I suspect that the stylistic consistency comes in part from using the “Hi-no-maru” (Japanese flag) as a basic model, and partly because many use stylised kanji (Japanese versions of Chinese characters) for the central emblem.
I like the prefectural flags, even if they’re all a little similar.
My favorite US flag is the New Mexico flag, but I have heard that there are American Indians trying to get it changed because the symbol on the flag is sacred and not for everyday use.
I hate the boring state seal flags.
I like the California - my home state - flag pretty much, although I am willing to admit I could be biased because the Bear Flag Rebellion was a local historical event where I grew up.
Oddly enough, after perusing the flag site it seems that almost no flags came into being for the first century of America. A good number of state flags came into being around the turn of the last century and another chunk in the 1920’s. Always interesting to me how a lot of the things that we just assume have been around forever are really pretty modern. And a lot of them were designed by committtee under some controversy.
I also like variety. But I wish the committees could have had variety that didn’t include the state seal in the center of a plain flag. Bleah. And what’s with putting the state name on the flag? The idea behind a flag is that the flag wil be unique enough taht you don’t need a name on it.
I suppose I’m alone in thinking the Colorado flag is pretty unique, and the Arizona flag is good too.
Also, I had no idea what the Hawaiian flag looked like until today, ye gods! What were they thinking, “I got a fever, adn it can only be cured by more stripes!”
Bingo, that’s why Arkansas, California, and Colorado (It has a big C) are out of the running for me. Though California makes up by having a cool bear but not enough to push it into Coolsville.
I think the best looking flag amongst the states is the Texas flag. Of course I also think the US flag is pretty snazzy but I hear a lot of people say it’s a horrible design. What do I know?
Marc
I tend to prefer the plainer flags, though my favorite is probably Maryland’s, which isn’t exactly plain. I think the Louisiana flag is kind of goofy, and man, is it ever hard to draw. I also like the flags of Texas, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Flags of
U.S. Districts, Territories, and Possessions
Australian States and Teritories (I use Norfolk Island’s for my national flag in NationStates)
Brazilian Federal District and States (some resemble the after-images you may see after staring at a picture of the U.S. flag, then looking at a blank wall)
Papua New Guinea Capital District and Provinces (lots of color and variety)
Russian Regions of Various Types (this is the last of three pages in this category – seems Omsk didn’t get the memo about the breakup of the Soviet Union)
Swedish Cities, Counties, and Region (Hal Briston should check out Gotland)
As for the U.S. state flags, I like Ohio’s for uniqueness (and because I lived most of my life in the Cleveland area), California’s for the bold illustration, and New Mexico’s for the symbolism.
Of those, the flags of Manitoba and Ontario (based on the British red ensign) and of all the Australian states (based on the British blue ensign) have to win the prize for boring lack of originality. It’s bad enough having the Australian and New Zealand fflags based on that meme, but to keep on going that way is truly horrific. Fortunately Canada and most of the Canadian provinces have seen the light.
In the early 70s I had a friend whose family was from Texas but they were now living in Syracuse, NY. They were very proud of their Texas heritage and flew a Texas state flag at their house every day. One day a local police officer visited and said they had received a complaint from a neighbor that they were flying the Vietcong flag. Not illegal, but ill-advised, the officer told them. My friend’s dad – his name was Tex, of course, same as my friend – explained what the flag was, and they all had a good laugh. When the story got around, though, for months afterwards my friend Tex got renamed Charlie.
I don’t know why Michigan isn’t number one. As evidence:
1- The elk and moose are cool. Period.
2- The motto: Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice. Coolest state motto.
3- A nice shade of blue for the background
4- Best of all- where it’s flown. No state is equal.
Ugh, those Japanese prefectures all look like corporate logos.
Loosely translated: “Look at our nice peninsula.” I prefer New Hampshire’s “Live Free Or Die!”
Actually, “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.”
But the oddest motto in my book is Connecticut:
Qui Transtulit Sustinet (He who transplanted still sustains). Huh???
I did say “loosely translated”. I’d translate Connecticut’s as “Transplanted but still thriving” – you can’t translate Latin into English word-for-word and get an idiomatic expression.
Obviously, Alaska has the best state flag, I’m surprised there’s even a debate. Simple, bold, evocative, instantly recognizable, relevant to the state, classic blue and gold color combination, beautiful.
The worst state flags are those with the state seal on a plain field. And the worst of all those is Washington State. An avocado green field with a picture of George Washington? Are you kidding me? Who the fuck came up with that? And why can’t we kick him in the nuts a few times?
Since this thread was recently linked in a more recent thread, I decided why not rejuvenate it.
I think Virginia’s flag is definitely the coolest.
I mean come on, it’s got a woman showing her boob while standing on a dead king. Then it has what essentially amounts to a guarantee that other kings will meet a similar fate. I hate kings and I like boobs.
I also like Pennsylvania’s flag. I like the horses. It’s no topless woman committing regicide though.
I like it too. It looks like a nautical flag, and RI is the Ocean State.
I also like Colorado, regardless of what wolfman says. It looks fresh. I’m with everybody else on the state-seal-on-blue-background snoozefests (and why did Nevada have to put theirs in the upper left? Were they planning something else for the rest of the field?) Oklahoma is pretty cool, though they did feel the need to put the name on it so you’d be sure it’s Oklahoma.
You know, I think a flag should be discernable from a long distance away. Even if you’re not at war and need to tell your friends from your enemies, you should be able to see “your” flag from a ways off and be able to, if not feel a little thrill of “that’s mine!” in your heart, at least recognize your home standard.
That’s where the “seal on blue background” flags fail, and where flags that aren’t necessarily good designs may succeed. Washington isn’t that great a flag, but it is the only green flag. Alaska is a great design and represents its state well, but I don’t think the stars are big enough. If you’re a few hundred yards away, how can you tell the difference between Nebraska and New Hampshire? New Mexico, Texas, and Ohio are awesome flags.
Anyone who votes anything other than Virginia has not looked closely enough. I mean really, half-naked female warrior with her foot on the neck of a tyrant? Please. It just doesn’t get any better than that! ! !
Alaska’s flag, not only for the reasons given, but because it was designed by Benny Benson, a 13-year old part Aleut boy. This is taught in Alaska’s elementary schools as part of the state history. The flag is also instrumental in the Alaska State Song:
Eight stars of gold on a field of blue -
Alaska’s flag. May it mean to you
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes, and the flow’rs nearby;
The gold of the early sourdough’s dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams;
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The “Bear” - the “Dipper” - and, shining high,
The great North Star with its steady light,
Over land and sea a beacon bright.
Alaska’s flag - to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.
…She could have another female warrior clinging to her leg, like a Frazetta painting. And more blood washing out the tyrant’s foul footsteps’ pollution. 