Church Signal Flags from the US Civil War - United Today

The United North & South Church Signal Flag is based upon the two different Church Flags flown by the Southern and Northern Navies during the US Civil War.  The Confederate Navy used a white pennant with a red cross that was upright.  The Northern US Navy also used a white pennant with a blue cross that was horizontal.  In this united version, the upright cross from the Southern Navy is used, however the dominant inner color of the US blue Northern Naval Church flag is apparent, with the red Southern Cross along the outer edges of the cross.

The Church Signal flag for the Confederate Navy was white and red.  Similar to red cross cross, the difference is that the foot of the cross is traditionally longer.

The Church Signal flag of Union forces used blue and white.  The cross was on its side.











Source
http://www.quadibloc.com/other/flaint.htm

Guilded Age US Naval Style SOS Flag

In the early 1900s the US Navy had special SOS flags, intuitively reflective of Morse Code.  Most likely, they were shelved since they all looked a like, unlike the modern ICS Maritime Flags.

Old Morse Code - Error Code Flag

Before WWII the US Navy a special type of Morse Code flags that used the three colours to represent Morse Code.  Red was the DIT, Yellow was the DAH, and blue was the Repeater-Sub that depended on the preceding colour towards the hoist.

Thus using this old US Navy Code a Morse Code Error flag can be represented.  It has eight stripes for the eight DITS of the Error Message.  Since it is only uses DITS red and blue are used. 

The Original US NAVY Morse Code Flags

For a short while the US Navy has a special class of flags dedicated to Morse Code.  Using three colours of red, yellow, or blue; the dits and dahs of Morse Code were distinguished with these flags.

Although they are no longer in use, as the ICS Maritime flags have taken over, they are interesting relics of once official flags.

The dits are represented by the colour red, while dahs are represented by the colour yellow.  Blue is the special colour that can be a dit or a dah.  The rule for blue is that its identity is determined by the preceding colour towards the hoist.  This is on the left in the standard model, but is on the right when looking from the anterior side.

These flags were in limited use during the early 1900s.  Finding one, would be of great value as they are extremely rare.

They are a first of their kind of Tele-morse-graphic flag.  Innately confusing the the eye that is unfamiliar with Morse Code, it was perhaps due to this property, that the ICS flags became the norm for the US NAVY.  Note that ICS flags are often called Morse Code flags, which makes little sense since ICS flags have no direct connection to Morse Code.

These 'Retired US Navy' flags are at their base architecture and design, intimately reflective of Morse Code.  And deserve to be called Morse Code flags more so than ICS flags.

Note that for the letter M the Morse code flag is shifted to horizontal axis.  Obviously this was done to distinguish this flag from the ICS Number 5 flag.  Otherwise, it'd be a confusing situation.  A similar type of confusion still exists with our script between the letters and numbers 1 & l and O and 0.  It is easy to make a mistake as these letters and numbers can be confused.  This is also the case with ICS 5 and K, they are the same pattern and could look the same from a distance, to some extent.

Below is a modern extrapolation of the Old US Naval Code to numbered, Morse Code Pennants.  Although they were never issued in this format, the basic principles of the patter still work.  It was a simple design but since all the flags 'look-a-like' the Morse Code flags were not as effective as the contrasting symbols and colours of ICS standard flags. 

Bald & Bankrupt - May 8th Victory Day in Minsk, Belarus

A unique presentation of flags was filmed by Bald & Bankrupt whist in Minsk, Belarus on May 8th.  May 8th is the Eastern European celebration for the ending of WWII (The Great Patriotic War).  The unique flag display is a dissected Belarusian flag whorl on a pole.  In this display, the tree whorls of the Belarus flag are broken into individual flags.  The top red flag whorl is taken from the main-dominant red field.  The middle green flag whorl is taken from green stripe along the bottom.  Finally the tapestry pattern along the hoist is on the bottom whorl.

If such a dissected patriotic display were to be done with the US flag, there would be two whorls of flags.  The top whole would be a blue field with white stars, and the bottom whole would be a red and white stripes.   Likewise a Canadian dissected flag display would have two whorls.  The bottom whorl would be all red, and the top whorl would be white with a red maple leaf.

Bald and Bankrupt is from the UK and was of the last generation to experience the Cold War.  Like many of that era, the forbidden fruit of Soviet Knowledge has become a curious point of interest.  This type of curiosity is not of the pro-Communist sort, but rather of a deep curiosity and affection for alien cultures and those born on the other side.  This is like the interest in culture and things of the Confederacy in the USA.  There are many people who enjoy learning about the CSA on a cultural level, rather than being a supporter of human oppression.  

Usually former Soviet nations are ignored or portrayed with contempt from the Western Media.  But Bald and Bankrupt has shown the funny and human side of this once vilified segment of the humanity from the West.  Most of his adventures are on the fly.  Not all adventures are all rosy cheeks, and he has run into the stereotype negative Eastern European and tangoed with strict Eastern officials, but more often than not the warmth and natural friendliness of Eastern Europe shines in his vlogs.

A great drinking game is to take a sip each time Bald & Bankrupt says 'Soviet.'  His action Nat-Geo style is true and passionate.

Signal Flags from Andersonville 1996

The flags shown here are from the US Civil War Era.  They are communication Wig-Wag flags that enable one to communicate over long visual distances depending on the way the flags are moved.   This type of coded flag communication was invented by New Yorker, Albert James Myer: born September 20, 1828 - August 24, 1880, and Myer was a US Army Surgeon.

There are two flags visible that are color inverts, the primary flag has red field with a white square and the other flag has a white field with red square.

You can see the aerial telegraphic flag in the distance.  The film is more than just a Civil War film.  It is an exquisite, refined, and mature story based on facts and history.  It is a movie worthy of every American's attention.

The Solid Orange Maritime Start Flag

A solid orange flag is a start signal for most sailing sport.  Rather than just being waved to start the race, the orange flag shows the start line for ships to get ready to sail.  

Snake Rattle and Roll - Dont Tread on Me

As Nintendo 8-bit aged into the 1990s.  New systems were introduced.  But companies continued to make games for the system.  Although the tech was moving to stronger 16-bit processing systems, 8-bit programmers were making better and refined games.  One of the later, senior NES games to roll out on the market was the Snake Rattle and Roll.  It was two player game that was a challenge and wacky mess of fun.  Something like marble madness with chomping snakes and sordid silliness.

Since we have a snake, it deserves a DONT TREAD ON ME flag.  In this case the snake is on the square field patches of grass.

Dont Tread On Me - Dreamscape 1984 Snake-man Monster

Movies about entering dreams is the stuff of Hollywood and Mysticism.  Thank God Science can not crack the code here, otherwise, mankind would be subjected to commercials and paying taxes in the Dreamscape.  The economy and order of law follow different formulas as set by waking reality. Really, in the Dreamscape there is no government, no laws, no police, it is a free zone consciousness that no other man nor woman can create a system of control, or promote their agenda. Or can they?

Before Inception 2010, there was Dreamscape 1984.  There are only ever a few good dream themed movies are made every once and a while.  In one scene a man enters a boy's recurring nightmare about a snake-monster man.   Dennis Quaid helps a young boy face his fears in the oochy-goochy 1980s movie.

Since we have a snake-like being.  It is fitting to include this entity on the DONT TREAD ON ME FLAG.

Dont Tread on Me - The Legend of Zelda's Rope Rattler

The Legend of Zelda was the ultimate 1980s adventure game.  It peaked right around 1985 and is masterpiece of pixelated glory.  Loved my many, it continues to generate a legacy.  Even the original is still a fun challenge for modern day gamers.  I suppose it is something like 1980s music, many songs still hold an enchantment over the younger generations.  However there are plenty of 1980s music and video games are are perpendicular that should be kept back in 1985.

Zelda had an enemy called the Rope, which was a snake.  Kind of a weird name for a snake, but a snake is shaped like a rope?  Maybe even a wire?  Good thing they didn't call them a pipe

Guadelopue-Hidalgo Repblic Flag - a cultural flag for the West Coast of USA

Blessings and providence are chruchy terms that carry that certain Truthiness.  In 1531 a certain kind of miracle occurred in Mexico, New Spain.  The Virgin Mary was reported to have appeared to a humble John the Diego, also known as Juan Diego.  The appearance of the Virgin Mary to Mr. Diego in 1531 became epic when roses given by the apparition placed in his pancho-like-snuggie miraculously turned into the image of the Virgin Mary, which formed into Our Lady of Guadelupe in front of the Bishop of New Spain, Mexico and staff members.

By providence, the name of the Treaty that brought everlasting peace between Mexico and the United States was the 1848 Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo.  This treaty saw that nearly half of Mexico was destined for the United States.

This flag can be flown over any region of the US that was apart of the Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo.  The flag is based upon the modern California flag.  Instead of a grizzly bear, we have the Our Mother of Guadelupe and the background is taken from the coat of arms from the Mexican state of Hidalgo.   Thus the background, bell, and liberty cap represent Hidalgo, while the impression of Our Mother of Guadelupe is eponymous with Guadelupe.

This is kind of fun flag, that can be used to teach and connect Aztec-Mexican culture to American cultures.  Although grounded to Catholic culture, the image of Guadelupe is renowned by all of Spanish speaking Latin America, since this miracle happened during the 1513, which was 300 years before any of the Spanish Speaking states were considering independence.

And don't get Guadelupe confused with Guadeloupe.  The one with extra letter O refers to a French speaking island in the Caribbean. 

Retro Todd's California Republic Flag - Photo from 1890

The flag for the State of California is the kind of flag an artist can have fun with.  On this blog numerous bears from pop-culture have replaced the bear on the official state flag.  Most of the time, it was done here first, and later, other blogs would follow in the wake to catch up and copy.  The flags done with Q*Bert were the original sun-mods that were later followed.  Likewise, this blog was first to put up Science Bear for the Element of Californium.

However this California flag is a Retro-Trutro type of flag that takes the original bear from the Bear Flag Revolt and uses it as the bear.

Likewise, you have to take the other side into account so we have Retro-Redo of the original flag with a the modern official bear.  Enjoy!

Medusa - Clash of the Titans 1981: Dont Tread on Me Flag

One of the grandest effects of movie making was stop animation.  Perhaps the King of Stop Animation was Ray Harryhausen, a true Golden State Warrior from Los Angeles California, who was born about 100 years ago, on June 29, 1920.  Harryhausen added that American charm in cinema and became of Key Note of the classic 1950s sci-fi.  His last major project as the lead imagineer in Hollywood was in 1981 with Clash of the Titans.  His animated Medusa was from another world and would haunt the imaginations of Generation-X.

In honor of this masterful sculptor, we have the Medusa Gadsden flag.  There is also a Greeklish translation that which you can find here reads Όχι Πάτημα Επί Μου which you can find here.

The Mark of the Beast - A Rainbow from the 1980s?

The rainbow is a powerful and naturally awe inspiring natural phenomenon.  But depending on the context they can have several connotations.  In the world of video games it became of polarizing symbol during the 1980s.  Two software (app makers) companies used the rainbow in the 1980s and created a full spectrum of emotions that can be associated with this natural icon as it was in the 1980s video games: from boredom, anger, revulsion, frustration, mild amusement, nostalgia, joy, and love. 

First with the Atari entertainment system, ACTIVISION used the rainbow in their original logo.  It was a straight rainbow of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue fimbrated with white lines between the colours. Whenever one saw the ACTIVISION rainbow, it was sign of trust, and chances were you were getting a quality game worth every dime.  However in the latter 1980s another company chose this lovely symbol — Ljn.  Within the context of Ljn, the rainbow became a repugnant symbol and laughing stock of the 1980s.  Chances are you were getting a second rate, disconnected, low quality experience.  The Ljn rainbow was curved, but it was a backwards, the upper rainbow—the top band was violet and the lower was red—without the fimbration.

The quality of work between Ljn and ACTIVISION is tied to their origin stories.  ACTIVISION was formed by maverick Atari programmers who were sick and tired of corporate bean counters running the show, who knew little of game design or tapped into the core joy of the product and treated the staff like disposable pieces of trash.  Rather these talented code writers, took the big risk of running their own company.  The result was a slew of game changers that rocked the market. The foremost example being Pitfall!  that generated the most original and iconic hero of the Atari Age, Pitfall Harry.  Pitfall Harry was the literal forerunner to Mario and Luigi.   Nine times out of ten, when you unpacked an ACTIVISION game that straight rainbow became a testament of these justly righteous souls.

After the Atari Age ended, the Nintendo Age took over.  The idea of adapting popular movies to videogames was still something Hollywood suits still couldn't wrap their head around.  A video game based upon Jim Henson's 1986 Labyrith?  Who would want such a thing?   There were so many action movies that missed out on a video game tie through the 1980s and 1990s.  However one snarky salesman from Ljn. was able to gobble up all the movie rights and turn a quick profit of the short sighted design.  His motto seemed to be Kids are Stupid and will buy anything with the "subject logo."  

Ljn. was able to snap up the rights for video games and make a quick profit.  Instead of employing talented game designers to make awesome games, Ljn created less than inspiring games that ran on name recognition.   Subsequently Nintedo's Back to the Future, the X-Men, and Bill and Ted were destined to have way, not cool, mis-adventures into waste-o-timeland.  Back then, there was no internet to rate games, and the magazines that did were all shill five 'n dime outfits that had to give good reviews to maintain insider access.  However, Hollywood could not yet see the big picture and saw video games as.... kids stuff.  But today, any suit will recognize that video games haul in more cold hard cash that most movies, nowadays.   Back then, the studios sold out to Ljn just because of the Ljn's short sighted businessen plan.

Imagine if Hollywood would have sold the rights to Back to Future to Konami or Capcom?  The extra schwag and rights generated from those games today could still be turning a profit. No doubt a Bill and Ted 1980s Nintedo Game by Konami would have been beyond awesome, and not to mention very profitable.

But no, the suits went with what they knew and they all seemed to know Ljn because some joker of slick salesman made quick promises and had a safe established track record. Getting input from the fans is always wise idea, but history loves to repeat itself.  And big corporations often get a big ego and end up with expert group think, that thinks they know better.  Perhaps the middle road if the best.  Listen to the experts and listen to the people.

Thus today, if you lived through the Ljn and Atari periods those rainbows conjure up two different feelings.  The Ljn rainbow is the bane of Nintendo, that fills the soul of why!?  Why God? How do these turds of such missed potential rise to the surface.  On the other hand, Activision conjures up lovely sparkles of memory that carry on today.  Even deeper, it is a blessing that Ljn was able to create such crappy games, consequently this electrion manure became the fodder that allowed the AVGN to bloom and create content of wisdom.  Thus with any curse they is a silver lining, which is only visible years afterwards. 

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #9—Code "Kokono" 最初の9の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「ここの」

The Japanese Maritime Flag for the Number Nine composed of three colours: blue, white, and red.  A white diagonal tilted from the bottom to the top, near the hoist to fly is white.  This white bottom-top diagonal separates a blue triangular field on the hoist and red triangular field on the fly.

 This is page taken from a Japanese Signal flag book.  Japanese Auxiliary Number Flags were used in combination with International Maritime Flags.

The codes with Kokono are highlighted.

 Below is an image of the Signal Flag Cache from the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces.

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #8—Code "Hachi" 最初の8の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「はち」

The Japanese Maritime Flag for Eight is basically an inverse of Foxtrot.  The center square diamond is white instead of red, and the corners are red instead of white.

Many Americans will recognize the word 'Hachi' from Hachi a Dog's Tale 2009 that starred Richard Gere.  Hachi the dog is based upon a true story in Japan, but in this film it has been adapted for American Audiences.  Hachi means eight in Japanese.

In this story, a dog shows it unending devotion for its master who passes a away.  People were so inspired that it has generated a movie.  In weird way Hachi the dog is a Reverse Old Yeller story from Japan.  With the story of Hachi, it is the human that passes, and the orphaned dog becomes a beacon of love and loyalty.


Neat coincidence (or mark of Providence) is that Hachi (the number eight) is lucky-magic number in the East: that includes Japan, China, and Tibet.  The number 8 (HACHI) is associated with Buddhism due to 8 Fold Noble Path as decreed by the Original Buddha from India.  In the West there is the 10 Commandments, but in the East there is the 8 Fold Noble Path.

As was fated, Richard Gere is a Buddhist who was lucky enough to meet the Dali Lama and later make a film based in Japan, which is primarily Buddhist.

Eight is doubly important in Folk Mysticism of Ancient China, with the Legendary Eight Immortal Spirits who transcend time. 

No small wonder since 8 is the reflective of the Infinite Power of Consciousness-Universe, from a certain point of view; when you tilt your head.  Bottom line is, the Power of Love is Infinite....

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #7—Code "Nana" 最初の7の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「なな」

The Japanese Maritime Flag for Seven has two diagonals and two triangular ends and consists of three colours: red, yellow, and blue.  In the upper hoist corner is the red triangle and in the lower fly is a yellow triangle.  In between these corners are two stripes is a yellow then blue stripe.  All the divisions follow a dexter bend, with the blue bend separating the two yellow parts.

The Japanese do not have short or odd vowels, so when saying words in 'English-Latin' script the letters are pronounced phonetically.  Forexample, the word Nana なな both Na's are the same.  English has tendency to make each vowels sound different as in the word Banana (as the middle a has a different a sound, unless you area Minion from Dreamworks).

 Several days after scouring the internet  a real flag of the unique Japanese Auxiliary Naval signal number flag was found.  After going to Yahoo! instead of Google, was I able to find this artifact.  And it is for sale; apparently it was used in combat during WWII.

Here is a close up of the tag, that indicates it is indeed an Imperial Japanese Navy Signal flag. There is red ink that has Japanese Kanji upon it with other symbols that are hard to decipher.


Source of Image
http://www.wwiidaggers.com/33997.htm






    

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #6—Code "Roku" 最初の6の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「ろく」

The Roku or ろく is the Japanese Maritime Flag for the Number Six.  It has a white field with red dexter bend.

The Number 6 Auxiliary Japanese Naval flag is visible with the cover art of this model, Yamato model ship.  It is the flag in between Juliette and Golf. 

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #5—Code "Go" 最初の5の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「ご」

The Japanese Maritime Flag for the Number 5 is the inverse of Romeo.  It has yellow field with red cross.

Note that IJN #5 Aux Flag is the inverse of the Romeo-R ICS flag.

You can see the Go flag in use with IJN Coded Signals.  The Imperial Japanese Navy Auxiliary Number flags were used International Maritime Flags in the Japanese Navy.

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #4—Code "Yon" 最初の4の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「よん」

The Japanese Maritime four flag has four blue dots, which any civilization can recognizes as a good representation of the number four.















The Imperial Naval Signal flags are a rarity of a flags.  They mostly live on in the memory of history books. 

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #3—Code "San" 最初の3の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「さん」

The Japanese number 3 three is basically an echo of the Kanji - Chinese Character - for the number three.  The Kanji for three consists of three horizontal stripes.

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #2—Code "Futa" 最初の2の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「ふた」

The Japanese Naval signal flag for the number 2 is called Futa ふた.  The design of the flag has a blue field with two yellow rectangles along in the middle of the flag near the fly and hoist.

 The unique Japanese auxiliary number flags were used with international maritime flags.  Recently in an Anime series about female sailors, the Aux #2 flag has appeared leading with X-Ray and India for a code of 2XI.

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #1—Code "Hito" 最初の1の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「ひと」

There are several types of maritime flags to represent the number one.  Most famously the International Maritime standard uses a flag that looks like the national flag of Japan.  However it is a pennant and the red disc is off center towards the hoist.

NATO has number one flag that looks like the of Spain; because it is a horizontal tribar of red, yellow, red.  Thus its nickname is 'UNO'.

Russia oddly uses the International Maritime flag in a different way for its numbers.  The Alpha flag is the number one flag for Russian allied fleets.  Luckily Alpha is also the first letter of the alphabet, so it makes sense.

But the Japanese Navy has created unique flags.  Their flags have an International Maritime feel, but they are unique to Japan.

The Number 1 flag of Japanese Naval forces has a white background with blue diagonal stripe from the lower hoist to the upper fly (a dexter bend).  In a what the Japanese flag is very effective since the single blue line is a unique flag even among national flags and reflects the single line of one, as it is used in Western and Chinese symbols.  The Indo-Arabic-Western number for one in a single vertical line, while the Eastern symbol for one is single horizontal line.

Japanese Naval Signal Flag #0—Code "Rei" 最初の0の日本の海軍艦隊信号-名前「れい」

The Japanese Maritime Zero Flag uses the colours blue and white.  It has the pattern of the Zulu flag but in the hoist and fly triangles is blue, while on the chief and compartment triangles it is white.

The Japanese Auxiliary Zero Flag make intuitive sense, more so than the International Maritime Flag.  Firstly, the empty hourglass shape indicates that time is up—it has reached the zero hour.  You can imagine that the blue triangles on the hoist and fly are ocean or sky.  Likewise Zero Flag follows the shape-pattern of the Zulu flag.  Thus Zero and Zulu combine for a unique flag.

 You can see the Zulu and Zero flag with Lima in the first upper left hand column.  On the right page you can see the codes that all begin with Rei.