Which National Flags Make the Top 30 Coolest List?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on opinions about the coolest national flags, with participants sharing their favorites and debating their designs. Flags mentioned include the Union Jack, the flags of Bhutan, Kenya, Swaziland, and the Isle of Man. The conversation also touches on the similarities among Scandinavian flags, attributing them to historical connections and the Nordic Cross symbol. Participants express personal preferences and engage in light-hearted banter about the aesthetics and meanings behind various flags.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vexillology, the study of flags.
  • Familiarity with the historical context of national flags.
  • Knowledge of design principles related to flag aesthetics.
  • Awareness of cultural significance in flag symbolism.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the history and symbolism of the Union Jack and its variations.
  • Explore the design principles of effective flags, focusing on simplicity and symbolism.
  • Investigate the cultural significance of Scandinavian flags and their historical origins.
  • Learn about vexillology resources and communities for deeper engagement.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for vexillologists, graphic designers, cultural historians, and anyone interested in the aesthetics and meanings behind national flags.

  • #31
fourier jr said:
120px-Flag_of_Canada.svg.png


it's like the figure-ground illusion, usually done with a vase:
180px-Facevase.JPG


except there's a maple leaf instead of a vase. the zigzag of the maple leaf makes a brow, eyes, nose, upper & lower lip & mouth on each side. & they're also on a 45 degree angle, unlike the vase llusion.

Less obvious than the vase, though. I wouldn't have spotted it if you didn't tell.
 
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  • #32
Funny, both Saint Lucia and East Timor were really close to making it to the top 12. Where do I find those thumbnail flags?
 
  • #33
United_Federation_of_Planets_flag.png
 
  • #34
binzing said:
Anybody know if there's a reason WHY all the Scandinavian flags are similar?

The Nordic Cross symbolises the people's devotion to Christianity, which is ironic because people in Scandinavia are now less religious than any other people on the planet.

I think those flags are very beautiful, better than having the cross centred. The Danish flag is the oldest, whereas the Norwegian (my favourite) was the first Nordic flag with three colours.

Btw:
Scandinavia = Norway, Sweden, Denmark
Nordic countries = Scandinavia + Iceland and Finland
Faroe Islands is an autonomous region of Denmark whereas Åland is an autonomous region of Finland.
 
  • #35
From the battle of Gonzalez. It signaled the opening shot of the Texan revolution.
 

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  • 200px-Texas_Flag_Come_and_Take_It_svg.png
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  • #36
Among all the boring US state flags, I prefer Arizona.

http://www.freewebs.com/arizonarangerlinedancers/Arizona_state_flag.png
 
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  • #38
Is Abkhazia a sovereign state??
 
  • #39
kasse said:
Is Abkhazia a sovereign state??

No, that's the infamous prision in the Harry Potter series. :-p
 
  • #40
kasse said:
The Nordic Cross symbolises the people's devotion to Christianity, which is ironic because people in Scandinavia are now less religious than any other people on the planet.

There is actually more irony in the finnish state flag. There are absolutely no lions around here.

http://xs233.xs.to/xs233/08473/leijonalippu522.jpg

This does bring out memories though. A few hundred mornings of saluting this flag.
 
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  • #41
Azkaban
 
  • #42
kasse said:
Azkaban

Gesundheit.
 
  • #43
It's because the lion represents monarchy (even if Finland is a republic). Norway is a kingdom, however, but I don't think there are lions there except in the zoos. Here's the former flag of Norway.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Royal_Standard_of_Norway.svg
 
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  • #44
FannieFlaggDVDcover.jpg
 
  • #45
The Flag of Earth:

flagerth.jpg


And, of course, the flag of Nutopia:

2892534283_7ed2e9bf74.jpg
 
  • #46
Scotland is the winner in the irony category:
"A white cross against the blue sky"

ScotlandFlag.gif


No blue skies, y'see.
 
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  • #47
This is just a "my country is better than yours" thread in disguise.
 
  • #48
The flag of Nunavat is sort of cool...

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1405/nunavutflaglp3.png

...but its coat of arms is awesome...

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1706/nunavutcoawf1.jpg

Yes, that IS a caribou and a narwhal whale!
 
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  • #49
So who would win in a fight between a cariboo and a narwhal?
 
  • #50
mgb_phys said:
So who would win in a fight between a cariboo and a narwhal?
in the water or out on land??
perhaps in the marshes to even things out??
 
  • #51
Werg22 said:
This is just a "my country is better than yours" thread in disguise.

No, it's not. I'm not British.
 
  • #52
lisab said:
The flag of Nunavat is sort of cool...

...but its coat of arms is awesome...

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1706/nunavutcoawf1.jpg

Yes, that IS a caribou and a narwhal whale!

Lol, that's the coolest coat of arms I've ever seen! Pure genius!
 
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  • #53
Werg22 said:
This is just a "my country is better than yours" thread in disguise.

Uh, except I'm pretty sure MOST of the people on here don't live in far flung African countries, or Scandinavia (cept Arildno), or the Isle of Man, etc...
 
  • #54
mgb_phys said:
As does the flag of Mozambique
250px-Flag_of_Mozambique.svg.png

Interesting. I might have an opportunity to go to Mozambique sometime in the next few years. They're setting up a new anatomy department in a school there and I've been asked to help with writing a grant for travel funds to assist them setting it up. That would be REALLY cool! I'd be collaborating with the person working on getting the funds from an international organization to build the labs, and my contribution would be to help with developing the curriculum, which has some interesting challenges.
 
  • #55
I want to say narwhal wins the fight, just because I've always been a fan of the narwhal. If I had to lay money on it I might have to pick the caribou. NO,no, I take that back. I'm betting on the narwhal.
 
  • #56
Both Australia and NZ are considering new flags.
 
  • #57
kasse said:
Both Australia and NZ are considering new flags.
125px-Nz_coat_arms.gif
 
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  • #58
BEST COAT OF ARMS!

http://www.world-flags-symbols.com/_img_nations3/dominican_republic_coa.png
 
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  • #59
"[URL Flag

250px-Gadsden_flag.svg.png
[/URL]
 
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  • #60
lisab said:
The flag of Nunavat is sort of cool...

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/1405/nunavutflaglp3.png

How about that. It didn't even occur to me that Nunavat would have a flag. Spiffy that one is. Who would have thought to put an inukshuk on a flag? I may have to go up there one of these days just to see an actual one in person.
 
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