Expansion of the International Maritime Code for the 'Missing' letters

The International Maritime Code is based upon the English Language. Subsequently there are several 'letters' absent because of the Anglo-Roman Alphabet adaptation of Sound-to-Flag. So in an effort to truly Internationalize the Maritime Code, here are additional signal letter flags that fill in the sound gaps that English misses with One-Letter/Sound-to-One-Flag.

The Spanish 'Jota'
CALL = JESUS
"REMOTELY CONTROLLED"

English speakers don't use this sound but can easily make it. This sound is popular in Spanish and sounds like a cat hissing while making the letter 'H' sound. The Spanish 'J' can be found in the Spanish words:

Jugar (play)
Juan (John)
Jesus (Hey-Zeus with a cat hiss on 'H' in Hey)



'Enye' or the Spanish N with a tilda on it
CALL = PINATA
"PARTY SOON"

This sound is used in English but ignored as a separate sound. Think of the word 'Manual.' The 'n' in 'Manual' dose not sound like a regular 'n.' Perhaps the most popular word in Spanish recognizable to world is 'MANANA.' The first 'N' of 'MANANA' uses this flag - manana means tomorrow. As you can see this flag is based on the international maritime code for 'N' but with red and black.




The Soft TH
CALL = THIMBLE
"REQUESTING POLICE PROTECTION"

The 'TH' sound in English can be difficult for a foreigner to master. It is so strange that even English speakers don't notice the complexities of it.There are actually two TH sounds - a hard and soft. In Arabic they make a distinction with different letters, but in English we don't.

Link to Soft Arabic TH or Hard Arabic TH letter, and this video illustrates the differences.

This 'TH' is the soft one as can be found in thing, thick, or at the end as in sloth. This flag is based upon the international maritime code for the letter 'T.' The next flag illustrates the hard or rather vibrating 'TH' sound.


The Hard TH sound
CALL = THAT-CAT
"IMMEDIATE AIRLIFT NEEDED"

Again it is based on the international maritime code for the vertical tri-bar for the letter 'T' yet it represents the hard 'TH' sound with a vibration like: The, Those, That, and Then. The two 'TH' sounds are like the difference between 'F' and 'V.'

'F' and 'V' are very similar. The hard 'TH' has the 'V' vibration while the soft 'TH' is like 'F' without a vibration.



The hard back throat K or Hebew Khet
like your going to hock a looger
CALL = CHUTZPAH
"TAKING ON WATER/SINKING"

Remember that thing at the back of your throat that apparently has no purpose? It may have no use in English, but other languages sometimes use it.

The uvula helps make the hocking 'K' vibration-sound. Most linguists call it a guttural sound. But it dose not involve the gut - the stuff below the esophagus. Rather it involves the back of the throat. These sounds are used in Hebrew, Arabic, Dutch, Scottish, and French. English rarely uses it, but we can easily make that sound. Click this link to see it in action.

The rolled rr of Spanish
CALL = ARROZ
"TERRORISTS IN CONTROL"
Most English speakers have the tables finally turned on them - and making this sound is a bit of a challenge.

The design of the flag is based on a flag for 'R' - reversed by colours and doubled in crosses. Graciously it has the colours of Spain already on it.

If you liked making sound effects when you were younger, then mastering it should be no problem. Click this link on youtube to learn how to get the rolled Spanish R.

The CH sound
CALL = CHIPPER
"REQUESTING UNDERWATER SCUBA/SUB DOCKING TEAM"

This flag is based upon the international maritime code for the letter 'C' - but facing horizontal. The architects of the English Language apparently thought it'd be easier to combine two letters rather than invent a new letter - like they did in Russian.  The 'Scuba Docking' flag is a sordid combo of the diver down flag of 'Alpha' and the 'US-North American' flags. 




The Jacques Cousteau Sound
or Russian Zhe - looks like an Asterisk
CALL = JACQUES-COUSTEAU
"EXOTIC ANIMALS ON BOARD"
This sound is used in English, but not distinguished. In Russian and French they use this sound much more like a consonant. You can hear this sound in the name George, if you hold out the vibrating 'G' sound or better yet in 'treasure' with the letter 'S.'







The SH sound Flag
CALL = SUGAR
 "PRISONERS IN CARGO"

Again this flag represents the 'SH' sound which has its own letter in Arabic, Hebrew, Russian, and even the mother language of all - Egyptian. Some how the Romans decided that the 'SH' sound didn't deserve its own letter.

Rather the 'S' and 'H' were married to make this sound, but sometimes 'C' can interlope with 'H' to make the 'shh' sound on occasions.

Also note 'S' by itself can sometimes make the 'SH' sound as in 'SUGAR.' We don't say 'SUE-GAR' rather we say 'SHUGER,' yet we spell it 'sugar.' See how nutty English really is!?

The NG flag
CALL =NGOW or COWTOWING
"NEED LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR"

This sound is commonly found in South East Asian languages and sounds like a mashed up 'N' and 'G.' Oddly, this sound is commonly in English, but only at the end and middle. You'd think we'd have no problem using it the beginning or have it appear a few times in a leading role?

With a little bit of practice native English Speakers can master it, since we already use it, quite a lot.

Click this link to see this 'consonant' in leading roles - as found in Thailand, China, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, Malaysian, Tagalog, and Indonesian.

The throat clicks
CALL - QIKQIOk or Q-BERT
"TOURIST VESSEL"
This sound used is some African Languages. This is a sound little kids like to make when playing around. In the linked video it is the last click.








Backwards Tsi or Psi, The C-Click
CALL =CXACXAGABOR or ZSA ZSA GABOR
"U.F.O."

This click is sort of like a backwards psi or tsi. It is used in Central Southern Africa and in Native Mayan Languages. To make this sound click the link - it's the same video for QikQiok.







The Side Click
CALL = QIOSA - CLICK CLOCK
"U.F.I" - Unknown Floating Item

This click is best known as the horse click or something like that. To hear it and perhaps practice it follow the link above. This flag is unique in design an like a backwards "ALPHA." The tree sounds originate from the Xhosa Language.






The PSI or TSI flag
CALL = PSYCHIC
"A.I. IN CONTROL"

This flag is based upon the international maritime flag for 'S.' The PSI sound originally had its own letter in Greek - which looks like a pitchfork. But the Romans must have decided that it was a stupid looking letter. Such a shame, since the pitchfork letter is cool looking.

We English speakers use this sound a lot but it's ignored - examples of the sound can be found at the end of words like lets, pets, lips and psst. Psychic is pronounced 'TSYE-KICK.'

The Japanese R/L
CALL = LOTERRIA
"CYBORGS IN CHARGE"

In Japan there is an 'R/L' sound. It seems to be a hybrid of the 'L' and 'R' sounds. You'd then think the Japanese would have no problem distinguishing between an 'R' and 'L' sound? Wrong!

But going the other way - as a native English speaker to learn the Japanese 'R' is much easier. Much easier than rolling the Spanish RR.

The Japanese "Ra-Ri-Ru-Re-Ro" sound (click for a youtube viedo link). But going the other way - for native Japanese speakers to learn the English 'R' or 'L' is difficult. Finally note that LOTTERIA is fast food chain founded by an Japanese National who was ethnically Korean.

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

When the English tried to adapt a Latin Roman Alphabet to a Germanic Language their was a wee bit of confusion on how to make it all work. To this day English Speakers oddly take pride on themselves when they master this insanely irrational language. If you have not noticed there are no Spelling Bees in Spain for good reason - the language matches up mostly with the way its supposed to sound and how it's written. This is the reason why substitute teachers and native English speakers can't read new foreign names or odd foreign words. One has to stumble many times before getting the system right - it's a cursed language.

A similar thing happened on the other side of the world in Japan. The Japanese took mainland Chinese Languages from different regions and at different times - then cluster schmucked it to their own Tungus like tongue. The result is a complex and challenging language. Subsequently native Japanese speakers like English Speakers take extreme pride on those who master their 'linguistic symbols.'

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If you have any ideas for sounds/letters from foreign alphabets that English misses post it here.

Chukotka US-Russian Heritage Flag

Chukotka American-Rusian Heritage Flag

There is a supersize footnote that the Russians once colonized part of the United States.

Most know that Alaska was originally a Russian Colony and some know that California was host to the Russians near Sonoma County by San Francisco Bay.

But did you know that the United States also had colonies in Russia? Very short lived expeditions, yet longer than a year.


This is the Chukotka United States-Russian Heritage Flag. It is dedicated to America's short lived stint in Alaska's proverbial half brother - Chukotka. It follows the overall pattern of Chukotka's modern flag. However this shade of blue - navy blue - is taken after Alaska's flag with the yellow north star of Alaska. Instead of the federal colours of Russia in the yellow ring there are thirteen stripes reflective of the American flag - six red and seven white. Finally the white triangle is on the opposite side to indicate America's point of view.

Official Chukotka Flag in Russia
Chukotka is Russia's Alaska
or rather Alaska is America's Chukotka?

Perhaps the meekest of US-Russian colonies to fall into the cracks of history took place at the western end of Russia in Chukotka on Wrangel Island. Wrangel island is a small Asian Isle in the Arctic Ocean. It was long known to 'Inuit' peoples but the first written reference to this Arctic Ocean Island belongs to a Russian Cossak - Steven Andreyev in 1764.

The first US landing on the island took place on August 12, 1881 with the USRC Corwin. The USRC stands for United States Revenue Cutter Service which is the 'maiden' name of the US Coast Guard. The leader of the US expedition was Calivin L. Hooper who subsequently claimed the island for the United States and christened it - 'New Columbia.' Additionally famed first American Naturalist John Muir was a part of the expedition.

Original illustration by John Muir
with the modern 2012 Chukotka Flag added

In 1911 the Russian Government laid claim to the island, but in 1921 a joint US-Canadian team of colonists landed. By 1924 only one American and 13 Inuit were living in Chukotka and an Inuit anchor baby. But in 1924 American hopes on holding this frozen wonderland were dashed by the Soviet Union who evicted the 'American Colonist and US Wards.'

Afterwards the US Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughs made an overture for an American Reindeer CEO, Carl J. Lomen, to "go and hold it." But this American Enterprise only made as far as Herald Island, where a 48 starred US flag was raised and they later went home, gravely short of the intended target.


















Just as some lord over that Alaska was once Russian, the counter punch is that some of Russia - in this case Chukota - was in a juxtaposition semi-formally a part of the United States. Geographically speaking as Alaska is Russia's forlorn tundra of the USA, or rather parts of Chukota are America's forlorn icebox of Russia.

Olympic Flag with 6 rings to more accurately reflect the 6 participating continents

Six Ringed Olympic Flag for Six Continents

The Olympic Flag only has five rings to represent five continents. However there are a total of six participating continents! Don't they know how to add? Well the reason that only five rings appear is because North and South America are counted as one continent.

This is unfair since both are several times larger than Australia and have a wider range of cultures.

As for comparison to North America two and half Australias would fit snugly in one North America. Likewise two Europes would still be smaller than North America.

As for South America - South America's aboriginal cultures have a much wider array of diversity than Australian aboriginals. South America is bigger than Europe, Australia and Antarctica.

And what about Antarctica? Well before the seventh ring is added an athlete needs to be born on it and make it to the Olympics - then a seventh ring is in order. To see that flag click here on yesterday's post.

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Olympic Flag with 7 of rings to represent the 7 Continents

Olympic Flag
with all 7 Continents Represented

The five rings on the Olympic Flag represent 'five' continents. Officially speaking the recognized 'Olympic Worthy' continents are Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and America.

Oddly it is a bit unfair that North America and South America are counted as one continent!

To remedy the situation here is a more accurate seven ringed Olympic Flag for the seven continents - such that North and South America are given their own ring and Antarctica is included.

It is a long way off from now - till Antarctica gets its own homegrown population with its own independent country and is able to send athletes to the Olympics. But surely Antarctica will do so in the 22nd Century, and the kiddies in kindergarten today will certainly see that day.


Note that building colonies and Antarctica is much easier than building colonies on the moon.

Zeus Parody - a call for an expansion of Olympic Medals

Zeus has declared today at Mt. Olympus, Greece that fourth and fifth place should receive medals at the next Olympics, because there are five rings on the Olympic Flag - one for each 'continent.'

For the full story click here...

Smallville Pennants from Superman III - 1983

Superman III
notice the Smallville Pennants

Perhaps the most unique flag in Superman III is the Smallville Pennant. The livery of Smallville are maroon and gold. During the class reunion Clark Kent helps his old high school crush Lana clean up afterwards.



Superman III 1983
Smallville Pennant

Who knew the humble and generous Clark Kent would grow up to be such a stellar person? Clark didn't even know himself who or what he was until after high school.

Clark Kent had the capacity to become a super star athlete but his wise parents knew this would lead to no good and would be a waste of his extra ordinary talents.


Richard Pryor next to Smallville Pennant
Superman III - 1983

The makers of Superman III were keenly aware that computers can be used for good, profit and stealing - especially from within. Here Gus Gorman is hacking into Websco Company - nearly a decade before the 'web' became a household word.


Smallville Baseball Pennant
Superman III - 1983

Smallville apparently supports its own small time baseball league. Here Lana in calling from a wall phone and on the kitchen wall is a Smallville baseball pennant.

The Daily Planet Flag from Superman II

The Daily Planet

The Daily Planet is a fictional news agency in the DC Comics Universe. It is where Superman meets Lois Lane.

In Superman II 1980 the flag of the Daily Planet can be seen.



The Daily Planet Flag
Superman II 1980

The flag of the Daily Planet is composed of four colours - navy blue, white, light blue and brownish orange. The background is navy blue and a geographic globe of the earth is at the center. Around the earth is the name of of the newspaper 'The Daily Planet' with seven white stars nearer the bottom.



In the 1980s news still had a hardline professional element - as things of great importance were printed in black and white. The 1980s was the final heyday for newspapers - since the internet was still a loose network or hardcore gamers and government agencies.

The Superman Jack - Superman 1980

Notice the red, white, and blue jack of the yacht

A unique flag makes an appearance in the 1980 Superman film starring Christopher Reeve. The special flag is a jack - only flown at the 'front' or bow of a ship.

The jack has a red and white frame along the outer edge, with red further out. A blue triangle is in the middle. A white horizontal line divides the blue triangle into two parts - a trapezoid by the hoist and another triangle towards the fly.

The 'Superman' Jack of the Serenidee
Superman 1980

Hands down, Christopher Reeve was the best Superman to fly into the imagination of the world.

In 1980 audiences in Asia, Europe, Australia, America and Africa were mesmerized by Reeves' humble yet skillful portrayal of the legendary Superman - that exists in all men.

A reboot of John Williams 1980s Superman
Theme in 1980s Metal
Metal is an appropriate musical genre for the the Man of Steel

Fire Fox Air Plane Guidon-Banner

Firefox is the 'free' internet browser that is not tied to any particular corporation. It has an elemental driving force like oxygen.

Here it is as an airplane banner.




you can get this free internet application here
www.mozilla.org

Pan Vietnam Heritage Flag

Pan Vietnam Flag

Just as China has a pan-China flag it only makes harmonious sense that Vietnam get a pan-Vietnam Flag too.

China and Vietnam are the ruling East Asian Aces so similar yet so very different. China the Chicken and Vietnam the Cobra, coincidentally they both look like those two animals. Ancient animals from the 'cosmic egg' that teach, educate, and sustain us all.

Chesapeake Bay Flag Association at Winterthur

CBFA Meeting at Winterthur


There as a CBFA meeting today in Virginia. But that photo ain't Virginia. It's Delaware. Sorry I missed it!

Spingfield Township, Pennsylvania Montgomery County Flag

USA - Top Flag
Springfield Township - Middle Flag
Tree City USA - Bottom Flag

Three flags appear in this photograph. The upper is the federal flag of the United States of America. The lowest flag is the US Tree City Flag. And most uniquely in the middle is the Flag of Springfield Township, Pennsylvania of Montgomery County.

Montgomery County was originally a part of Philadelphia County - but as the American Revolution started it was separated from the 'original revolutionary' capital of 1776.

The flag of Springfield Township, Montgomery County Pennsylvania is a horizontal tri-bar with two shades of blue. The fly and hoist fields are cyan blue while the central field is indigo blue. In the central position is a township seal.







Here is the Springfield Township Police HQ. It is next to the township library and firehouse. Most people are aware of the state and county government, but township and municipality geographic knowledge is usually overlooked. Basically townships are like mini-states of the county.



It can get confusing but the level below county often has cultural borders and different orders of communities. In the rural country it is not so pronounced, but in suburban communities that form around a city with a rich financial center and skid row ghetto, suburban township cultural variability can be remarkable.

Crossing over a township line in lower Montgomery County, PA is often like crossing an international border in the pace and type of culture. But my experience in Springfield Township, PA has been rather magical. There must be something positive and charming in the water?


Close up of Springfield Township

A close up of Springfield Township, it features a shield with two hands shaking in the chief. The lower portion is divided in half with a sheaf of wheat on the left and a shovel and pick axe on the right. The shield of arms rests on a tree with a ray of sun beams is bloom, via the lines. The date 1681 appears by the trunk and is cut in middle by it. Around the central seal is a ring where it is written "SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP" on the upper half and "Montgomery County, Pennsylvania" on the lower half, with two acorns acting as dividers near the horizontal middle.


Rumor has it the great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather of Bart Simpson, Mart Simpson, was in the Philadelphia Militia. But when a mule kicked him in the head - he thought was in Indian and ran off into the forest jabbering about sunk meat. Apparently a Mart Simpson was raised by one of the local tribes.

Olympic Expansion Medals for 4th place and 5th place - 2012 edition

Expansion of medals for 4th & 5th place
2012 London Olympics

Although China got first gold the USA got first Tin, likewise Czech got the fist Copper.


Jamie-Lynn Gray of the USA gets the first unofficial honorary "TIN" medal of the 2012 Olympic Games!

Why two extra medals? Because it matches with the five rings of the Olympic flag - a medal for each continent. Besides those athletes worked so hard and sacrificed so much.

Finally since the Olympic flag has five rings - five medals make a harmonious whole for the five continents.  This idea is in harmony with the official Olympic Creed:

"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE OLYMPICS IS NOT TO WIN BUT TO TAKE PART, JUST AS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT THE TRIUMPH BUT THE STRUGGLE.  THE ESSENTIAL THING IS NOT TO HAVE CONQUEORED BUT TO HAVE FOUGHT WELL"  -PIERRE DE COUBERTIN

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Added 8/11/2016

FIVE RINGS = FIVE MEDALS

The original spirit of the new games was to come together in healthy competition and community, not necessarily for a medal count. So here is a suggestion, since there are five rings why not five medals?

Fourth and fifth place certainly deserve something for their fortitude and so close effort! They don't even have to stand on the podium or get their flags raised. But maybe they can stand on the flanking left and right sides? Also if it's a team sport then only one member of the team can stand by the podium. When the Olympics started in 1896 there weren't as many nations participating as their are today. In fact their were only 14 nations, now there are over 200 participating nations.

5 Olympic Rings match with 5 Olympic Medals

So what would the metals be made up of? It really does not matter but it would make sense to have them made up of the constituent elements of bronze. Thus fourth place gets copper while fifth place gets tin.

So that would make 6th place the unlucky duck who just missed out..... but not completely!

Another idea that would take focus away from national obsession for trophies, is to give out awards to the best 24 competitors. Since the Games are based on Greek culture why not give out ring trophies to the top 24 competitors? Just wait till you hear how we would do this!

24 Olympic Achievement Rings based on the Greek Alphabet from Alpha to Omega, for the top 24 places.

First it will promote Greek Culture, and thus the world will become familiar with Greek letters. Second, we all enjoy the games because of the Greeks, it's the right thing to do to honor the Greeks. Finally all those athletes who sacrificed so much certainly deserve something.


Thus 1st place gets the Alpha ring, the 2nd place gets the Beta ring, 3rd gets a Gamma ring, 4th gets a Delta ring, and 5th gets an Epsilon ring in addition to their medals the receive already.

6th place to 24th would not get a medal but only rings of their respective position. 6th gets a ring with Eta on it while 24th position gets a ring with Omega on it. The person or team in 25th does not get a Greek Ring, but only a token participant ring. 

Doing this is in the spirit of the games for community and healthy competition, and in respect to the Greeks who started these games. If this is done, people all over the world will eventually know the Greek Alphabet through osmosis (my favorite Greek word).

If they ever expand the medal reward system, why not also crown 1st place with a wreath of olives too? Apparently in the original Greek Games only the winner received this olive branch token. Medals for 1st let alone 2nd and 3rd were modern contrivances.


Besides, wearing an Olympic medal in public after the games are over is a wee bit ostentatious, no? But the athletes who placed in the top 24 positions can still strut their stuff and inspire others with "Official Place Position Olympic Rings."

The rings of fist five places should match their medal position. Thus 1st place gets a golden ring, 2nd a silver ring, 3rd a bronze ring, 4th a copper ring, and 5th a tin ring. Places 6th and below get a regular ring made out of a less expensive metal than tin or some alloy of it.


These men and women worked hard and sacrificed time, money, and certain aspects of their youth. They deserve something. If any of these ideas are adopted then former Olympic athletes can easily show others a humble memento and inspire.

They can keep the fire of the Olympics shining wherever they go.

 

Did you know that expanding the medal reward system has already happened for the modern Olympics? The first two Olympics at Athens & Paris only gave out official medals for first and second. And they did not give out any gold. Instead first place received a silver medal and second place got a bronze medal. If you placed third – you got nada.

It wasn’t until the first American Olympics in St. Louis that gold medals were handed out. So if you think we shouldn’t add medals for fourth or fifth just because it breaks with tradition – tradition has already been broken. 

Furthermore, when you do the math on the ratio of prizes to participating nations the shift in numbers is staggering. During the first modern Olympics there were 14 participating nations competing for 2 medals (first and second). This leads to a 1 out of 7 chance of randomly winning a medal. Basically, if things were led to chance a nation had a 14% chance of winning a medal.* When they started handing out gold medals for first place at the St. Louis Olympics the ratio actually increased to about 1 to 4, because there were 3 medals to win for 12 participating nations (25% chance). Fast forward to the Rio-2016 Olympics with 206 participating nations – the ratio of winning a medal is about 1 to 69. In terms of a percentages that’s about a 1% chance of winning a medal.
 

Let’s say they expand to five medals for the top five places, the ratio changes to about 1 to 42, raising the chances of winning a medal a measly 2%. So if you are worried that giving fourth and fifth a medal will devalue 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd - is one percent a big fuss? 
 

Now when you calculate the 24 ring-alphabet awards with 2016-Rio Olympic numbers the pure chance ratio of winning ring is about 1 to 8.5 – which is only 12%. Note 12% is a lot closer to the original ratio or percentage of the first modern Olympics at Athens.
 

So why not!? Think of all that hard work and sacrifice those athletes put into their training – the heartache, time, tears, sweat, and blood. Certainly they deserve a better shot at winning a medal or at least snatching a humble token of their dedication and fortitude. The time has come to expand the Olympic medal reward system. 

An expanded idea for the Olympic rings is that all participants get a ring.  If they place 24 or higher they get a Greek letter carved in it, if they place 5th or higher they get a medal.  Athletes who place 25th or below get a ring with logo of the host nations choosing, perhaps the year, place, and logo.  Thus all athletes get a ring, some will get the generic participant ring, some will get a Greek lettered ring, while a few will get a coveted gold, silver, bronze, copper, and tin ring.  

Finally since the Olympic flag has five rings - five medals make a harmonious whole for the five 'official' continents.  Once again, this idea is consistent with the official Olympic Creed:

"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THE OLYMPICS IS NOT TO WIN BUT TO TAKE PART, JUST AS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT THE TRIUMPH BUT THE STRUGGLE.  THE ESSENTIAL THING IS NOT TO HAVE CONQUEORED BUT TO HAVE FOUGHT WELL"  -PIERRE DE COUBERTIN

Unusual American Flags on the Colbert Report and Daily Show with John Stewart

John Stewart with 'American Flag Mic'

Portraying the US flag in odd ways and as clothing was sometimes sensitive issue in the past. But in 2012, you can do almost do anything with it, barring desecration.

On the Daily Show on the Comedy Central cable channel, it is used as a patriotic themed mic. Here John Stewart is uses the flag of the United States of America as skirting to a mic, announcing that Americans have a right to be loud and shout.

Steven Colbert with US flag themed bed spread

On The Colbert Report the US flag is the basis of his bed spread. Here, Mr. Colbert is sitting next to radio to see if work is cancelled.

Happy Christmas in July! Flags in Home Alone 1990

Heraldic City Seal of Chicago
Home Alone 1990

Home Alone 1990 is a Christmas Classic for the whole family. From the very young to the very old and everyone in between this is the signature heartwarming classic by America's All American Dad - John Hughes.

Little kids can be nice but are often naughty. Especially to their siblings - younger to older or older to younger. Likewise parents can say harsh words in the heat of the moment as can kids.

Be careful what you wish for, for it sometimes might come true, and in Home Alone 1990 a little boy's angry wish comes true - for his family to disappear. Home Alone stars the talented Macaulay Culkin. Culkin's stellar childhood performance captured the hearts of America and the World in 1990.

City Flag of Chicago
Home Alone 1990

Here Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is sent to the attic bedroom after a string of bad luck with his family. Above the bed is the city flag of Chicago, Illinois. It has four red stars and two light blue stripes on a white background.



Flag of Switzerland
Home Alone 1990

Kevin's parents running though Chicago O'Hare International Airport. You can see the flag of Switzerland just behind the father played by Peter McCallerter played by John Heard.

Flag of Sweden
Home Alone 1990

The flag of Sweden also makes an appearance in Home Alone. It is a yellow cross on a blue background.







Flag of Mexico
Home Alone 1990

Finally the flag of Mexico makes a brief cameo in Home Alone 1990. It is a perfect Christmas Flag since it has red and green in it. And Mexico is also the origin of poinsettia flowers. Likewise a Mexican Christmas's climate is much more like Holy Land than your typical White Chicago Christmas.


Polka Band Beer Mug Insignia
Home Alone 1990

Here John Candy plays as Gus Polinski - member of The Kenosha Kickers polka band - offers Kevin's Mother played by Catharine O'Hara a ride to Chicago. The insignia of the band is a yellow beer mug with its foam head over flowing.




This movie in the foreseeable future will certainly top the top ten list of 'American Hot Coco Christmas Movie Classics,' mostly due to the outstanding performance of Macaulay Culkin.

Overalls & Jeans Pants Flags - My Little Pony & Steven Colbert

My Little Pony
Witches Jeans Pennant

Jeans have often appeared as flags in art as jokes and by accident. In the original My Little Pony a pair of paints flies on the main mast of the witches boat upon a sea of smooze. Smooze is a semi-sentient purple substance that feeds off of negativity, jealously, and fear. Here the smooze has been summoned by the witches in the volcano to attack the Little Ponies Dream Castle.





Steven Colbert with Overalls Flag

Here Steven Colbert's art department has made a pun on the overalls as being a flag. The neat coincidence is that both Steven Colbert and the mean witches in My Little Pony often summon up negativity against their enemies - cute ponies and some times cute donkey democrats.

Toy Story 3 Flags - US Flag and Ken's State Pennant

US flag as arm patch
Ken's Arm Patch - Toy Story 3

In Toy Story 3 the US flag makes a quick cameo in Barbie's Dream House - as an arm patch for Ken's Astronaut outfit.

In the computer animated film Toy Story 2010, the toys are able to come to life when people are not looking. This movie took popular toys from all around the world and made by different corporations and slammed it all together, even with their own original toys.

This movie is for children as much as it is for adults, with star studded cast it recaptures to play of childhood with adult oriented themes.

Toy Story 3 2012


Another flag - the generic 'State' college of perhaps 'Kentucky' show up in Ken's dressing room. The colors of the school are 'gold' and 'purple.'

Pan China Flag

Pan China Flag

A creative concoction - the pan-China flag. The red star represents the mainland of China the four smaller stars represent Taiwan, Singapore, Chinese all over the old world and finally Chinese living in the Americas.

Orbitz Travel Compary Flag Commercial - 2012

Orbitz Travel Agency Flag
Spring 2012 Commercial

Orbitz is an popular online travel agency. Recently it went 'vexillological' in a similar view to Mazda's plant your flag campaign.

This commercial playfully uses patriotism to promote its service.

The current flag of Orbitz uses three colours- white, navy blue, and blue. In the center is the corporate logo mostly in navy blue. The letter 'O' is stylized in a yin and yang like (counter charge) manner but using rounded arrows - the navy blue arrow is pointed down while the air force blue pointing upwards.

Around the flag is a frame of navy blue and air force blue. And it is divided in with a thin white diagonal from bottom hoist to top fly, but it remains passive to Orbitz logo.


public company website -- http://www.orbitz.com/


Orbitz cleverly uses the company flag as golf flag. It only briefly appears in the commercial. At least here you can study it in all its marketing wonder.

American Insitute of Heraldry

Public Announcement

Charted Today

American Institute of Heraldry

founded 2012 July 18th 10:44pm EST

Let it be known that the art of American Heraldry be established today at the local of Doylestown Borough, 247 Beek Street, in the 2012th year of our Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, that the institute of American Heraldry proclaimed in this the virtual space of the United States of America, upon the blog The Voice of Vexillology, Flags & Heraldry.

May it be a liberal, accurate, and professional organization dedicated to the study unhindered by cumbersome orthodoxy of the Old World. It shall endeavor to a study and advance the art and science of heraldry in the New World as perpetually awoken to the Old World by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Buckingham Township Arms - Bucks Couty, Pennsylvania

Buckingham Township Seal - Bucks County

Buckingham Township is located in the heart of Bucks County one of the original counties of Pennsylvania.

Bucks is a simplified version of Buckingham County - but the original name is preserved here on in Buck's Buckingham Township. The shield of arms is similar with that of William Penn. The shied has a silvery argent - Sergent base. It is 'parted' in fess sable with three circles of 'Sergent'

For thoust familiar with heraldry, I am using free speak American lingo - as opposed to orthodox thy royal 'ms-dos' format.

The supporters are fruits and vegetables - an ear of open corn revealing its ripe kernels and a succulent grapes ready to eat or make wine out of. The motto is on a light brown scroll in the compartment with 'Peace & Plenty. ' The background-field is navy blue. At the helm is a animal drawn human guided plow.

In a silver circle it is written 'Bucks . 1700 . County . Buckingham Township.'