I’m confused. has your OP been answered? What is this black flag you saw and what does it mean? I’ve read the thread up and down
But, if the flag is entirely black, how can you tell it is a US flag as opposed to an anarchist flag, pirate flag, Islamic flag, or any other all-black banner?
See post #4.
Simply. It’s a Trump flag. You can get one at Walmart.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jetlifee-Black-Printed-American-Flag-3x5-Foot-3x5-ft-Black-US-Flag-with-Brass-Grommets-Printing-Stripes/274875383
It seems to be a terrorist flag, going by the descriptions in this thread.
Technically, I’d call that a black and grey flag, but I’ll go with “black flag” for succinctness.
I think the symbolism might still be in flux with this one. Context would matter in interpreting the meaning. If flown by a Trumpist, though, I’d assume it leans more towards the “opposite of surrender, no quarter given”.
Thank you vey much for this insightful link. The product description
MATERIAL - 100% 100D Polyester American Flag strengthened, easy to fly and fast dry. And Our flags are partially imported.Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. (NOT Recommended for Super Windy Outdoors)
and the coments
“Love it! It looks perfect on my flag pole!”,
“Vivid colors. Nylon flag. Good quality for intended purpose of showing support for a candidate pre-election.”
are intriguing. Partially imported? Vivid black colors?
What happens, the stars start flying off?
Are we sure it wasn’t this black flag?
To the galaxy far far away they were partially imported from, perhaps? I don’t know, I was just quoting, and not even the weirdest stuff.
You’re new here.
The question was answered in posts 3 and 4. There was no reason to belabor the point after that.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
I would expect it still means “no quarter, no surrender” but since it was used by the Confederacy, I would also expect it to denote support for Confederate values, a refusal to surrender their racism for a more enlightened view of humankind, and a willingness to murder people who oppose them. That would be my personal interpretation, and I fully admit it is projection on my part, since I don’t know anyone who flies one.
You can get a pretty good idea from reading the reviews.
So yeah, it’s for people who don’t like their country, and want to display their disdain for it proudly.
Of course, it’s made in China.
H. L. Mencken fan?
“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."
I always assumed that meant the skull and crossbones on a black field, i.e. the archetypal pirate flag.
I have wondered if the color scheme of the Islamic State flag (a little Arabic writing – part of the Shahada? – and the “seal of Muhammad” in white on a black ground) was chosen for its sinister and aggressive tone.
Is there a historical cite for this? I didn’t look long, but I just see it asserted on websites. It seems odd to me that they would go to the effort of making an all-black US (federal) flag. I mean, I believe that a black flag was used to indicate no quarter, but I thought it was just a black flag (like the literal opposite of the white flag of truce).
(Interestingly, of course, as I understand it, the black flag in the “Jolly Roger” context usually meant that quarter would be given upon immediate surrender).
As I understood it, the black flag meant “Surrender or else”, with the skull-and-crossbones indicating what “or else” meant. If the other side didn’t surrender, you struck the black flag and raised the red flag, which meant “no quarter, no prisoners”.
At the Battle of the Alamo, Santa Ana famously flew the red flag before the start of the battle.
This would make for a great Straight Dope column, wouldn’t it?
Quick, somebody forward it to Ed Zotti!
Somebody should flag it…