The Voice of Vexillology, Flags & Heraldry

Sunday, February 19, 2012

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...

------------------------------------------------------------------
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/

Saturday, February 18, 2012

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.

Friday, February 17, 2012

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.