A North Face Flag appears in the 1980s teenage classic Better Off Dead 1985. It has the North Face logo in green on a white background. Another important vexilloid are the skiing gate markers. In this case our hero Lane, played by John Cusack, is skiing through them.
Better Off Dead was perfect 1980s cult classic loaded with campy quotable jokes. It straddled the line of zany 80s comedy yet grounded itself with serious real tough to tackle life issues. Cusack was not a part of the 1980s brat pack, but he surely carried his own weight living on making movies, up into the modern cell phone I-phone age.
Better Off Dead 1985 stars John Cusack. In this underdog hero story John deals with high school life in the middle of the 1980s.
The High School is Gale High whose school colours are navy blue and yellow. In the bedroom of his x-girlfriend a high school pennant of Gale High can barely be seen. It has navy blue letters on a field of yellow. The colours can be best seen during a lunch scene with when a cheerleader sits near Lane.
Before youtube, access to broadcasting local videos was extremely limited. The show Live With Lilly is sponsored by the school - Grove High School. With a modest budget, basic hand made banners can be seen. The title of this segment is called Shutup And Listen.
School colours or livery are official colours to represent a specific entitiy. In this case the colours of Grove High School in San Fransico are yellow, baby blue, and white.
The cheer leaders are holding pom poms with the school colours. In the right hand of the front cheerleader is a long trailing flag .
Princesses are real. And when one thinks of Disney Princesses, usually animated princess pop up in ones imagination. However in 2001 a real life princess was released into Disney folklore - The Princess of Genovia in the film The Princess Diaries 2001. This real life flesh and blood, un-animated princess of from fantasia is played by Anne Hathaway.
Disney has yet to make a Princess of Genovia doll, certainly one is overdue. Unlike the other animated princess stories, the fictional Princess of Genovia does not use magic, witches, or fairy god-mothers to solver her problems. This princess deals with reality like a normal human would.
The national seal for Genovia slightly differs for the royal arms. The primary difference is the missing letter 'G'. It can be found on the royal badge, but as for the national flag the arms are missing the special 'G'.
The royal arms of Genovia, the fictional nation in the Princess Diaries 2001 is often used as a badge. A badge is usually a icon or type of arms that is free for use on persons, things, and places under service of the royal member. It can be seen as a badge on the left side of the chest as a badge for the royal staff. It uses the colours red, purple, and yellow. A stylized letter G is in the center. It has two fluer-de-lis in yellow, and purple chevron. On the chevron are two interlaced ringlets of yellow. Below the arms is the motto on a yellow ribbon.
The Royal Arms of Genovia is even intricately placed on the limousine privacy window.
The Grove School Emblem is a Lion as seen in Disney's 2001 production of the Princess Diaries. The school flag can be seen in the introductory sequence next to the California state flag. The school flag has a white background with a yellow lion's head facing forward. The school's name is written in blue around the head in a circular manner.
The badge of Grove School is a blue disc with a yellow circle on the edge. In the middle in a yellow male lion's head, with the school's name written in white underneath. Along the left and right support sides of the lion's head are two while olive leaf branches. A counter-change of colours is also visible on an athletic banner on the school's roof. The lion is blue, and the background is yellow, but the olive branches are still white.
In the party beach sequence a close up version of the schools badge can be seen on a kite. The creators of the this badge were attentive to detail.
The hero of the story, Mia must learn to trust her inner heart, in order honor her birthright position of power. In the beginning of the film she starts out as a frizzy, bushy eye brow, otaku, class nerd. But a lucky twist of fate has put her in a dynamic position. The logo of the Grove School is clearly seen on her athletic school t-shirt.
A flag is visible in the official video for Miracles Happen by Myra. Interlaced with the original video are cut scenes from the Princess Diaries 2001. Jumping in the air for joy is Mia in her school uniform, played by Anne Hathaway. The prep school flag with the school lion emblem is in the background hanging from a wall.
The US flag also appears as pattern clothing on Myra in her video. Myra is wearing a jean jacket with a US flag imprint on it, and the stripes of the American flag can be seen on her red shirt. It is only visible for a fraction of second. This is the most original vexillology related item to appear in the music video that is not a clip taken from the Princess Diaries movie.
Limousine flags also appear in the video. This part is directly from the Princess Diaries movie. Note this flag is a vertical tri-bar of green, white, and blue. In the central white area is the national arms of a fictional nation - Genovia
Today we have guest blogger: John Lehman. Vexillologists tend to tilt content towards flag issues. But vexillology is more than just the study of flags. It includes ribbons, badges, logos, trademarks, awards, ceremonial staffs, and even totem poles. And most importantly the subject of heraldry. But most dictionaries and people think vexillology only pertains to the flags, nope, vexillology even includes gangsta' symbols. Without further to a do, presenting...
John Lehman of the Coats & Arms Online Heraldry Database
Intricate and Detailed Coats of Arms from Lehman's website Coadb.com
Online shops that sell “family crests” and coats of arms are a dime
a dozen and are very controversial. Most heraldry wonks do not support
the commercial use of coats of arms because, technically speaking, in
most instances, arms only belong to the individuals to which they were
granted. Unfortunately, the average customer isn’t aware of the
intricacies of heraldry and can be duped into purchasing their “family
crest” printed on t-shirts, mugs, or anything elese from unscrupulous shop owners.
There is one website out there that is different: Coadb.com. As it
name states, it aims to be a database of coats of arms and hopes to have
every arms (millions of them) ever granted to an individual person. It
shows a nice thumbnail of the arms, states what the blazon is, and
states the source of the blazon (ex. Burke’s General Armory or Rietstap’s Armorial General). The arms can also be purchased on
products, but Coadb.com attempts to be more honest with its customers by
telling them that there is no such thing as a family crest and
purchasing the arms does not entitle them to its official use. It also
does not condone the dubious practice of using many spelling variants of
one surname. For example, some websites will take the Lemon Coat of Arms and change the name to Lehman, which insinuates to the customer
that both surnames have the same arms, which is not true. Stores that
utilize this practice are called “bucket shops” and do this to boost
their sales. Coadb.com does not do this.
Further, Coadb.com depicts the crest and supporters, whereas most
other shops only offer the shield. Lastly, Coadb.com makes its arms
available for sale on 85 products, which is more than most other
heraldry shops. Check them out. They only have 8,200 arms, but they add
more each month, and they take requests for surnames!
Cyndi Lauper's Ship with Ankh #3340 circa 1985, Girls Just Want to Have Fun
In 1985 Cyndi Lauper's song Girls Just Want to Have Fun hit the airwaves in the heart of the 1980s. Beating a power vibe of fun, dance, and friendship... like the power of love, this song can take people back to 1985. Its positive uplifting lyrics were enhanced by its creative video, that included everyone and all types of persons at all economic levels.
The most vexillologically significant item is the emblem on the ship. Central emblems on classic sailing ships often functioned like flags. In our case here with Lauper, the emblem is the ancient Egyptian Ankh with five 'stars' above, and a crown on the crest.
Even North America's premiere vexillological journal is entitled The Raven, which is based upon the fact that Vikings first landed on the shores of North America at the first millennium. This makes the Vikings the first, real Millennials. So in objective truth, the current generational cohort of so called Millennials should really be called Second Place Millennials, Bi-Millennials, Di-Millenials or Millennial-Squared? Maybe?
However there is no concrete evidence that a Viking Ship with a raven upon its main sail ever landed on North America. Nonetheless the symbol of the Raven has become the chosen symbol and name of the top scholarly journal of the world dedicated to Vexillology. A fact based upon total speculative fiction.
Not just for girls...as a Bigoted Sexist Gender-nista' would have it! In the video, boys are also empowered to fun and joy under the guidance of Cyndi's special kind of grace. Also note, aliens are included too, as a Conehead with sunglasses appears dancing at the end.
Cyndi's Dots 1985
A final unique and original vexilloid, of sorts, is a camera cover-merge prop that segments the high tech 80s bubble pop graphics to Cyndi watching an old black and white television. The vexilloid has a white background, red poke-a-dots and wooden handle.
A banner behind the bar can be seen. It is white with purple cursive writing.
Sizzrup is kind of a mystery alcoholic drink. Basically it's adult grape flavored alcohol. Something like a Margarita or Long Island Ice Tea but a little more intense. Some people call it plain old 'Stupid Juice.'
Sizzurp is not a brand name, at least not yet. Here the rapper, Cam'Ron, is seen with a Sizzurp shirt written in purple on white. But note the purple sunset in this video just makes so much sense. Nonetheless, this song is a sweet and smooth reboot of a Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Want to Have Fun1985.
In the upper left corner is the flag of the USA on the yacht with the blue cover
As the eyes of the world are forced to turn their attention to Rio, Brazil for the 2016 Olympics, it only makes sense to talk about Duran Duran's 1982 smash hit Rio. No doubt Duran Duran will do a remake of the song, or maybe a hip hop artist will sample bits here and there for a R&B Rio remix dance number? If they don't do this, they really miss the boat. No better yet, have Tay Sway and her gang sing Rio? Or maybe a grunge Pearl Jam version of Rio. No doubt radio will play up this number.
A similar thing happened to Prince when the year 1999 came around with his 1999 song that aired in 1982, along with Rio.
Barely noticeable is the US flag on the yacht in the background. Two other flags can be seen on the main mast of the Rio sailing ship in the background.
Interest in zombies waxes and wanes, currently it is in a sustained full bloom. By the year 2022, the zombie thrill is sure to enter another waning phase. But back in 1982, Michael Jackson made this ugly-yet lovable play with the afterlife a key note in his legacy.
Thriller 1982 was an epic video for its time, as its production value cracked the glass ceiling. But a meeting of art, music, and video put this song and video in the charmed class of Some Where Over the Rainbow epics.
Of vexillological note the livery of Jackson's fictional school can be seen. It is red and gold. The name of the school obviously begins with an M. But we never hear its name. Who knows?
Also the Thriller Marquee is a strange triple edged device that playfully refers to a movie, video, and song.
The US flag makes an appearance in the video Land of Confusion 1986 by Genesis. When a dinosaur makes President Regan sit in a chair and watch TV, various channels are flipped through. During the shot of President Nixon with Checkers, the US flag can be seen being raised.
This video captures the feels of the 1980s in a nutshell. So much would change and so many of the puppet people are now faded into the mist. Still, a classic video.
Something of a small issue has arisen on the township seal of Clayton, New Jersey. It has been accused of being too religious due to the motto including the words "pray" and a Church. But this controversy really is moot. Imagine if your local of state seal featured Pagan Gods? Like Zeus, Pan, or Osiris? Well...the New Jersey state seal and state flag feature Pagan Goddesses: the Goddess Ceres and Goddess Libertas.
Also the state seal and flag of Louisiana features the heraldic Pelican of Christ. The flag and seal of Utah features a Mormon symbol - the beehive. Finally the flag of Hawaii features the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick! Like it or not Christianity is ingrained in American Culture at the very roots. Even the Liberty Bell quotes from the "Original Testament, Leviticus 25:10."
Lucky Aide is the fictional supermarket where Lois works in the television show Malcolm in the Middle. The colours of this corporation are light green, white, and dark green. It features a four leaf clover.
Lois played by Jane Kaczmarek is the no nonsense mom rearing four boys in this television show that was a touchstone television series for the Mighty Ohz, which spans the years from 2000 until 2009. But this show ran from 2000 until 2006.
During the Mighty 00s, one of the keynote defining television shows of this decade was Malcolm in the Middle that aired on the Fox network. When cell phones were as prevalent as cord phones, this sitcom aired from 2000 until 2006. The first time the flag of the USA appears is in the second episode, when Francis is at military school in Alabama.
The US flag appears in the film Cool Hand Luke 1967. Starring Paul Newman, Cool Hand Luke is a classic film made during the Anglo-Saxon Cultural Revolution: when the roles of women and minorities shifted all across the world from England, Africa, Australia, and even in the United States.
The hero of this epic film is a criminal. Rather than dutifully serve his punishment, the film makes the audience root for the criminal, Luke with the Cool Hands. But this movie is more than just a film about punishment and crime. It addresses the social issues and the meaning of life. In many ways it was the forerunner to One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 1975.
The most unique vexilloloid to appear in Cool Hand Luke is the chain-gang "Slow Down Men At Work" sign. It is composed of red fabric with white letters.
Here is the vexilloid, cautioning drivers to slow down as men are working by the side of the road.
The Thailand Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international zone under nominal control of Thailand's Chamber of Commerce.
The Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international area under nominal control of Mexico's Chamber of Commerce.
The Honduras Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international area under nominal control of Honduras's Chamber of Commerce.
The El Salvador Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international area under nominal control of El Salvador's Chamber of Commerce.
The Nicaragua "Black-Water" Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international area under nominal control of Nicaragua's Chamber of Commerce.
The Costa Rica Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international area under the nominal control of Costa Rica's Chamber of Commerce.
The Venezuela Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international area under nominal control of Venezuela's Chamber of Commerce.
The Colombia Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international area under nominal control of Colombia's Chamber of Commerce.
The Ecuador Exclusive Economic Zone flag is a birthright flag for persons born in this international are under nominal control of Ecuador's Chamber of Commerce.
Better Off Dead was perfect 1980s cult classic loaded with campy quotable jokes. It straddled the line of zany 80s comedy yet grounded itself with serious real tough to tackle life issues. Cusack was not a part of the 1980s brat pack, but he surely carried his own weight living on making movies, up into the modern cell phone I-phone age. 
The national seal for Genovia slightly differs for the royal arms. The primary difference is the missing letter 'G'. It can be found on the royal badge, but as for the national flag the arms are missing the special 'G'.
The royal arms of Genovia, the fictional nation in the Princess Diaries 2001 is often used as a badge. A badge is usually a icon or type of arms that is free for use on persons, things, and places under service of the royal member. It can be seen as a badge on the left side of the chest as a badge for the royal staff. It uses the colours red, purple, and yellow. A stylized letter G is in the center. It has two fluer-de-lis in yellow, and purple chevron. On the chevron are two interlaced ringlets of yellow. Below the arms is the motto on a yellow ribbon. 
The most vexillologically significant item is the emblem on the ship. Central emblems on classic sailing ships often functioned like flags. In our case here with Lauper, the emblem is the ancient Egyptian Ankh with five 'stars' above, and a crown on the crest.
A banner behind the bar can be seen. It is white with purple cursive writing.
Sizzrup is kind of a mystery alcoholic drink. Basically it's adult grape flavored alcohol. Something like a Margarita or Long Island Ice Tea but a little more intense. Some people call it plain old 'Stupid Juice.' 
Barely noticeable is the US flag on the yacht in the background. Two other flags can be seen on the main mast of the Rio sailing ship in the background.
