While stuck at home in quarantine, I've decided to spend a few days writing about flags of the world. The study of flags is called "vexillology", and I think it's a really fascinating field.
I've divided the world into a few different regions, and am going to be sharing and discussing my top five favorite flags from each region. The point of these posts is to share some flags that I think are beautiful, unique, or interesting. In other words, every post will basically just be showing off five flags that I think are cool.
I mean, what else am I going to do? I'm still under pandemic lockdown for the forseeable future.
Today we start our world tour with North America and the Caribbean! Many of the countries in North America are of complex sovereignty, often being constituents or overseas territories of foreign kingdoms. Today, all of the flags that I am featuring are of island countries.
Antigua and Barbuda
The flag of Antigua and Barbuda was adopted in 1967 when the country gained self-government. The flag was designed by famous local artist Sir Reginald Samuel, and symbolizes the sun dawning on a new era.
I like this flag for its interesting design. Many former British territories that have since gained sovereigny and membership in the Commonwealth of Nations tend to redesign their flags to reflect their own unique national heritage, and this is one of the most striking examples.
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas
The flag of the Bahamas is another ensign representing a sovereign Commonwealth realm. The gold on the flag represents the shining sun, aquamarine stands for the water surrounding the country. Black symbolises the "strength", "vigour, and force" of the Bahamian people.
I like this flag because of the cool and calm color scheme, which sets it apart from many other regional flags. Far too many flags are tricolors or comprised of red, white, and blue. It's refreshing to see a national flag that embraces unique colors.
Barbados
Barbados is another former British territory and current member of the Commonwealth. Like that of the Bahamas, I like the Barbados flag because of its color scheme, but also because of the significance of its design.
The trident symbol was taken from Barbados' colonial badge, where the trident of Poseidon is shown held by Britania. The three prongs of the trident represent government of, by, and for the people.
Country of Curaçao
After the disillusion of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, Curaçao gained independence as a constituent contry in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its flag formerly represented the island territory within the Netherlands Antilles, but was adopted as the national flag upon the country's independence.
The blue on the flag symbolises the sea and sky, and the yellow bar represents the sun bathing the islands. The two stars represent the two main islands of Curaçao and Klein Curaçao.
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, and holds the unique distinction of being the only Nordic country whose flag does not display the traditional Nordic Cross.
Instead, Greenland's flag, which was adopted in 1985 and was designed to represent both Denmark (by color scheme) and Greenland's unique aboriginal heritage. The red half-circle represents the setting sun, and the white half-circle represents ice burgs and pack ice (over 80% of Greenland is covered in ice).
I hope that this was interesting. It was for me at least. I learned quite a lot by researching the flags of the region. Come back tomorrow for my five favorite flags from South and Central America!
No comments:
Post a Comment