Many micronations have their own flags and national symbols, and today I am going to feature five of my favorite micronational flags! Two are from two of the most famous and established micronations, two are from less serious micronations, and one is from a now defunct "miniature monarchy".
Grand Duchy of Westarctica
Perhaps I am a bit biased. I am, after all, a member of the peerage of Westarctica.
The flag's Westarctican blue represents the freezing temperatures of Antarctica, and the white represents the fields of ice in the territory. The crown is a symbol of the monarchy. The flag uses a Nordic cross to represent the country's Christian heritage, but is hollow to show respect for all faiths.
The flag has been flown over some of Westarctica's honorary consulates around the world.
Kingdom of Argonne
Argonne... I hardly knew you.
The Kingdom of Argonne was extant when I drafted this post just days ago, but sadly it is now no more. I pay tribute to the short-lived but beautiful project of the Kingdom of Argonne. It existed for just over a month, but was already in the process of developing a really unique character and culture. A "miniature monarchy" that claimed no land or territory and was designed around a modern New French North America, the kingdom was in the beginning stages of development and slowly starting to gain attention when the COVID-19 crisis forced the king to dissolve the kingdom and end the project. I had been named as the Viscount Pontchartrain of de Rosiers, a title that I intend to hold on to despite the dissolution of the kingdom.
The Chamber of Arms of Argonne had developed this beautiful flag, which sadly never got the chance to fly. Inspired by the heraldry of Canada, New France, and Quebec, the flag was really something that the kingdom would have been proud of.
Principality of Sealand
Sealand might be the best known micronation in the world. It even claims de facto recognition of its sovereignty by both the United Kingdom and Germany. While the entire "country" is just an old platform out in the middle of the ocean, the principality is fiercely independent, and Sealand's flag is a display of its independent nature.
Conch Republic
In 1982, the US border patrol put up a road block and checkpoint around the city of Key West, Florida which greatly harmed local business. As a sign of protest, the city jokingly claimed that the United States was declaring a national border and therefore recognizing Key West as an independent country. The city's tongue-in-cheek motto "we seceded where others failed" plays into the imaginary independence of the "Conch Republic". The city even adopted a new flag to promote the Conch Republic.
Today, the elected government of the Conch Republic functions as a sort of chamber of commerce for the city, using national holidays and Conch Republic events to support local businesses. There are yearly parades and celebrations, and they even sell novelty stamps and passports.
The flag features, what else, a conch shell as well as the year that the city was founded beneath the proud words reading "Conch Republic".
Kingdom of Lovely
Created for the BBC program "How to Start Your Own Country" by presenter and humorist Danny Wallace, the Kingdom of Lovely was an experiment designed to demonstrate to and educate viewers about sovereignty and what it means to actually be a country. Wallace declared his London flat to be an independent kingdom, and went about trying to gain world recognition for his tiny new country.
King Danny, as he crowned himself, approached the high-end London design firm Pentagram to commission a coat of arms and flag to represent his new modern kingdom. The internet-based nature of his country was reflected in the pixelated coat of arms that the firm created, and the flag was chosen to represent the kingdom as a modern-day establishment that was unique from other world countries with lots of history.
King Danny, as he crowned himself, approached the high-end London design firm Pentagram to commission a coat of arms and flag to represent his new modern kingdom. The internet-based nature of his country was reflected in the pixelated coat of arms that the firm created, and the flag was chosen to represent the kingdom as a modern-day establishment that was unique from other world countries with lots of history.
Quarantine is winding down. I'll write a COVID-19 update here soon to tell you all about the ongoing situation in Thailand. Let's just say that it's all very good news and that life in the Big Mango is just weeks away from being returned to normal! Until then, I may write another flag post or two. It's been a fun series to research and write about!
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