12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Gad and Zebulun, part 3

Over the ages the Tribes of Israel became attached to certain emblems. Some have two distinct symbols while others have a few. In art and poetry these emblems are powerful icons especially when displayed on a flag. Subsequently they illustrate my fraternal flag idea. Basically flags often, if not always, exhibit a certain kind of harmony. The Twelve Tribes of Israel have taken flight on the flag pole and like the flags of the 50 US states, exhibit a certain kind of "flag symmetry."

Part III - Gad and Zebulun

Gad's icon is usually a tent or group of three tents. The number doesn't matter so much, lest you understand that the totem for Gad is a group of outlaw folk commonly called raiders, bandits, thieves, or robbers. The totem for Zebulun on the other hand is almost always represented by a single ship. The origins of these icons trace back to the account in Genesis when Jacob blesses the Twelve Tribes of Israel on his death bed.

Most of the tribes derive their icons from this account, subsequently the emblems of the Twelve Tribes of Israel have served as a source of inspiration for artists for countless generations.

But the odd common element for Simeon and Gad is, both are external to the blessing. Most of the tribal emblems arise when Jacob uses a direct metaphor or simile. For example it is written that - Judah is like a lion, Benjamin is like a wolf, Dan will be a snake, Issachar is no better than a donkey.


However the emblems for Zebulun and Gad are predictions of men in an occupation. They also apply more aptly to foreigners rather than Israelis. Zebulun is predicted to become a haven for ships? What kind of ships? Ships that bring trade and economy - which includes foreign ships. Gad's emblem refers to a troop of raiders that rob him, subsequently Gad - like Batman - must pursue them, lending us the joke of Gadman the desert avenger. But seriously folks,the raiders could be future Israelis that go bad or robbers of foreign nations.

Also, the emblems of Gad and Zebulun hint at the perpetual dichotomy between the navy and army. Just as there is a captain of the ship and officers, a desert caravan - bandit or merchant - must have a chief with lieutenants. The life of a sailor or roving band of 'land pirates' requires an organized group effort composed of roughnecks as well as a shrewd class of keenly intelligent individuals. Setting camp, maintaining order and navigating a sea or dessert are the important duties for sailors or and an army of raiders.

link to part 1 (who is man's best friend?)
link to part 4 (fruit salad anyone?)

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photo credits
Ship: User:WIBEAN (维基百科，自由的百科全书), upload in commons.wikimedia of 22-02-2006
Troops in Tent: J. David Rogers http://web.mst.edu/~rogersda/military_service/football%20at%20Masirah.jpg

12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Issacar and Naphtali, part 2

There is a natural balance in the cosmos - day/night, up/down, positive/negative, etc. Almost any concept or natural phenomena can be cut into two complementary parts. Ancient Eastern mystics from China called this phenomena as the imprint of Yin and Yang. Likewise the Twelve Tribes of Israel can be cut into compliments via their emblems.

Part II - The Tribe of Issac and Naphtali

The popular emblems of Naphtali and Issacar make a fine pair - a donkey and a deer. Note that nearly every tribal totem has two forms, but the totems for Naphtali and Issacar are farily consistent.* Both tribes feature four legged, hoofed herbivores of similar body types. You can think of a donkey as being a deer without antlers, or rather a deer is donkey with antlers.

A sharp dichotomy presented by these emblems is the separation between wild and domesticated. It is also a reflection of our own domestic and wild natures.

Some people easily fit into the 'square' domestic establishment. Some individuals have a knack to do the work of a banker, bureaucrat, and navigate the paper-cubical forest of business with ease and efficiency. Examples of the domestic heavy book and brain load bearer with the "Issacar Trait" are Alan Greenspan and Henry Kissinger.



On the other hand, there are people who have difficultly fitting into the regular 'square' rules of society. Rather their instinct is to let loose and run free in the forest of feelings, music, and art. They dance, mock and run counter to the dominant business-professional way of life. They don't want to carry the heavy burdens of society, not necessarily because they don't want but rather they don't know how or are incapable. Excellent examples include Howard Stern and Bob Dylan. These men exhibit the free bird wild essence of the "Naphtali Trait."

But like Yin and Yang, it is important to not preclude one as being absolutely wild or domestic. Meaning that believe it or not, Greenspan and Kissinger have wild nutty sides, just as Stern and Dylan have conformist square pro-establishment elements.

link to part 1 (it's raining like cat and dogs)
link to part 3 (army vs navy, sort of)
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*The vast majority of emblems of Issachar show a donkey carrying a large burden of supplies. But in 1955 the modern state of Israel issued a stamp series with the Tribe of Issac with the totem of the sun with stars. Which one is correct? It all depends on your point of view, but in a sense they are both are correct. However the association of Issacar with donkey stems from Genesis, star and sun does not.

Photo Credits
Donkey: March 20, 2010 by Marie-France Durieux : http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfdudu/4457254652/
Antelope-Deer: by Sean Gibbon at here

12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Judah and Benjamin, part 1

The Petco Logo with domestic versions of
the Feline and Canine Tribal emblems of Israel

In the modern world, the Twelve Tribes of Israel are attached to certain emblems. Nearly every tribe has more than one emblem, and the origins are somewhat of a mystery. Nonetheless, a harmonious duality is apparent. The foremost example being between the Tribe of Judah and the Tribe of Benjamin.

Of the twelve tribes, Judah's Lion and Benjamin's Wolf are the most consistent. They are fraternal emblems in the universal sense of the canine and feline, or rather as the rivalry between cats and dogs.

The tribe of Judah
A Fearless and Powerful Roar of the Lion

Dog is considered man's best friend, but when it comes to respect and power man could be considered the king of the cats wannabe best friend. Basically man is a fanboy to the King of the Kitties. But the lion in its natural wild state seems to see man as a nuisance or dinner. Nonetheless the size, strength and power of the lion has perpetually enchanted man. Nations all over the world use the King of Kitties in their national seals and flags. Dog may be man's best friend but man would rather be the best friend to the King of Kitties - aka the lion.

Can dogs be found on flags or heraldic emblems? Or even wolves the most ferocious of canines for the matter? Imagine a King Richard the "Wolf-heart?" Didn't think so.

The Tribe of Benjamin
a Mysterious and Enchanting Howl of the Wolf

Ben and Jude also align by direction, the Lion of Judah is associated with the east incidentally partners up with a 'western' tribe of Benjamin. Just in case you forgot, the tribes of Israel were supposed to camp on the certain sides of the ark during their march into the promised land. Since then in mystical kabala-baba talk, these directions have new age kind connotations.

Finally the pairing of totems of the Lion and Wolf occurs between brothers from different mothers who were also rival sisters. The Tribe of the Lion originated out of Leah, while the Tribe of the Wolf came from Rachel. Although sisters, they were fated to compete for their mutual husband's love who seeded the Twelve Tribes of Israel from four wives.

The 'states' of Benjamin and Judah also had geographic significance since their territories were divided right through the city of Jerusalem.

link to part 2 - an Ass and a...

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photo credits

Lion PIC: Originally posted on Flickr at The King, 26 July 2004
Wolf PIC: Wolf_Kolmården.jpg: Daniel Mott from Stockholm, Sweden - 2010-12-23 18:10 (UTC)
Home page of Petco : http://www.petco.com/

Smith Island Flag - Antarctica

Flag of Smith Island Flag
Antarctica

Smith Island is a part of the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica. This flag is modeled after the flag of Brazil in honor of Brazil's entry as a polar explorer. However instead of a green field, it has a white filed with green stars. The four green stars represent Octans the Star Compass, the most southerly constellation of our skies.

In 1982 Brazil undertook its first official exploration of Antarctica. Since then Brazil has maintained a based on King George Island since 1984 - Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Base.

Seven Samuari Flag - by Akira Kurosawa

Seven Samurai Flag
Japanese Film by Akira Kurosawa 1954

A flag from one of the greatest and legendary directors from the 1950s - Akira Kurosawa. The Seven Samuari 1954 was an epic ground breaking film for Japan. A small farming village hires Samurai to defend itself from thugs and bandits.

The flag of the Seven Samurai is the typical long banner used in feudal era Japan. It has six circles that represent six samurai and a triangle to represent the non-conformist Kukuchiyo. Along the bottom is the hiragana letter 'ta' which oddly looks like the English spelling for 'ta.' However in this case it represents the farmers.

Something akin to the Japanese version of Citizen Kane or rather Citizen Kane is the American version of the Seven Samurai. Both movies penetrate deep in the respective psyche of their nations. Both Welles and Kurosawa lived though the same time period and were respective artists in the medium of film.

1950s Movie Poster

Japanese Samurai movies were something like American Westerns in their old charm and good guy vs. bad guy mentality. Likewise they have been called spaghetti-samurai drama just as American has spaghetti-westerns.

Gotham City Flag - The Dark Knight, Batman

Gotham City Flag
Reversed from film to show it accurately

The flag of Gotham City has a blue background with the city seal surounded by thirteen yellow stars.







Close up of Gotham City Flag
The Dark Knight 2008

The flag has been reversed since it appears in the film 'backwards.' Gotham City seal features a ship sailing towards the fly. A yellow rope composes the outer circle. There are two crossed swords at 45 degrees pointing upwards behind the seal that are partially visible. A crossed and bound olive branches appear at the bottom. In the compartment is the city name 'GOTHAM' written in black on a heraldic yellow scroll-ribbon.




Gotham City Central
US flags with Gotham City Flags

The US flag appears alongside the Gotham City Flag. The Joker takes advantage of the event by impersonating police in order to assassinate the officials.

The Joker without Makeup
notice police badge of Gotham City Officers

The Gotham Police like all units across the world have their own arms patch. The Gotham Police use an eagle at the center with varied borders. Here the Joker apparently stole some uniforms in a 'false flag' move.

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ADDED JULY 9, 2012 SUNDAY

Director Christopher Nolan recycles this footage in The Dark Knight Rising 2012, during the flashback scenes.

White Island Flag, Antarctica

White Island Flag
Antarctica

White island is next to Black Island in the Ross Archipelago in Antarctica. This flag is based upon the national design of the UK flag.

Black Island Flag, Antarctica

Black Island Flag
Antarctica

The flag is based upon the UK Union Flag. It employs the colours black and indigo.

Flag of Sherman Island Antarctica

Flag of Sherman Island
Antarctica

This part of Antarctica was recognized as an island by the United States in 1946. Sherman Island gets its name from Forrest Sherman - who was an admiral in the US Navy.

The colours of Sherman Island Flag use red, green and white. Red and green are in honor of American Christmas colours while white represents clouds of heaven that are associated the realm of the divine as well as ice. The pattern is modeled after Iceland but with a different pallet of colours. In the upper canton is the South Star form the most southerly constellation - Octans eight parted star compass.

Happy Valentine's Day Valentina Tereshkova

Mission Insignia
Vostok 6 - first woman in orbit 1963

The first woman in space has a name matching Valentines day - Valentina Tereshkova. Valentina was born in the Soviet Union, which is now simply Russia. The Soviets or Russians had a wondrous opportunity to launch Valentina into orbit on Valentine's Day 1963 or 1964.

But communism lacks a certain fundamental shrill for fun and being silly - thus they botched a free cosmic fun footnote fact to make more than history. Imagine if Valentina became the first woman in space on Valentines Day 1963? Nobody'd forget that.

Ya see, the USA had sparkle and jazz, they called their moon ships Spider, Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Communists and atheists often abhor wacky and fun nut aspects of life, preferring a dry and grey tone neutral to existence. But humans are not grey nor neutral.

Coincidentally the mission insignia for womankind's first flight into orbit employs grey, white, and red. At least there is passionate red and divine white.

Flag of Masson Island, Antarctica

Masson Island
Antarctica

Based partially on the flag of Australia, here is the flag of Masson Island.

Elephant Island, Antarctica

Flag of Elephant Island
Antarctica

The flag of Elephant island is based upon the colours of Estonia with a Scandinavian Cross. The constellation represents Octans the Star Compass which is most southern constellation in the night sky.

Coronation Island, Antarctica

Flag of Coronation Island
Antarctica

Using the combined colours of the Smith and Bartram Antarctica designs, in conjunction with the most southern constellation Octans the Star Compass.

Mill Island Antarctica

Flag of Mill Island Antarctica

The flag of Mill Island uses the colours black, orange, and blue. The design is honor of Norwegian explorers of Antarctica.

Mill Island takes its name after a Scottish geographer.

Flag of Bear Island Antarctica

Flag of Bear Island Antarctica

The Flag of Bear Island uses the colours black, white and orange. These colours are based upon Antarctica's most famous residents - the penguins. The design of the flag is based upon the flag of Iceland but with altered colours.

Good Morning Vietnam 1987

Official Title of Good Morning Vietnam 1987

Starring Robin Williams, an epic and hilarious film about Vietnam. A ground breaking war film that ran the gambit of sorrow, joy, humor and love. Produced under Touchstone Pictures, it was a total polf, the opposite of an expected flop that became a super smash hit.

In the title credit is a unique logo created for the film. It featured an old time bar shaped microphone tilted to the left with air force wings of three stripes.

Robin Williams with Air Force hat
and Forrest Whitaker with Vietnam Sword Badge

In this shot the Airman Adriane Cronauer the military disc jockey that dared to play modern music is played by Robin Williams. To his right is first class private Edward Montesquieu Garlic played by Forrest Whitaker. On private Garlic's left arm is a military badge - it is a shield with a white sword facing upwards and composed of the colours red, yellow, and white.


US Navy Gunboat with US Flag

The US flag makes several appearances in the movie. Here it is proudly flown on the US river gunboat.






Official Trailer 1987

Pulp Fiction Flags - 1994 Quintin Tarintino's epic 90s gangster film

The Modern Confederate Flag with US flag

Pulp Fiction 1994 directed by Quintin Tarintino was a smash success gangster movie. Raunchy, racy, wild, entertaining and yet philosophical. It broke the Hollywood public consumption formula with retro sounds and cutting edge plot twists.




Here Butch Coolidge played by Bruce Willis stays at the River Glen Motel. A neon green and red "Drive In" sign is shaped like a pennant.




Official Trailer 1994

Tolmania Flags from the Great Dictator 1940

Flags of Tolmania

A year before the start of World War II, Charlie Chaplin gave his greatest speech that has echoed though time. The national symbol of Tolmania takes several forms. There are pennants, long banners, and in the four corners of the car we see the traditional rectangular version of the Tolmanian Nation. A parody of the times done to mock Hitler and Nazi Germany. Note this movie was created and released before the attack on Pearl Harbor and invasion of the Soviet Union.




Coincidentally Hitler and Chaplin were born in the same year - 1889. Likewise the swastika like Chaplin's mustache was corrupted by Western history to become a symbol synonymous with evil, at least in the Western Mind. Chaplin also wore a small square under nose mustache long before Adolf. Likewise the swastika has been a symbol of pride and peace for hundreds of years long before its 'Western Corruption' in World War II.



Mel Brooks humor before Mel Brooks cinema. Mr. Brooks would have been 14 or 15 years old when he saw this movie - that's eighth or ninth grade American. It is the famous thinker statue mocking the Nazi Reich arm salute. But notice its the left arm that is saluting the Great Dictator and not the right.






The flag of Tolmania consisted of two white 'Xes' on a field of black, presumably on a red field. Here Tolmanian Vexillums stand in the background. Their is an additional symbol that looks like a torch with two arrows pointing to the left and right.

Harry Potter Flags from the Triwizard Tournement - Drumstrang Institute of Magical Learning

The colours of Bulgarian School of Magic are black and red. Waved in the fourth Harry Potter film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Magic in 2005.
The Bulgarian School of Magic flags first wave at a tournament.





Bulgarian quidditch magician extraodinare - Victor Krum. Here Bulgaria meets Ireland at the international quidditch match. The colours of his school are apprently black and red. Krums talents shine and cause the Potter crew to adore his name and talents.














These are not the official colours of Bulgaria, rather they are the livery of the Drumstang Institute for Magical Learning. But the official colours of real Bulgaria use red and white, with green. But no black.

Harry Potter Flags from the Triwizard Tournement - The Beauxbatons Academy of Magic from France

The French Team is an all girls school

In 2005 the Harry Potter franchise saw the release of the its fourth film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In it there is an exchange program between schools for the Triwizard Tournament. Two other schools of magic come to Hogwarts to compete - one from France and the other from Bulgaria. Coincidentally a stylized letter 'B' on a quartered shield of arms are represent the French Academy of Magic.

Dark and light blue colours

Someday J.K. Rowling will release the rights and allow writers, hopefully French to expand and write about the Adventures at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. French Harry Potter heads would probably consume Beauxbaton Adventures like popcorn-crack.



The all girls school of magic from France
with Champions Banner

Beauxbaton allows no boys! It's an all girls school and some women would prefer to learn all about magic without men to influence or distract them from their magical talents.



A small pennant for Allez

Cheers form the French "Allez," which basically means "come on" in English or "ganbate" in Japanese. Five pointed stars are important symbols for Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.

Harry Potter Vexillum - Banners from the Goblet of Fire

Banners and Vexillums

A few Harry Potter Vexillums and banners wave in the Goblet of Fire 2005. In the fourth film Harry is chosen to compete against two other schools of magic in the Triwarzads Tournament. Suffice it to say Harry is mildly successful. On the left and right are banners held up by two poles while the vexillum is held up by a cross pole - to permanently unfurl a flag without the need for wind.



Golden Harry Flag with Gold Stamp

Once Harry opens the Golden Dragons Egg a horrible shriek shouts across the room. In this scene, clear glimpses of Harry's vexillum's are shown. On a background of red, Harry is scrawled in gold in chief above a yellow square like icon.



Close up of Yellow Potter Dragon Vexilloid

Harry gleefully opens his Dragons Prize with a frightful surprise. To the right of the egg is a yellow vexillum to honor and encourage Harry on this quest to outwit the dragon. Behind Harry's head is another banner for Gryffindor.

Harry's name with yellow lightning bolt border

Everyone is excited to see the egg open up! The banners or vexillums made in Harry honor are clearly seen.

We Love Harry Potter

The banner to Harry right has the shield of arms for Gryffindor. It has a white lion rampant on a quartered shield with Gryffindor's livery - yellow and red. To the left of Harry is a vexillum with livery and his first name outlined with a lightening bolt.

Customers Bank and Bank of America

Bank of America Logo
notice US Flag Motif

Using the US flag as a commercial logo is considered by some and the US Flag Code as inappropriate. However two companies that successfully use the US flag in their logo are Bank of America and Customers Bank. Customers Bank does it in totality while Bank of America uses a stylized version of the US flag.

Bank of America and Customers Bank are two banks from different ends of the spectrum. Bank of America is a Mega-Bank with a global reach and an ocean of power, while Customers Bank is a small Micro-Bank with a small and efficient reach and full of puddle power. At the moment they illustrate the difference between a strong big vs a small quick business. No doubt if Customers Bank grows to 250-500 outlets, will it be taken over or absorbed by a Mega Bank as happened with Commerce Bank with TD Bank. When this happens the Customers Bank icon with go the way of the red, white, and blue Commerce Bank logo.

Customers Bank is headquartered in Pennsylvania and led by Jay Sidhu. The current company logo consists of the US flag on a red disc. It is coincidentally a combination of the Japanese and US national symbols. Bank of America traces its origins to the West Coast in California in 1904 of the efforts of Amadeo Giannini.

Customers Bank Logo
A mix of Japanese and US Symbols

Banks are basically legal loan sharks with open rules. Rules that operate under official law. They are supposed to help others by helping themselves. Banks are like bacteria, most are good, but a few go bad and harm the system. Bad banks only help a few, while good banks help many.

Good Bank dolphin, Bad Bank shark.

Link to Bank of America
https://www.bankofamerica.com/

Link to Customers Bank
http://customersbank.com/

Flagship Paper Products

Flagship Paper Products Logo

The logo of Flagship - W.B. Mason utilizes the US flag and elements of heraldry. The US flag is on the left and right sides of the portrait in the traditionally supporter position.





Link to corporate website
http://www.wbmason.com