the Ark, before revealing its glory

Flag of Asbestos, Quebec

Aasif Mandvi next to Asbestos Flag
Asbestos, Quebec

Did you know that Asbestos has a flag? Asbestos, Quebec that is. It used to have the world's largest Asbestos mine, but due to the association with cancer it has led to decline in economic activity.



The flag of Asbestos employs the colours red, blue, grey, white and black. The name is written in white with a white underline and white over-line.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, part 5 - the Nazi Flag

Indiana Jones being rescued by a Nazi Flag?

Raiders of the Lost 1981 was an epic movie that enshrined some of the best elements of American Cinema. The hero of the story is an Archaeologist who has the amazing ability to over come the odds with wit and grit - Dr. Indiana Jones played by Harrison Ford.

The time frame of Raiders of the Lost Ark is set in the late 1930s during rise of the Third Reich. In this scene Indiana Jones is dressed as an Arab in order to infiltrate an Egyptian map room. His partner - Sallah - was supposed to use a regular rope to rescue him back out, but it was confiscated. Since Sallah didn't have access to a proper rope, Sallah rescues Indiana Jones with a makeshift rope made partly from a Nazi Flag.

Indiana Jones dressed in a Nazi Uniform

In this scene Indiana Jones has taken on the dress of a German Military Officer in order to infiltrate the secret military base. His objectives are to recover the Lost Ark and rescue his true love - Marion.

The Nazi Flag is considered an inflammatory symbol and banned by various communities. However in the context of Raiders of the Lost Ark, it became a not so offensive yet essential movie set prop.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, part 4 - Flag of Kriegsmarine

Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981
Flag of the Kriegsmarine

In Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981 Harrison Ford plays as the dashing and heroic archaeologist in pursuit of the biblical treasures. He travels the world from Asia to Arabia on his quest.

Upon his grand discovery of the Lost Ark, he takes a life and death chance to get it back. He secretly boards a German Sub and puts his faith in the unknown. The pic above shows Indy boarding the German Sub. Luckily for Indy, the sub does not submerge before arriving at its secret location in the Greek Isles. In the far distance his allied shipmates are cheering him to save Marion and to protect the Lost Ark.

Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981

Kriegsmarine Nazi Flag as it appeared from the obverse

The WWII Kriegsmarine flag appears from the obverse side in this movie. The flag of the German Navy during WWII featured a black and white Scandinavian cross centered on a swastika on a red field.

Hollywood is one of the few places where you can get people to pay you money to wave a Nazi Flag in front of your face - but remember context is key. In 1981 G. Lucas and S. Spielberg were successful in waving the Nazi flag and in the same work of art at great profit, burn the American Flag.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, part 3 - the Staff of Ra and the Hebew High Preist

Indiana Jones with a vexilloid - the Staff of Ra

Vexillology is mostly the study of flags, but it also encompasses objects that act in a similar manner to flags - especially staffs, maces, or sacred poles. In Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981, the Staff of Ra is not a flag but is a vexilloid. The headpiece features an ornamental design with a red crystal. The headpiece or finial was given to Indy from his true love sweet heart, Marion.

When the Staff of Ra is put in the proper place at the right time in an ancient Egyptian map room, it reflects the light of the sun to reveal the hidden location of the Lost Ark.

Notice Ancient Egyptian Vexilloids on the Wall
the crook and other staff - denoting rank and power

In this scene Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is disguised as an Egyptian worker in native Islamic dress in order to get access to the map room. Indy has additional information that the Nazi's are unaware of, this allows him to find the Lost Ark before the Nazis.

The 'Hebrew' Ram Staff
Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981

Later in the movie they open the ark on a secret inland in the Mediterranean Sea. Before opening the Lost Ark they decided to follow proper Old Testament ritual in order to see its contents. The man on the left Rene Belloq (Paul Freeman) is dressed as the Hebrew High Priest. Rene is holding a vexilloid. Its finial is a multi-faced golden ram head. The High Priest also has the breastplate of the 12 tribes of Israel with its assigned crystal.

Raiders of the Lost Ark flags - part 2, The Egyptian Kingdom Flag

Egyptian Kingdom Flag

1922-1953

In Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981 Steven Spielberg and George Lucas did their vexillological homework and had the proper Egyptian flag flying in the background. The Green Kingdom Flag of Egypt consisted of a green field with a crescent moon and three five pointed stars in between the horns. Although it may seem like a dominantly Islamic flag - the three stars represented the three major branches of Abraham - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Gun versus Sword, its no match

The flag is barely visible during the famous gunslinger vs swordsman fight. Although it gives the impression that firearms technology was new to the Middle East - they had been using gun powder since the 1400s in concert with Europe.

Best Image of Egyptian Kingdom Flag

Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981

The best image of the Green Egyptian flag takes place after the Indy amazingly captures the Lost Ark and is able to hide it at the town bazaar where he had previously fought the swordsman.

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Raiders of the Lost Ark flags, part 1 - Burning the American Flag

Notice Burning American Flag
behind the Nepalese Thug

Usually, burning the American Flag is an inflammatory action that is offensive to most Americans.

Burning the flag in protest, art, or for the sake of expression is especially controversial. But doing it for profit is highly inappropriate. However in 1981, audiences across America applauded makers of Raiders of the Lost Ark and sent one third of a billion dollars to Hollywood to watch or at least subliminally watch the American Flag burn under the direction of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Close up of burning US Flag - Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981

The burning of the American flag happens during the fight scene in Nepal.  A 48 starred US flag burns in Marion's Bar. During the melee the fire gets out of control and consumes the establishment and everything in it - including the American Flag.

Burning the American Flag was only a minor background component for the film. It was certainly not the intention of the directors to prove they could tastefully burn the flag without controversy. Nor was in anyway a part of the plot.  However it was an unsanctioned artful burning of the American Flag, that did not displease audiences or anyone who noticed. Audiences didn't react to negatively since it only appeared for a moment, also within the context of the story it really didn't matter.

US Flag in upper left corner before the fight and fire
Marion is center front

British Indian Ocean Territory Flag and the Mosquito Coast Flag - Fraternal Twins

Flag of British Indian Ocean Territory
also B.I.O.T.

The flag of British Indian Ocean Territory seems to be in a league of its own. This crumb of 'India' is last the remnant of the forlorn British Indian and African Empire. It is a tiny group of Islands located in the virtual middle between Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Its more popular name is Diego Garcia. And it is a strategic post for the US Military with the War on Terror.

The flag is a rare British Ensign design that does not conform to the typical red, blue, or white field. Rather the field consists of wavy stripes - three long blue and three short blue. Bordered by seven white wavy stripes - two long, two short, one long - missing half its bottom, one long that that is 3/4ths complete and finally one short 1/2 that is missing its top. In total there are thirteen blue and white wavy stripes that are reflective of the Indian Ocean. The charge on the field consists of a British Royal Crown and a eight branched palm tree.

Flag of the forlorn Mosquito Coast
1834-1894

Its unique design would indicate it probably wouldn't have a fraternal partner, but alas it does. Its partner is outside of the official 'now' but nonetheless is congruent with the flag of the Mosquito Coast.

The design of the Mosquito Coast has nine stripes - five blue and four white. There is no charge on the field of stripes.

The flag of the no longer existent Mosquito Coast is the fraternal twin to British Indian Ocean Territory. The Mosquito Coast existed partly as constitutional monarchy for 60 years from 1834 unto 1894. It was located on the eastern shore of Nicaragua and a wee bit of Honduras. In a way the Mosquito Coast belongs in the same category of the Confederacy as English Speaking 'American' Nations that are no more. Although not as big as the C.S.A. the Mosquito Coast existed for nearly 12 times longer.

The Mosquito Coast and BIOT semi-nations that have their own 'mexican' or 'mextizo' or 'metis' kind of people. From the Mosquito Coast there is the Miskito Ethnic who are mostly a mix of African and Native American Indian. On the other side of the world from BIOT we have the Chagossians who are a mix of African and India peoples.

Outside of time from the Atlantic to the Pacific
these blue and white stripes merge under a Queen and King














US Military Welcome Video about BIOT or Diego Garcia


Lonely Planet Video about the 'modern' Mosquito Coast

The last part of the United States to celebrate New Years - Howland and Baker Island

The last part of the United States - and the world for that matter - to celebrate the new year are Howland and Baker Islands. They are 12 hours behind Greenwich Time in London. Amazingly they are also 26 hours behind Tokelau! This means that in Tokelau and Eastern Kirabati when it was January 2, 2012 at 1:11am it was still December 31, 2011 at 11:11pm!

What this means is that America gets last dibs on the new year.

Also the last moon of 2011 will keep shining until January 24, 2012! So that means we have three more virtual weeknights of 2011 - keep it a secret!

Proposed Flags for Howland and Baker Island
the tail time gunners of America and the world
both islands are in the LAST time zone of the earth minus 12 GMT

Vexillological Warp Up 2011

2011 was relatively action packed year of changes. There were two official major vexillological shifts. A national flag change occurred in Africa, as well as the recognition of new nation with new colours. Also one state in the USA under went a way cool retro-maker over.

New Old flag of Libya

Due to the 'Arab Spring' Libya's dramatic change in political leadership saw the ouster of Gadaffi's Green flag and a reversion to old flag of Libya. This subsequently aligned the with the new flag of Malawi.





A new nation - South Sudan

A new nation was welcomed to the global community - South Sudan. It is likely in the future that this nation will change names as it matures.

I gotta' feeling that parts of Nigeria may follow in South Sudan's footsteps within three years. If ya' didn't know, Nigeria has race-tribal and religious-Islamic vs Christian issues and a whole lot of oil.

Reversion to the original design

On March 9, 2011 the flag of Utah was reverted to the original more harmonious design that had a proper placement of dates. The shield was coloured white, the bee hive was reshaped, and the flowers were cut differently.

Aside from that there were no flag controversies in the USA and only a minor outburst of Confederate Flag issues. Although the Civil War was celebrating its 150th - nothing stinky could hit the fan.

It must be the hard economic times. When the economy gets back on its feet, people will have the luxury to enjoy a hearty non economic emotional controversy about flag issues.

Wake Island - the first part of the USA to awaken!

Official Flag of Wake Island
Where the day begins in the USA

Wake Island is the first part of the United States to start each new day, and bring in the New Year! 2012 had come and already began for this small slice of 'America' while much of the nation was not yet...awake.

American Wakers celebrate the New Year at the same time as their southern Kiwi cousins down under in New Zealand. Wake Island is due north of Resolution Island, New Zealand. But by latitude Wake Island's climate is on par with Northern Vietnam or Veracruz, Mexico.

Compare to Wake Island
Texas and North Carolina are fraternal twins

The flag of Wake Island takes after Texas or rather North Carolina. Unlike these two 'Southern Brothers' Wake Island is parted like a sideways 'Y' rather than sideways 'T.' The red, white and blue pattern mirror's that of Texas. However the blue hoist portion is more like North Carolina since it has yellow stars and scribbles like North Carolina's yella' ribbons and yeller' state initials.

Wake Island is a 99er so to speak since it was annexed in 1899. During WWII the Japanese attacked it the same day as Pearl Harbor and captured it three weeks later. The island was retaken by American forces on September 4, 1945.

Coincidentally the name of the island reflects its point as America's Land of the Rising Sun - since America awakens to each new day or new year at Wake Island.

Happy New Year 2012!


PS. JK.
This is why we say "WAKE UP" instead of "MAINE UP"

Woo Hoo! 10,000 Hits Per Month!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

To all my friends and family who helped, in small steps is where the miracles happen!

The Colors or Livery of Rydell High - from Grease 1978

Animated Rydell School Pennant in Rizzo's Room

The fictional school in Grease is Rydell High. It is the primary setting for one of the classic and epic musicals about the 1950s - Grease. During the movie the colors or rather livery of the school are displayed - red and white.

Grease was originally produced as a play in 1971, and it is one of the few Broadway productions to successfully cross over in Hollywood in 1978.

The real Rydell High School Pennant
in Rizzo's Room minus Rizzo

During a Pink Ladies slumber party at Rizzo's, the school pennant from Rydell High can be seen hanging on the wall behind a paint by number horse and picture of Elvis. It can be seen clearly during the Look at Me, I'm Sandradee song.

The Rydell Rangers Pep Rally - Grease 1978

At a pep rally for the Rydell Rangers the school coach leads the cheerleaders and fans. The American flag with 48 stars can be seen in the background and the stage columns are wrapped in red bunting on a white background to emphasize the school colors.

Principal Mrs. McGee raising
school flag with assistant Blanche

In the Hollywood sequel of Grease 2 - the tacky 80s take on the not so electric boogaloo. This train wreck takes place two years later in 1961, the school flag of Rydell Flag is shown in the beginning. The director couldn't help but sneak so totally not so tubular in 80s hair, music and style. Although marketing forces like to wrap decades and generations into neat little packages like the 50s, 80s, 00s, Generation X, Y, & Z. These are broad and often untrue generalizations, since there parts of the the 1960s that were no different from the 1950s. Likewise each person is their own 'decade' of whatever.

Original Trailer

The Vexillology of Thunderpants

Notice School Emblem

In 2002 a film about a boy with a certain kind of gift was released upon the public Thunderpants.

Because of his propensity to propel pungent puffs of putrid pockets of air from his arse, he has difficulty making friends. However one kid in school who was born without a sense of smell - Alan A. Allen (played by Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter franchise) is able to befriend Patrick.

Human powered flight via farting?

Here the boys enter a contest to create a flying machine with human power. Patrick Thunderpants is able to channel his flatulence into a hover craft that gives him the ability to lift themselves off the ground.

In the background are green flag pennant streamers and a red flag waving near the finish line. Although very improbable, using digestive gases as power source is possible.


Thunder Pants 1
designed to contain toxic emissions

Patrick 'Thunderpants' is able to enjoy some of his childhood when his buddy designs a special pair of pants - Thunderpants 1. This mechanical fancy pants clothing contains and channels the noxious fumes from Pat's derriere into a green tool box, which can later be safely eliminated in a Ghost Buster's like containment apparatus.

Flags Nigeria and Rhodesia - a different shade of green

Flag of Nigeria

At the moment the flag of Nigeria is bonded outside of time to the former nation of Rhodesia. Nations come and go, subsequently flags change - sometimes a little and sometimes a lot.

The flag of Nigeria was in active political alignment with Rhodesia during its relatively short existence from 1965 until 1979. In 1979 Rhodesia under went a name change to Zimbabwe Rhodesia a little later to simply Zimbabwe. But its declaration of independence was not authorized by the UK and was often called in dispute as 'Southern Rhodesia' by the UK and its allies.

Also note there were several other colonies and states that also had Rhodesia in their name - Northern Rhodesia, North-Western Rhodesia, North-Eastern Rhodesia, and the Federation of Rhodesia with Nyasaland.

The flag of 'Rebel Southern Rhodesia' is and or was in harmonious alignment with Nigeria, depending on your point of view. Suffice it to say Rhodesia in the general way was a super African state that was too big for itself with harsh cultural divides - much like Nigeria.

Flag of Southern Rebel Rhodesia

It is only a matter of time for Nigeria to follow its forlorn fraternal twin Rhodesia by ceasing to exist or breaking up into smaller parts. There was already the Nigerian Civil War of from 1967-1970 for the forlorn nation of Biafra.

Like Sudan the religious divide between the Nigerian Islamic North and Christian-Animist South is seething with violence, mixed in with precious petroleum.

exiled colours to be, or not to be?

The vexillology of Tron Legacy

US Flag in front of Kevin Flynn's home

Tron Legacy 2010 was the continuation of Tron 1982. In this movie the cyber-computer world is a virtual universe that like the 'real world' has its heroes and villains who want to control the system. Tron was originally a program designed to keep the system free.

Tron Guard Programs with Vexilloids

The American flag makes a brief appearance in front of Kevin Flynn's place. Once inside the virtual computer universe - several objects are shown that qualify in some regard as a vexilloid. The guards under control of the system have long poles with white tips at the end that are also zapping program prods.


Bar keep light cane vexilloid

Finally the bar keeper at the club has a personal light cane. Seen here, he plays it like an air guitar when a fight breaks out.

Since the rise of the Internet there are voices from the powerful elite and special interests that want to control the Internet, subsequently a rebooted version of Tron in 2010 was harmoniously appropriate. Will the Internet remain a user free paradise or will people let a minority of powerful voices control the environment? Only time will tell.