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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Annin Flag Company

Annin Flag Company is one of the oldest and largest flag companies based in the United States. Manufacturing flags since 1847, based in New York. Flags from this company have flown during the US Civil War, Great London Exhibition of 1851, inauguration and burial of President Lincoln. Recently Annin was one of the few selected companies chosen to fly a flag on for the Apollo 11 mission.


link to company website
http://www.annin.com/

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Phils Green "Go for It" flag - Hercules 1997

Philoctetes with "Green Go for it!" Flag
Disney Studios 1997

In 1997 Disney released a modern tale about the epic story of Hercules. Before he becomes a hero, Hercules is sent for training under the watchful guidance of Philoctetes, better known as Phil. Phil is a Satyr, man up top and goat on the bottom.

Here Hercules is about to run his final test before he can set himself on his quest to become a true hero. To the right of Hercules is Pegasus and Phil to his left with the "Green Go for it" flag.

The Satyr Green Go for It Flag

The "Green Go for it Flag" is composed of four colours - three shades of green and black. The main field is composed of light green. Along the top and bottom are two green stripes, and along the fly is a dark olive green colour. The olive green section is a full horizontal stripe of the same length as the vertical stripes. There is also a portion that extends slightly into the middle with a geometric design.




Friday, February 24, 2012

12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Rueben and Dan, part 6

The final segment in the 12 Tribes of Israel string. The Tribe of Dan the Snake is aligned to the Tribe of the Mandrake - Rueben. Snakes and a 'magical' root? Snakes and hallucinogenic plants certainly have seductive and dangerous elements that rouse our curiosity. But in the wrong hands, it can lead to big trouble. This post is a poem, so enjoy! Who said poetry in American is dead?

Part VI - Dan and Reuben

Dan is represented by the fearful Snake
House of Slytherin Arms from the Harry Potter Universe

Mandrake and the snake are the final pair. Something of magic, like a white hare. Twelve tribes in all, are matched in this cosmic electronic fair hall.

Together we see Reuben and Dan, represented by a snake and the mandrake. Sometimes Reuben is water or a man, it makes no difference to the younger Dan. Dan is a judge, whom can smell false fudge. So be warned do not cheat, or your horse may be bitten at its feet.

Reuben to the north, who belittled his father's worth is balanced with Dan. Whom stands towards the south and can, watch every word to come out of your mouth. If deception is your perception, you will hear him hiss and then you will feel a sweet bitter kiss.

The mandrake can cast an enchanting spell, a warning to tell, it can also make you regrettably unwell. Often considered a witches brew, yet it can make two people come together like glue. As you can see, it was a lover's potion, for it set into motion, the expansion of a great family tree.

The Mysterious Mandrake
is an emblem for the House of Rueben
Mandrakes as depicted in Harry Potter Land

Don't be scared or petrified, there is no need to run and hide. Like a gentle dove, kindness and love will rescue all from above.


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link to part 1 (Aslan & White Fang)
link to part 6 & 1/2 (What about Levi, Joseph and the other symbols?)

Thursday, February 23, 2012

12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Simeon and Manasseh, part 5

At least now in 2012, when you do an Internet search on the emblems for the 12 Tribes of Israel, it's not all that consistent. Almost every tribe has at least two and sometimes more distinct and differing icons. Furthermore different tribes are listed, due to the substitution of Joseph's two half tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, which usually put out Levi and Joseph. On top of that, their listing in the holy texts are inconsistent. There are actually 14 names which can make up the 12 Tribes of Israel. Sometimes Manasseh is listed twice as East and West Manasseh. Consequently this has led to wee bit of diversity.

Part V - Simeon & Manasseh

Flag of Astrakhan
used here to show sword emblem of Simeon

It is the less popular emblems of Simeon and Manasseh that align with a harmonious design, the sword and arrows. Ancient yet modern weapons known to all the ancient kingdoms of earth put a certain kind of gravity between the tribe of Simeon and the tribe of Manasseh.

In many portrayals of the Twelve Tribes of Israel the other emblem associated with Simeon is a castle gate or tower. The castle in particular is thought to be at the City of Shechem. Sword or castle? Which is correct? It all depends on ones point of view. Nonetheless the union of the sword with arrow is an appropriate militaristic match of self defense.

The totem of the sword like the other emblems arise during their final blessings from father Jacob, who chastises Simeon for the cruel and deadly use of weapons. The totem of the castle is based on later chapters. Although the symbol of a castle may be a popular symbol for Simeon, his association with weapons comes much earlier.

The two grandsons of Joseph - Manasseh and Ephraim - are blessed as being as a son rather than a grandson to Jacob. Meaning that the blessings given to Joesph pass on to his sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Coincidentally the promotion of Joseph's sons as brothers equal to their paternal uncles Reuben and Simeon, happen right before Jacob blesses the twelve founding fathers of Israel. Jacob also specifies that he is giving Shechem to Joseph and not his brothers with his sword and bow.

Flag of Adygea
used here to show arrow emblem of Manasseh

In any case a bundle of arrows have become one of the many emblems associated with Manasseh. It's beyond me to say where and when this happened. Suffice it to say its been forgotten in the sands of time.




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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Asher and Ephraim, part 4

Each tribe within the Twelve Tribes of Israel has a totem, but some tribes have more than one. It's like in the Western Zodiac since some people refer to Capricorn as a goat while others picture Capricorn as a mermaid goat. Which is correct? I suppose it's in the eye of the beholder. The emblems for the 12 tribes of Israel arose in the wake of Jacob's final blessing to his sons, who became the twelve founding fathers of Israel.


Part IV - Asher & Ephraim



The emblem of Asher is fairly consistent - an olive tree. While the emblem for Ephraim varies. But a harmonious totem par excellence for the olive tree of Asher is the grape. Although the grape is a lesser less popular symbol for Ephraim it balances with Asher's olives figuratively and literally. The totem of grapes can also represent the tribe of Joseph. That's fine, since Ephraim was blessed as one the same footstep with his father - Joseph - in the wake of Jacob.

With the match of two treasures from mother earth, a vine and a tree connect the tribes of Asher and Ephraim. Likewise their fruits have deep sacramental significance. Olive oil is painted in a divine light in all of the branches that sprouted forth from the Great Patriarch - Abraham. Olives are mentioned all throughout the Torah and New Testament, even in the highest of Islamic Holy Books. Even before the birth of Christ olives were associated with the realm of the divine in Ancient Greece.

So what's so special about olives? One amazing fact is that these little trees can live for millenia, and still produce fruit. Their root systems are something of a kind of magic, that go deep into the earth. If the upper parts get damaged or cut off, new shoot can arise from the roots, making the olive tree a hardy little tree. The bark of these trees are also totally gnarly, intricate and paradoxically ancient and post modern.



The grapevine too, is seen with holy glory. The paramount Biblical plant par excellence is the grapevine. It is a work of art, decoration, delicious appetizer, religious sacrament and a narcotic. The history of this vine was intricately memorialized in Egypt long before the rise of the Great Pyramids.

Imagine if you had never seen an olive or grape before? You would see two fruits of a similar size and shape. However their ripe flavors contrast like night and day. The grape can be sweet and succulent, while the olive is meaty and sour.

The roots of the olive tree match in magnificence to the vines of the grape....(more to come)

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link to part 1 (a Howling Roar)
link to part 4 (Don't point those things at me!)

Grape Pic By eflon October 11, 2012 http://www.flickr.com/photos/eflon
Olive Pic by Nick Fraser 2005. en:User:Nickfraser by the Dead Sea in Jordan. March 4, 2006. en:Image:Olivesfromjordan.jpg




Tuesday, February 21, 2012

12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Gad and Zebulun, part 3

Over the ages the Tribes of Israel became attached to certain emblems. Some have two distinct symbols while others have a few. In art and poetry these emblems are powerful icons especially when displayed on a flag. Subsequently they illustrate my fraternal flag idea. Basically flags often, if not always, exhibit a certain kind of harmony. The Twelve Tribes of Israel have taken flight on the flag pole and like the flags of the 50 US states, exhibit a certain kind of "flag symmetry."

Part III - Gad and Zebulun


Gad's icon is usually a tent or group of three tents. The number doesn't matter so much, lest you understand that the totem for Gad is a group of outlaw folk commonly called raiders, bandits, thieves, or robbers. The totem for Zebulun on the other hand is almost always represented by a single ship. The origins of these icons trace back to the account in Genesis when Jacob blesses the Twelve Tribes of Israel on his death bed.

Most of the tribes derive their icons from this account, subsequently the emblems of the Twelve Tribes of Israel have served as a source of inspiration for artists for countless generations.

But the odd common element for Simeon and Gad is, both are external to the blessing. Most of the tribal emblems arise when Jacob uses a direct metaphor or simile. For example it is written that - Judah is like a lion, Benjamin is like a wolf, Dan will be a snake, Issachar is no better than a donkey.


However the emblems for Zebulun and Gad are predictions of men in an occupation. They also apply more aptly to foreigners rather than Israelis. Zebulun is predicted to become a haven for ships? What kind of ships? Ships that bring trade and economy - which includes foreign ships. Gad's emblem refers to a troop of raiders that rob him, subsequently Gad - like Batman - must pursue them, lending us the joke of Gadman the desert avenger. But seriously folks,the raiders could be future Israelis that go bad or robbers of foreign nations.

Also, the emblems of Gad and Zebulun hint at the perpetual dichotomy between the navy and army. Just as there is a captain of the ship and officers, a desert caravan - bandit or merchant - must have a chief with lieutenants. The life of a sailor or roving band of 'land pirates' requires an organized group effort composed of roughnecks as well as a shrewd class of keenly intelligent individuals. Setting camp, maintaining order and navigating a sea or dessert are the important duties for sailors or and an army of raiders.

link to part 1 (who is man's best friend?)
link to part 4 (fruit salad anyone?)

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photo credits
Ship
: User:WIBEAN (维基百科,自由的百科全书), upload in commons.wikimedia of 22-02-2006
Troops in Tent: J. David Rogers http://web.mst.edu/~rogersda/military_service/football%20at%20Masirah.jpg

Monday, February 20, 2012

12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Issacar and Naphtali, part 2

There is a natural balance in the cosmos - day/night, up/down, positive/negative, etc. Almost any concept or natural phenomena can be cut into two complementary parts. Ancient Eastern mystics from China called this phenomena as the imprint of Yin and Yang. Likewise the Twelve Tribes of Israel can be cut into compliments via their emblems.

Part II - The Tribe of Issac and Naphtali

The popular emblems of Naphtali and Issacar make a fine pair - a donkey and a deer. Note that nearly every tribal totem has two forms, but the totems for Naphtali and Issacar are farily consistent.* Both tribes feature four legged, hoofed herbivores of similar body types. You can think of a donkey as being a deer without antlers, or rather a deer is donkey with antlers.

A sharp dichotomy presented by these emblems is the separation between wild and domesticated. It is also a reflection of our own domestic and wild natures.

Some people easily fit into the 'square' domestic establishment. Some individuals have a knack to do the work of a banker, bureaucrat, and navigate the paper-cubical forest of business with ease and efficiency. Examples of the domestic heavy book and brain load bearer with the "Issacar Trait" are Alan Greenspan and Henry Kissinger.



On the other hand, there are people who have difficultly fitting into the regular 'square' rules of society. Rather their instinct is to let loose and run free in the forest of feelings, music, and art. They dance, mock and run counter to the dominant business-professional way of life. They don't want to carry the heavy burdens of society, not necessarily because they don't want but rather they don't know how or are incapable. Excellent examples include Howard Stern and Bob Dylan. These men exhibit the free bird wild essence of the "Naphtali Trait."

But like Yin and Yang, it is important to not preclude one as being absolutely wild or domestic. Meaning that believe it or not, Greenspan and Kissinger have wild nutty sides, just as Stern and Dylan have conformist square pro-establishment elements.

link to part 1 (it's raining like cat and dogs)
link to part 3 (army vs navy, sort of)
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*The vast majority of emblems of Issachar show a donkey carrying a large burden of supplies. But in 1955 the modern state of Israel issued a stamp series with the Tribe of Issac with the totem of the sun with stars. Which one is correct? It all depends on your point of view, but in a sense they are both are correct. However the association of Issacar with donkey stems from Genesis, star and sun does not.

Photo Credits
Donkey: March 20, 2010 by Marie-France Durieux : http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfdudu/4457254652/
Antelope-Deer: by Sean Gibbon at here