Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
UK Flag Institute Spring Meeting 2010: Part XII
Canadian Flag before 1965
I was privileged to give the last presentation at the 2010, UK Flag Institute Spring meeting. It was entitled 'Flag Symmetry' with a sharp focus on the flags connected to the UK.
The first part of the discussion focused on the flags of Canada. Although Canada is a mosaic of humanity, multi-cultural and multi-lingual nation nearly all the provincial flags exhibit a strong connectivity to the United Kingdom. England's flag, that of St. George is explicitly repeated three times on three provinces and one territory.
Canadian States with St. George's Cross
CLICK PICTURE FOR CLEARER IMAGE(note that Yukon has a blue-white heraldic squirrel disc on top)
The UK flag make
s three appearances on three provincial flags. Additionally the flag of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador have flags based on the flag of Scotland. Finally, two flags have the heraldic lion of English Royalty.A long standing issue within Canada has been to find a balance in between their British Heritage and Canadian Identity that is also distinct from south of border. Since the flag change in 1965, Canadian culture has made leaps and bounds. However the provincial flags of Canada are iconic testaments that echo one of the fundamental core cultural identities of Canada, the UK.
You can see a video I made about Canadian flag symmetry on youtube. It's a music video set to RUSH live playing the Spirit of Radio, Here!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
UK Flag Institute Spring Meeting 2010: Part XI
Czech Vexillological Society Flag
The eleventh speaker was our second guest from the Czech Republic, Jaroslav Martykan. Martykan is one of the founding members of the Czech Vexillological Society and specializes in community, municipal, and sporting flags. His presentation was entitled the Regional flags of Bohemia.
A white lion on a red background is the symbol of the Czech nation. Once again Martykan echoed that the US flag code is a valued resource in flag etiquette. One thing I found interesting is that in the German Communities within Czech prefer to fly local community flags rather than the Czech flag.
Regional Flag of Plezen
One regional flag that piqued interest was that of Plezen Region. Plezen is on south-western boarder of Czech next to Bavaria. In the upper right panel has a yellow camel facing towards the fly. Usually camels and Europe are hardly associated with each other. But during the medieval times a camel was brought to Czech area and made a deep impact on the Plezen Community.
North Bohemia
Here are the flags of the original bohemian people who have serendipitously become associated with being 'Bohemian.' I suppose South Bohemia is more bohemian since it has more colours?
When the flag of both Bohemias are United, the elements of earth, air, fire, and water can be seen. The flag of North Bohemia has the black fire eagle, water with waves (wind). While the flag of
South Bohemia has a castle made from earth via stone, a flower that is of the earth, and the earthy colours of green and yellow.
The eleventh speaker was our second guest from the Czech Republic, Jaroslav Martykan. Martykan is one of the founding members of the Czech Vexillological Society and specializes in community, municipal, and sporting flags. His presentation was entitled the Regional flags of Bohemia.The White Lion
Symbolizes the Czech
Symbolizes the Czech
A white lion on a red background is the symbol of the Czech nation. Once again Martykan echoed that the US flag code is a valued resource in flag etiquette. One thing I found interesting is that in the German Communities within Czech prefer to fly local community flags rather than the Czech flag.
Regional Flag of Plezen
One regional flag that piqued interest was that of Plezen Region. Plezen is on south-western boarder of Czech next to Bavaria. In the upper right panel has a yellow camel facing towards the fly. Usually camels and Europe are hardly associated with each other. But during the medieval times a camel was brought to Czech area and made a deep impact on the Plezen Community.
North Bohemia
Here are the flags of the original bohemian people who have serendipitously become associated with being 'Bohemian.' I suppose South Bohemia is more bohemian since it has more colours?
When the flag of both Bohemias are United, the elements of earth, air, fire, and water can be seen. The flag of North Bohemia has the black fire eagle, water with waves (wind). While the flag of
South Bohemia has a castle made from earth via stone, a flower that is of the earth, and the earthy colours of green and yellow.South Bohemia
Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day 2010
US FLAG at Beginning of Civil War
At FT SUMTER 1861
Memorial Day was a holiday born in the tragic wake of the US Civil War. The flag you see to the right is the Fort Sumter flag that had a very interesting and distinguished look.
During this war the North would fly three official versions with a different number of stars. The US flag was christened with 34 stars with Kansas, 35 with West Virgina, and 36 with Nevada. All three states were divided geographically by the Mason Dixon Line.
An interesting event that takes place ever Memorial Day is the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This greatest race in motor sports was dedicated to the Civil War. Coincidentally the modern beltway around Indianapolis straddles the Mason-Dixon line, I-465, the traditional cultural divide between the North and South.
There is an ongoing debate on what to call this war. Some historians refer to it as the War Between the States, which was literally true for the Northern States at 100% equal latitude with Europe and Southern States at 100% equal latitude with Africa. However of states that were eye to eye with both Europe and Africa (by latitude) it can be called the War Between the Counties.
Coincidentally the presidents who led their respective nations in war both came from Kentucky. Lincoln was born in a county at a purely European latitude, Hardin County on the boarder of Indiana. While Jefferson Davis was born in a county that shares a latitude with Africa, Christian County on the border of Tennessee. Thus from Lincoln and Davis' points of view it literally was, a War Between the Counties as it was for many families who lived in boarder states along the 38th parallel. Although Kentucky is completely below the Mason-Dixon line she is cut by the 38th parallel.
Nearly 101 years later another civil war would bring our civilization to the brink of Nuclear War, the Korean Civil War. It was the last major Earth War before the advent of the space age in 1957. The common element between this US Civil War of 1861 and Korean Civil War of 1951 was the 38th parallel north. After Japan was defeated in WWII, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel north.
Generally in American memory the mention of the Korean War almost instantly causes most people over the age of 35 to recall the TV series M*A*S*H, and a footnote that the series ironically lasted longer than the Korean War.
Flag of North Korea
The Korean War was a
proverbial conflict of the North versus the South or brother versus brother. However in one perspective it was also a War Between the Nations or rather a Global Civil War. The wounds of this conflict still linger. Last year I was fortunate enough to visit the DMZ and sensed a deep sadness, that is buried deep in Korean Consciousness. Koreans have a tendency to hide their emotions and often have difficulty expressing hard emotions. Even though things were warming up between the North and South, there was an untapped sadness in the air that seemed to lurk in the background and melted my heart in a still yet understood necessary melancholy. I suppose only patience, love, and gratitude may undo the emotional knots that have festered for so long in the dark.
As for my flag symmetry idea I have bonded North Korea with the capital Flag of Malaysia. Their parallel colours are red, white, and blue in horizontal patterns. A national flag bonding with a sub-national flag kinda' breaks the rules. This does not happen often, but weren't rules were meant to be broken? Especially when its time has come.
Korean people like Malaysian people have been divided by greater powers that be. The Malay people were divided by Europe in the colonial age. The Northern Malays became Malaysians were colonized by the British, while the Southern Malay's were adopted by the Dutch became Indonesians. Indonesians and Malays are of the same ethnic family, speak the same language, and are mostly Sunni Muslims. But since the Malay people were divided before an awareness of Malay Nationalism, there was no need to unite into a super ethnic Malay State.
Indonesia has many other nationalities but the majority core power ethnic belongs to the Malay-Indonesians, likewise Malaysia is also a diverse nation with strong presence of non-Malay Malaysians, mostly from China and India. Malaysia and North Korea are at the north and south ends of East Asia, nominally they are people who fit the Mongol-Chinese phenotype yet their faiths or rather philosophy to life goes against the dominant grain of American thinking: Marxism and Islam.
Korean Nationalism had already formed when powers that be divided the peninsula. Unfortunately Korean opinion in the matter, was hardly consulted. It was fated that the North was to be allied with the USSR while the South was to be allied with the USA. Koreans were destined to bear the brunt of Cold War political tensions. The hatred of the left and right wings of the Western World were shoved down the throat Korea and would continual seethe unto this day.
Like the border states of the US Civil War that crossed the 38th parallel, Korea was destined to fall under the dreadful curse and paradoxically hopeful blessing of civil war. Just as the US border states along the 38th carried the heaviest emotional scar of Civil War for a Nation, Korea too would carry the most burdensome bounty of the Cold War for our World.
The North Korean flag like the Confederate flag are important and fundamental echos of our collective past and present, of a tragic past that should not be feared nor forgotten. Of the present they offer insight of the tragic yet hopeful drama of our people. These flags should be properly respected given their just duties.
At FT SUMTER 1861
Memorial Day was a holiday born in the tragic wake of the US Civil War. The flag you see to the right is the Fort Sumter flag that had a very interesting and distinguished look.
During this war the North would fly three official versions with a different number of stars. The US flag was christened with 34 stars with Kansas, 35 with West Virgina, and 36 with Nevada. All three states were divided geographically by the Mason Dixon Line.
An interesting event that takes place ever Memorial Day is the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This greatest race in motor sports was dedicated to the Civil War. Coincidentally the modern beltway around Indianapolis straddles the Mason-Dixon line, I-465, the traditional cultural divide between the North and South.
There is an ongoing debate on what to call this war. Some historians refer to it as the War Between the States, which was literally true for the Northern States at 100% equal latitude with Europe and Southern States at 100% equal latitude with Africa. However of states that were eye to eye with both Europe and Africa (by latitude) it can be called the War Between the Counties.
Coincidentally the presidents who led their respective nations in war both came from Kentucky. Lincoln was born in a county at a purely European latitude, Hardin County on the boarder of Indiana. While Jefferson Davis was born in a county that shares a latitude with Africa, Christian County on the border of Tennessee. Thus from Lincoln and Davis' points of view it literally was, a War Between the Counties as it was for many families who lived in boarder states along the 38th parallel. Although Kentucky is completely below the Mason-Dixon line she is cut by the 38th parallel.
Nearly 101 years later another civil war would bring our civilization to the brink of Nuclear War, the Korean Civil War. It was the last major Earth War before the advent of the space age in 1957. The common element between this US Civil War of 1861 and Korean Civil War of 1951 was the 38th parallel north. After Japan was defeated in WWII, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel north.
Generally in American memory the mention of the Korean War almost instantly causes most people over the age of 35 to recall the TV series M*A*S*H, and a footnote that the series ironically lasted longer than the Korean War.
Flag of North Korea
The Korean War was a
proverbial conflict of the North versus the South or brother versus brother. However in one perspective it was also a War Between the Nations or rather a Global Civil War. The wounds of this conflict still linger. Last year I was fortunate enough to visit the DMZ and sensed a deep sadness, that is buried deep in Korean Consciousness. Koreans have a tendency to hide their emotions and often have difficulty expressing hard emotions. Even though things were warming up between the North and South, there was an untapped sadness in the air that seemed to lurk in the background and melted my heart in a still yet understood necessary melancholy. I suppose only patience, love, and gratitude may undo the emotional knots that have festered for so long in the dark.As for my flag symmetry idea I have bonded North Korea with the capital Flag of Malaysia. Their parallel colours are red, white, and blue in horizontal patterns. A national flag bonding with a sub-national flag kinda' breaks the rules. This does not happen often, but weren't rules were meant to be broken? Especially when its time has come.
Flag of Malaysia's Capital District
Korean people like Malaysian people have been divided by greater powers that be. The Malay people were divided by Europe in the colonial age. The Northern Malays became Malaysians were colonized by the British, while the Southern Malay's were adopted by the Dutch became Indonesians. Indonesians and Malays are of the same ethnic family, speak the same language, and are mostly Sunni Muslims. But since the Malay people were divided before an awareness of Malay Nationalism, there was no need to unite into a super ethnic Malay State.
Indonesia has many other nationalities but the majority core power ethnic belongs to the Malay-Indonesians, likewise Malaysia is also a diverse nation with strong presence of non-Malay Malaysians, mostly from China and India. Malaysia and North Korea are at the north and south ends of East Asia, nominally they are people who fit the Mongol-Chinese phenotype yet their faiths or rather philosophy to life goes against the dominant grain of American thinking: Marxism and Islam.
Korean Nationalism had already formed when powers that be divided the peninsula. Unfortunately Korean opinion in the matter, was hardly consulted. It was fated that the North was to be allied with the USSR while the South was to be allied with the USA. Koreans were destined to bear the brunt of Cold War political tensions. The hatred of the left and right wings of the Western World were shoved down the throat Korea and would continual seethe unto this day.
Like the border states of the US Civil War that crossed the 38th parallel, Korea was destined to fall under the dreadful curse and paradoxically hopeful blessing of civil war. Just as the US border states along the 38th carried the heaviest emotional scar of Civil War for a Nation, Korea too would carry the most burdensome bounty of the Cold War for our World.
Confederate Flag at Surrender
1865
1865
The North Korean flag like the Confederate flag are important and fundamental echos of our collective past and present, of a tragic past that should not be feared nor forgotten. Of the present they offer insight of the tragic yet hopeful drama of our people. These flags should be properly respected given their just duties.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
UK Flag Institute Spring Meeting 2010: Part X
Alai
n Raullet is a veteran vexillologist and founder of the Brittany Flag Association. Raullet gave a colourful presentation about his activities to promote and expand vexillology with the public. It was entitled Voices of Vexillology. Currently Raullet is the most broadcasted vexillologist in the world. Raullet has a set radio program in French, on a Christian radio station. Another activity for Vexillologists, Raullet explained, is to have community flag displays and promote children's design flag contests.
Alain also spiced up his presentation with humour via random slides of Mr. Bean, yawing people, women in sexy tights, and a ski jumping sumo wrestler. Raullet closed his presentation with an audio recording of his vexillology broadcast on French radio.
Painting By Leonardo da Vinci Lady with Ermine 1490ish
The current popular flag of Brittany is similar to the design of the United States, but instead of stars it has stylized ermine fur skins. The ermine is a type of miniature weasel. The US/Greek design was made by Morvan Marchel in 1923. There is an earlier Breton flag called the Kroaz-Du, which is a black cross on a field of white.
If they ever make a film about Brittany in medieval times fighting for freedom, they can not use the Marchel Flag. The men and women who fought and died for Brittany used a version that more closely resembled the Kroaz-Du, the true blood stained flag of historic Brittany.
As for my flag symmetry idea I have partnered it up with the flag of Cornwall, which is a white cross on a background of black. These two flags exhibit 'Gamma Flag Symmetry' which is an inverse of colours with matching designs. Furthermore both Brittany and Cornwall are the outer members of the Celtic family of nations. Probably the most popular purveyor of things Celtic are the Irish, followed by the Scottish. The Welsh are in the middle, followed by the Cornish and Bretons.
Flag of Cornwall in UK
Flag of Brittany in France
Brittany and Cornwall are semi-official Celtic nations, long hidden in the background of England and France. Fate has shuffled them to peninsulas on the west ends of the English Channel. They are ancient Celtic cousins separated by the twisting hand of history. One tied to the UK the other France. It is fateful grace that their banners reflect their parallel coastlines.
LE ERMINE:
The petite white weasel with a bit of black
Learn about Brittany's Pride and Flag Here
Saturday, May 29, 2010
UK Flag Institute Spring Meeting 2010: Part IX
The speaker for the ninth presentation was Dr. Vladimir Liscak of the Czech Republic. Dr. Vladimir is the head of the Department of East Asian Studies at the Oriental Institute of the Academy of Sciences and a member of the Czech Vexillological Society. His paper was entitled Early flags of China: Designs and Symbolism.
Dr. Valdimir gave us a short history of flags in China. Apparently China can lay claim to the oldest flags that used textiles. The various wars in ancient China required an effective use of flags on the battle field. The oldest flag poles in China almost always had a trident on top.
Although the US Flag Code may be the most popular reference in flag protocol, China may have the oldest flag code in text called the Rites of Zhou, which give strict flag guidelines and usage. The only contender to have an older book is Ancient Egypt, if only a flag protocol scroll is ever discovered.
Like in the west with heraldry flags were a phenomena primarily used by the high nobility.
You can visit the Czech Vexillological Society Here
Friday, May 28, 2010
UK Flag Institute Spring Meeting 2010: Part VIII
The Flag of the Incas, by Gustav Tracchia first Vice President of NAVA was the eighth presentation. This talk centered on the genesis of the rainbow flags of South America and their associated connection with Native Culture.
Like a splendid story teller Gus started the presentation with a background history of the Inca Empire. First he made a distinction in the common misuse of the word Inca. Inca is not the real name of the Empire, Inca actually refers to the title for the leader of the people.
Imagine if in 4000 years a technologically advanced civilization lands in the United States and people from the future refer to the USA as the President of Democracy. It would sound a little funny to us now. A teacher would say, "Less than 60 years after the Present of Democracy built the first airplane the Presidents broke the sound barrier."
Rainbow Flag of Cuzco
A more accurate name
is Tawantinsuyu which can be translated as the Four United States or Four United Provinces (F.U.S. or F.U.P.). Anyways this Empire of Four States was united literally by string, called keepu. They didn't have a written language but an amazing system of string knots to keep track of social business.Essentially the rainbow flag is based upon foggy memories of Spanish record keepers. Much of Inca civilization was condemned and oppressed when the Spanish Conquistadors arrived. It was only after wards that a primitive anthropological survey of the Native Culture was done by Spanish Priests. In this process in an interview with a Native South American it was recorded that the 'Celestial Arch' was an important symbol for the Inca (Tawantisuyu).
Wiphala Flag of Bolivia
Since the Tawa
ntisuyu Empire once stood in Peru and Bolivia they have used a priest's testimonial as the source and inspiration for several rainbow flags. However there apparently was no drawing or further description of this assumed rainbow flag or vexilloid. In Bolivia a flag called the Wiphala has become a symbol of the nation. Also in the nation of Peru, the city Cuzco uses a rainbow flag.You Can Visit NAVA Here (North American Vexillological Association)
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