The Flag Thread - national flags, state flags, city flags, etc.

[dave8721]

Originally Posted by JManc

Texas has a strong state identity almost rivaling being an American. Houstonians and Dallasites have some civic pride but are Texans first. I don't see this ever really changing despite urbanism and non Texans. I am from New York where we rival the Brits in self-loathing but have embraced the Texas identity. Yes, everytime I mention I am from New York even Upstate NY, they mention that the city in southeast corner of the state.

Texas is the only place I've been in the US where it is common for people, stores, cars, homes...etc to fly state flags. I don't think I've ever seen a Florida flag in Miami other than at a government building.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by dave8721

Texas is the only place I've been in the US where it is common for people, stores, cars, homes...etc to fly state flags. I don't think I've ever seen a Florida flag in Miami other than at a government building.

outside of government buildings, you almost never see the illinois flag flown around here (due in part because it's a rather boring and generic "seal on a field" flag design).

but around chicago, you see our city flag flown everywhere.

in fact, the chicago flag is probably more common around town than even the US flag.

[JManc]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

outside of government buildings, you almost never see the illinois flag flown around here (due in part because it's a rather boring and generic "seal on a field" flag design).

but around chicago, you see our city flag flown everywhere.

in fact, the chicago flag is probably more common around town than even the US flag.

Along with DC, Chicago's flag is iconic and more recognizable than most states. I had to google Illinois's.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by dave8721

Texas is the only place I've been in the US where it is common for people, stores, cars, homes...etc to fly state flags. I don't think I've ever seen a Florida flag in Miami other than at a government building.

[dave8721]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

I don't recall people flying California flags on their cars and from their homes in my trips to SF and LA. When you are in texas, pretty much anywhere in Texas, the Texas flag is EVERYWHERE.

[iheartthed]

Originally Posted by dave8721

I don't recall people flying California flags on their cars and from their homes in my trips to SF and LA. When you are in texas, pretty much anywhere in Texas, the Texas flag is EVERYWHERE.

Not as much as Texas, but they aren't exactly modest about it either. The most recognizable local flags off the top of my head are Texas, California, Chicago city, and Maryland.

[Steely Dan]

California's flag would be vastly improved if they removed the text.

Text on a flag defeats the whole purpose of a flag.

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

California's flag would be vastly improved if they removed the text.

Text on a flag defeats the whole purpose of a flag.

I agree. I hate seeing text on a flag. Rwanda's old flag was a dog's breakfast.

[lio45]

I'd tend to agree... unless the text is a motto or something, I guess that could be okay. But text to say what it is? Big no no.

Edit: an example of okay text would be the "ordem e progresso" on the Brazilian flag.

Even a somewhat discreet "Seal of the State of New Hampshire" on the NH flag would be okay.

[iheartthed]

Originally Posted by iheartthed

Not as much as Texas, but they aren't exactly modest about it either. The most recognizable local flags off the top of my head are Texas, California, Chicago city, and Maryland.

A couple of others are Puerto Rican and Catalonian flags, which I believe are both based on the Cuban flag. Also, a little tangential, but the Texas flag looks remarkably similar to the Chilean flag, although Texans will vehemently deny that their flag is in any way copied or inspired by it.

Originally Posted by lio45

I'd tend to agree... unless the text is a motto or something, I guess that could be okay. But text to say what it is? Big no no.

Edit: an example of okay text would be the "ordem e progresso" on the Brazilian flag.

Even a somewhat discreet "Seal of the State of New Hampshire" on the NH flag would be okay.

Well... technically, the text on California's flag is also fantasy.

[craigs]

Originally Posted by iheartthed

Well... technically, the text on California's flag is also fantasy.

Nonsense. The Bear Flag revolt and its breakaway "California Republic" lasted only a month, but it erupted simultaneously with the larger Mexican-American war, with covert support from the US military, and hastened the official end of Mexican control over Alta California. The revolt began modern-day California's transition to US control, a fait accompli just six months later.

[iheartthed]

Originally Posted by craigs

Nonsense. The Bear Flag revolt and its breakaway "California Republic" lasted only a month, but it erupted simultaneously with the larger Mexican-American war, with covert support from the US military, and hastened the official end of Mexican control over Alta California. The revolt began modern-day California's transition to US control, a fait accompli just six months later.

Meow, lol. Okay, fantasy was the wrong word but, similar to the spirit of Texas flag hugging, the words on California's flag either refers to a glorified period in history when the territory was briefly a sovereign nation, or to an aspiration for the future in which the territory becomes a sovereign nation. In either case, it's not really clear whether the flag embracing is nostalgia or a threat.

[craigs]

Originally Posted by iheartthed

Meow, lol. Okay, fantasy was the wrong word but, similar to the spirit of Texas flag hugging, the words on California's flag either refers to a glorified period in history when the territory was briefly a sovereign nation, or to an aspiration for the future in which the territory becomes a sovereign nation. In either case, it's not really clear whether the flag embracing is nostalgia or a threat.

Meanwhile in reality, it is neither of those things. The Bear Flag symbolizes and memorializes this region's armed rebellion against neglectful Mexican rule and the transition into an integral part of the United States.

[JManc]

Originally Posted by craigs

Nonsense. The Bear Flag revolt and its breakaway "California Republic" lasted only a month, but it erupted simultaneously with the larger Mexican-American war, with covert support from the US military, and hastened the official end of Mexican control over Alta California. The revolt began modern-day California's transition to US control, a fait accompli just six months later.

If California succeeded, they would have had the lamest name ever...the Bear Flag Republic? Can you imagine the songs? Bear Flag Republic Girls, Hotel Bear Flag Republic? Dani Bear Flag Republic?

[craigs]

Originally Posted by JManc

If California succeeded, they would have had the lamest name ever...the Bear Flag Republic? Can you imagine the songs? Bear Flag Republic Girls, Hotel Bear Flag Republic? Dani Bear Flag Republic?

The revolutionary movement was called the Bear Flag Rebellion and they named their territory the California Republic--and let me tell you, there are a zillion "Bear Flag such-and-such" businesses--I can think of three breweries off the top of my head.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by lio45

Even a somewhat discreet "Seal of the State of New Hampshire" on the NH flag would be okay.

i whole-heartedly disagree.

"seal on field" flags are the worst.

they're so damn boring and unoriginal.

almost any kind proper graphic flag design (without text) is better than the old "well, we weren't really sure what our state flag should look like, so instead of, ya know, actually trying, we decided to be extremely lazy and just slap our state seal on a blue background. BOOM! there's our state flag, in all of its uninspired glory. unless you happen to be standing within 15 feet of it, you'll have absolutely no idea what it is."

[lio45]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

i whole-heartedly disagree.

"seal on field" flags are the worst.

they're so damn boring and unoriginal.

almost any kind proper graphic flag design (without text) is better than the old "well, we weren't really sure what our state flag should look like, so instead of, ya know, actually trying, we decided to be extremely lazy and just slap our state seal on a blue background. BOOM! there's our state flag, in all of its uninspired glory. unless you happen to be standing within 15 feet of it, you'll have absolutely no idea what it is."

From a distance and on a windy day, you can't tell apart the flags of the three northern New England states.

[sopas ej]

I think Colorado's state flag has to be the most unimaginative.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by sopas ej

I think Colorado's state flag has to be the most unimaginative.

but hell if you don’t see it on bumperstickers of cars driving east into the midwest. very recognizable.

it’s not very elegant or rustic like californias.

[lio45]

Originally Posted by sopas ej

I think Colorado's state flag has to be the most unimaginative.

It could be the logo of a fast food chain. Sucks as a flag, IMO.