Friday, June 22, 2018

US Municipal Flags – Intro

Would you believe there’s actually a TED talk out there on city and town flags? It’s by a guy named Roman Mars. He’s a graphic designer, and that’s definitely reflected in his observations. He’s raises a good point though – there’s a lot of crappy design out there.

That’s the flag of Chicago, by the way

Mars also references Ted Kaye, a real, honest-to-goodness vexilloligist. In particular, he cites Kaye’s five rules to designing a great flag:
  • Keep it simple
  • Use meaningful symbolism
  • Use two to three basic colors
  • No lettering or seals of any kind
  • Be distinctive

Great thoughts, but definitely more of a challenge with municipal flags. I think these are fine for countries, but when there are thousands of cities, town, boroughs, and municipalities, it’s much harder to do, especially for those last two. 

Ted Kaye

I’ll also be referring to a publication of the National American Vexillological Association, the 2004 American City Flags Survey, written by none other than … Ted Kaye. It ranks the flags of the country’s 150 biggest cities. I don’t always agree with them, but it’s a great resource (and a great organization).

Of course they have their own flag

What I’ll be doing in my next 10 posts are to cover each state in turn. In particular, I’ll see if I can’t find the best and the worst they have to offer. I might also be tempted to redesign some of the latter. (Don’t worry, though, I won’t get too crazy. I’ve tried to keep what I’ve come up with fairly close to the original. Heck, maybe some of these folks might even adopt some of these, you know?)

We’ll start you out with Alabama thru California. Tune back next week.


More links:

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Regional Flags - Asia

Asia’s a big place. In fact, there are a couple of organizations in here that could have gone in that post from last week, on the Mideast. Anyway, here you go …


Association of South East Asian Nations


Cool symbol. I’m not sure exactly what it is … I’m guessing it has something to do with rice.

And I was right! Indeed, it’s a “stylized bundle” of such.

The 10 stalks represent all the members of ASEAN –  Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Together, they actually represent 9% of the world’s population. ASEAN was the first regional community in Asia, and dates back to 1967.


Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States


Pretty clever. We’ve got a sun to represent Kyrgyzstan, the crescent moon of Turkey, the 8-pointed star of Azerbaijan, and the blue field of Kazakhstan. No idea what they’re going to do when proposed members Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan join, unfortunately. I hope it’s not this:


So, I take it that these guys like to get together and speak the Turkic languages among themselves. They’re also known as the Turkic Council, by the way. It’s the “the first voluntary alliance of Turkic states in history,” though it dates back only to 2009.


Collective Security Treaty Organization


Another cool symbol. Now, it does look a little like it should be some super hero’s ... 

Indeed, the name of the organization itself sounds like it belongs in a comic book as well. In reality, though, it’s only a military alliance of former Soviet Union states.


International Organization of Turkic Culture


Cool symbol. But just way too many words. Why not just use the symbol instead – or at least the symbol and “TURKSOY”:


Of course, this would still make it look like it might fly outside a Turkish tofu factory, but hey …

I honestly have no idea what the relationship between these guys and the Turkic Council might be. This one does include Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan however.


Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat


What is that thing? A simple circular smudge? A blue mink stole with some jewelry? An oddly colored ring from a coffee cup?

According to the organization itself, it represents the “dynamic and powerful upsurge of the Great Wave in calligraphic design.” The “Great Wave”? Sorry haven’t a clue.

Well, here’s another group that, by its extremely generic name, seems like it must be completely fictional. Unlike our previous one, this one’s on the very eastern side of the continent, and includes China, Japan, and South Korea. Sounds like the get together for peace-y and prosperity-ish stuff.


Eurasian Development Bank


Well, don’t knock yourselves out with those baby blue and pink lines, now guys. 

To be honest, that logo looks a little like they phoned it in as well.

This group was formed in 2006 by Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Sounds totally boring and official.


South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation


Ohmigod! What is it? A cow with 7 eyes? Snakes? Velociraptors?

Somehow or other, this thing is supposed to includes 7 pigeons (or doves), 2 hands with thumbs, and the 2 eyes of Buddha. With each, of course, having all sorts of symbolism.

The pigeons, for example, represent the member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Wait a minute. That’s 8, isn’t it? 


Colombo Plan


Now, this symbol is just plain lame. I mean, I could see the local PTA using something like this.

Never hear of the Colombo Plan before? No, it is has nothing to do with one-eyed detectives in rumpled raincoats. Instead, it’s named after the city it was founded in (and which now serves as its headquarters). Oh, that’s the capital of Sri Lanka, by the way.

The official name tells you a little more about what this organization actually does. Are you ready for this? Okay, boys, roll it out. Officially, we’ve got the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific. Okay, you can take a breath now.


South East Asian Treaty Organization


Wow! This one’s even lamer. 

You may, however, have actually heard of SEATO before. At the same time, though, it’s also a historical organization.

Perhaps I can be a little clearer … SEATO was supposed to be the NATO of southeast Asia. It was created in 1955, largely to counter Communist influence in the area. The US used SEATO to justify its intervention in Vietnam.


Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking Countries


That’s it?

Once again, this looks like it should be flying outside some Turkish factory. Though I really haven’t a clue what these guys would be making.

Well, it’s those Turks again, isn’t it? This time, though, I’m not really sure what this group does. They are also known as the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-speaking Countries, if that helps.


Caucasus University Association


Because PowerPoint.

This group seems to be pretty much what it says. It’s an organization for universities in the Caucasus region. Um, except for the ones in Cyprus. And then there’s the University of the Incarnate Word, in San Antonio, Texas. Ah well, never mind.



More links:

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Regional Flags - Mideast

Some of this stuff I really like. Some of it I don’t. Some of it is just plain weird. Let’s get started …


Arab League


This one ‘s got two things going for it that are rather unique to the Mideast. The first is the color green, the color of Islam. The second is the calligraphic Arabic script, which can seem almost like abstract art.

This one actually covers a little more ground than just the Mideast. Its 22 members go as far west as Morocco and as far south as the Comoros. Indeed, this is the prime group for Arab states, dating all the way back to 1945. 


Arab Satellite Communications Organization


Cool symbol. I’m surprised nobody else ever came up with that before.

This org was started by the Arab League, back in 1976, to “deliver satellite-based, public and private telecommunications services to the Arab States, in accordance with International Standards.” They launched their 1st satellite in 1985, and actually have 6 of them up there right now.


Economic Cooperation Organization


Another cool symbol. I especially like what they did with the acronym.

The ECO is a bit of a grab bag. On the one hand, we’ve got a bunch of Turkic countries – Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan … But then we’ve also got Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. 

It sounds like they do the regular trade and development stuff. Unfortunately (and as Wikipedia puts it),  “The organisation faces many challenges. Most importantly, the member states are lacking appropriate infrastructure and institutions which the Organization is primarily seeking to develop, to make full use of the available resources in the region and provide sustainable development for the member nations.”

I do like their flag though.


Multinational Force & Observers


Dunkin Donuts orange, right? Not a color you see every day. Along with the nice symbol, though, it does work pretty well.

I’m sure you’ve heard of these guys. They basically keep the peace in the Sinai, between Egypt and Israel. It is not a UN organization, but was put together by the US and is manned by friendly, civic-minded folks from Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Norway, the UK and a few others.


Arab Women Foundation


Another interesting color. I am seriously wondering about that symbol though.

FOTW says it’s a “stylized female figure.” Okay, I can make out the head. I’m really wondering about the rest of it though. Geez, is that supposed to be a breast? And what’s with the little diamond?

According to their website:

The Arab Women Foundation an [sic] Arab non-governmental organization for research and programs that aims [sic]to increase Arab women’s rolesin [sic] the social, political and economic fields; expand women’s participation in senior positions; andempower [sic] women to reach leadership [sic].

And, no, that was not a result of Google Translate.


Council of Arab Economic Unity


This, on the other hand, is just pretty darn boring. Extra points for the cliché of hands shaking, as well the rather chunky version of same. 

This outfit seems like an economic version of the Arab League. It dates back to 1957, and counts 18 members.


Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization


Can’t get more boring and generic that this now, can we?

I guess you could call this a cultural version of the Arab League. Education, science, culture… that kinda stuff. Honestly, it’s all a little vague.

That cube in the middle? It’s the Kaabah, the main shrine in Mecca and, according to Islam, the holiest place on Earth.


More links:

Friday, June 1, 2018

Regional Flags - Africa

Africa’s a bit like the Americas – vexilollogically speaking that is. There’s some good stuff, some bad stuff, and some stuff that is definitely a little of both.


African Union



Cool! I like the color. I like the large, simple symbols. I like how there’s a fair amount going on, but it’s very contained and not busy at all. And I adore the outline of Africa against the rays of the sun.

Interestingly, this is one of the few international flags that resulted from a competition. It was designed by Ethiopian-American artist Yadesa Bojia. He won $7,000!

BTW, the African Union is the 21st Century replacement for the old OAS, the Organization of African States. 


Indian Ocean Commission



Ooh, I like that cool symbol. Not sure exactly what it means … 

The flag would probably look even better if they cut down on all that text. If you can’t just eliminate it entirely, why not just use an acronym?

You may be wondering why this one’s here in this post. I mean, the Indian Ocean’s a pretty big place, right? And, last I checked, it bordered, not only Africa, but Asia, Australia, and the Middle East as well. 

That said, the IOC (wait, that’s already taken, isn’t it?) is actually a pretty select group. It includes a mere 5 members – Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, and France (who owns Reunion). How about if we call it the Southwest Indian Ocean Commission? You know, SWIOC.


East African Community



Interesting. Possibly a little too interesting, actually … Maybe if they just got rid of all that frou-frou in the middle.

As you’ve probably already guessed, all those colorful stripes reflect the flags of the EAC’s different members (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda). Except for all that blue, which makes it looks like Botswana is a member (don’t worry, they’re not):



Well, it sure is a lot better than what they had before:




Community of Sahel-Saharan States



Now, this one is kinda cool too. 

At the same time, though, that sure is a lotta stars. Oh, sure, they stand for all the members, you’re thinking … Except that they don’t. CEN-SAD (yup, that’s their acronym – from the French) has 29 members. Original members, then? Nope – there were 6 of those.

Now, as for those colors … They’re definitely different. I can say that for ‘em. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything on where they came from. Which made me start thinking … Mardi Gras?!?!


Economic Community of West African States



Okay, the rest of these are not going to have any redeeming factors whatsoever. Let’s start out with this baby, which is both washed out, represents an odd color combo, and is rather out of date.

ECOWAS (AKA CEDEAO – the French & Portuguese equivalent) is an economic union of 15 countries in … are you ready for this? … west Africa! BTW, there are two sub-divisions within ECOWAS/CEDEAO, UEMOA (Frenchies) and WAMZ (Anglos).


Union of Arab Maghreb



Ditto – actually worse, to tell you the truth. And in case you’re wondering what that odd shape is in the middle, well it’s just the 5 countries that make up the UMA, from Mauritania up and over to Libya.

I actually rather prefer their previous flag:



Love the description of the org from Wikipedia:


The Union has been unable to achieve tangible progress on its goals …. No high level meetings have taken place since 3 July 2008 and commentators regard the Union as largely dormant.


Pan-African Parliament



And then there’s this. It’s like it’s barely there.

The PAP is actually the legislative branch of the African Union (see above, for their rather nice flag).  You’d think they coulda come up with something a little more exciting here.


Common Market for Eastern & Southern Africa



This, on the other hand, does have blue in its favor, but is still pretty much just a total snoozer.  

Here’s the previous flag, which kinda looks like somebody had an accident involving some condiment packets:




Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa



Whoa! This one’s gonna get your attention.  You know, there just aren’t enough yellow flags out there.

CEMAC is from the French. I guess the English equivalent would be EAMCOCA. Other acronyms from other languages include UDEAC and UAEAC. 

CEMAC/UDEAS/UAEAC/whatever was formed from the ECCAS and AEC, with a little help from UNECA, REPAC, FOMAX, MARAC, the RECs, the CDC, and the ECOSOC. It’s actually now known as ECCAS, as well as the CEEAC.

I am not making any of this up.


African and Malagasy Union



Whoa! It’s bright. I’ll give it that. Maybe a little too bright, if you know what I mean.

This organization is defunct. It has passed on. This organization is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! It’s a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in peace! It's kicked the bucket, it's shuffled off its mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!! THIS IS AN EX-ORGANIZATION.

Before that, though, it was basically the French-speaking countries of Africa. I take it they got together to practice their parlez vous. Interestingly, they left the Malagasy part (i.e., Madagascar) off of their flag.


African Development Bank



It’s like they sewed two flags together. 

This one sounds a tad boring. Their mission is to:


fight poverty and improve living conditions on the continent through promoting the investment of public and private capital in projects and programs that are likely to contribute to the economic and social development of the region (Wikipedia)

I do love their motto though – “Building today, a better Africa tomorrow.” I’m guessing other candidates in the running but falling a few votes short included “Building a better Africa today, for tomorrow” and “Building a better Africa tomorrow, today.” 


South African Development Community



Holy cow! This is different.  

It’s also one of the most amateurish flags I’ve ever seen. Was this put together for Greek Week? Some Girl Scout troop?

The SADC’s mission is to “promote collective self-reliance and the forging of closer links among its member states to create genuine and equitable regional co-operation.” It was formed in 1980 and was originally directed against the apartheid regimes in Rhodesia and South Africa. Ionically, these two countries are now members.

Let me end this post with the organization’s former flag:



Same crazy symbol (well, actually with one extra C – for “Coordination Conference”), but at least there’s enough color contrast this time that you can actually make it out.