Kiritimati 'Christmas' Island Flag of Kiribati

 There are several Christmas Islands!  Perhaps the most famous is the one next to Indonesia that is populated mostly by Chinese Australians.  There is a Christmas island in Canada, Nova Scotia.  Tasmania even has two Christmas Islands.  But a close runner up to equatorial Christmas Island of Australia is Christmas Island of Kiribati.

The flag for Kiritimati— Christmas Island of the North — is loosely based upon the flag of Christmas Island of Australia.  However there are several differences.  First, the central disc has the outline of Kiritimati. In the bottom half, the national bird of the Kiribati is flying in the lower red half, which is the frigate bird.  On the upper blue half is the 'Northern Cross Constellation' which is within the constellation of Cygnus.  Additionally a seven pointed star near the fly represents the star Vega, which was made popular in movie Contact 1997.

The islanded nation of Kiribati is a geographic wonderland, since it sits at the cross hairs of geography.  Kiribati straddles the equator and 180th Meridian, which is the opposite of the Prime Meridian.  Likewise the island of Kiritimati translates to Christmas Island.  Many older maps retain this name.

Like Aussie Christmas Island, Central Pacific Christmas Island was a British Colony.  During the War of Endless Tears both Christmas Islands were occupied by the Imperial Japanese Navy.   Eventually, the UK regained control of the Kiribati and gave it independence in 1978.  Then in 1983 the US released its claim to several of its islands.

Interesting aspect about Christmas Island of the North is that it has cities names Poland, Paris, London and every one's favorite name for a city... Banana.

Canada's Christmas Island Flag, Nova Scotia

Everyone knows about Australia's Christmas Island.  But did you know that Canada also has a Christmas Island?  And this island is more a kin to what most of us think about Christmas in Europe and North America, a kind to what Santa would expect in at the North Pole.

The Christmas Island flag has a Canadian pale with two crossed candy canes.  Three green maple leaves sit at different angles.  This flags is themed to say Canada and Christmas at the same time. 

Christmas Island, Nova Scotia is and island on and island of sorts; since it is on Cape Breton Island.

Christmas Island Flag Northpolarized

The funny thing about Christmas Island, is that its flag is not so Christmassy.  So in honor of Christmas this flag named after Christmas deserves the Northpolarization treatment.   Red and green lights are added around the border, a Santa hat is on the bird, and the Southern Cross stars have a warm glow.   Now, this Christmas Island flag says Christmas!

There is one small officially Spanish speaking country in the heart of Africa: Equatorial Guinea.  In a way it is a cousin Equador.  In fact you could call this country Equador Guinea?  Apparently Guinea means black in Arabic, so some thing.  Funny thing about Guinea, there are a lot of nations that use this term, it seems that people love it: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Papua New Guinea.  Bottom line there are a lot of Guineas, but note guinea pigs have little to do with the Guineas across the world.

The Christmas Equatorial Guinea Flag is altered for the Christmas Holiday.  The coat of arms is a bit larger than normal.  The God Tree (Cebia pentandra) is a tropical tree makes a silky cotton and is used for a variety of purposes.  It is the national tree for: Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and even honored in Sierra Leone as the Cotton Tree.  Also the stars are glowing and three are coloured white, in order to give a sparkly appearance.  Finally the motto on the ribbon has changed to read 'Feliz, Paz, Navidad.'

Persons from African-Ecuador have a good relation with persons from the Dominican Republic, since both persons have a mixed Spanish-African heritages.  

Cascadian Battle Flag

The Cascadian Battle Flag is based upon the flag of Jamaica but with Cascadian colours.  In the central X saltire are 13 pine cones that are reflective of the Original 13 colonies of the United States.

If you didn't know pine cones are basically woody flowers for pine trees of all sorts.  They are not as pretty as flower petals but they show strength and power of the conifer, when given time can grow strong and tall and last, and remain green through the hash winter. 

Cascadia Naval Jack

The Cascadian Naval Jack is for use with anyone with letter of mark in support of the Cascadian Nation.  The Jack is based upon the flag of Quebec combined with elements of Cascadian colours.

The Cascadian Christmas Flag

This version of the Cascadia Flag has a few coloured balls upon it, in honor of Christmas. Both Canada and the US already celebrate Christmas along similar lines.  Shopping lines, church lines, and decorating conifers with brightly coloured objects.