# Counterchanged flags **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 21, 2026, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878 "2026-01-21T06:20:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/1 "2026-01-21T06:20:52Z")
A **counterchange** (not a countercharge) in heraldry/vexillology is when two colors alternate in different parts of the coat of arms or flag. Two examples I know of in flags: The UK Union Jack is composed of three crosses. One is the red verticle/horizontal St George’s Cross; the other two are saltires (Xs from corner to corner). One is red and the other white. If you look carefully, you’ll notice that on the hoist side, the white is on top while on the fly, the red is on top. This alteration is a counterchange. Here’s what it looks like without St George’s Cross: [![](https://projectbritain.com/geography/flag/counter.jpg) ](https://projectbritain.com/geography/flag/counter.jpg) A more obvious counterchange is the Greenland flag, which is a white and red horizontal bicolor with a counterchanged circle. > **[Flag of Greenland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Greenland#/media/File:Flag_of_Greenland.svg)** > > The flag of Greenland\[a\] is the flag of the territory of Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Designed by Greenlandic politician Thue Christiansen, it features two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red (bottom) with a counter-changed red-and-white disk slightly to the hoist side of centre. The entire flag measures 18 by 12 parts; each stripe measures 6 parts; the disk is 8 parts in diameter, horizontally offset by 7 parts from the hoist to the centre of the circle, ... Are there any other examples of counterchange in national/subnational flags? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/2 "2026-01-21T06:45:01Z")
There’s the Taegeuk on the South Korean flag: > **[Taegeuk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taegeuk)** > > Taegeuk (Korean: 태극; Hanja: 太極, .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}Korean pronunciation: \[tʰɛgɯk̚\]) is a Sino-Korean term meaning "supreme ultimate", although it can also be translated as "great polarity / duality / extremes". The term and its overall concept is derived from the Chinese Taiji, popularised in the west as the Yin South ... ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/3 "2026-01-21T06:50:34Z")
There’s also the flag of Maryland: > **[Flag of Maryland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Maryland)** > > The flag of Maryland is the official flag of the U.S. state of Maryland and the 17th-century heraldic banner of arms of Cecil, 2nd Baron Baltimore. It consists of the arms of his father George, 1st Baron Baltimore (1579–1632), quartered with those of his grandmother, heiress of the Crossland family. The flag was officially adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in 1904. > Under MD General Provisions Code § 7‑201 (2024), the "Maryland flag" is officially designated as the State flag. > The 2024 ... ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/4 "2026-01-21T06:54:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > There’s the Taegeuk on the South Korean flag: That’s not a counterchange. > [@Alessan](#): > > There’s also the flag of Maryland: Yes, that’s one. Or rather, more than one. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/5 "2026-01-21T06:59:23Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > That’s not a counterchange. How come? I’d say that the Taeguk/Yin-Yang symbol is a classic example of a countercharge - “two colors alternate in different parts of the coat of arms or flag”. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/6 "2026-01-21T07:04:50Z")
My understanding is that for a counterchange, both colors occur in both parts of the flag. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/7 "2026-01-21T07:07:56Z")
So a Yin-Yang (with dots) would be a countercharge, but a Taeguk (without dots) wouldn’t? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/8 "2026-01-21T07:11:03Z")
Sounds right. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/9 "2026-01-21T07:32:29Z")
The “True South” proposal for Antarctica [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/True\_South\_Antarctic\_Flag.svg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/True_South_Antarctic_Flag.svg) > **[Flag of Antarctica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Antarctica)** > > As a condominium with no single governing body, the continent of Antarctica does not have an official flag of its own. However, several designs have been created for the purpose of representing the continent. > This should be distinguished from flags flown in Antarctica in general, which includes those used by national missions and outposts in Antarctica. > Since the 1970s, there have been many designs proposed as a flag for Antarctica. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/10 "2026-01-21T16:56:26Z")
Valais, the Swiss canton [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Canton_valais-drapeau.svg/1200px-Canton_valais-drapeau.svg.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Canton_valais-drapeau.svg/1200px-Canton_valais-drapeau.svg.png) > **[Coat of arms of Valais](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Valais)** > > The coat of arms and the flag of the Swiss canton of Valais is in red and white, divided vertically with thirteen five-pointed stars in opposite colours (Per pale argent and gules 13 mullets counterchanged). The stars represent the thirteen districts (or dizains, Zehnden "tithings"). It was introduced in 1815, when the Valais was detached from the French Department of Simplon to join the Swiss Confederacy. > The coat of arms and the flag directly continue that of the République des Sept-Dizains, t... I will say, it’s a lot more common in SCA heraldry than it seemed to be in real life heraldry and vexillology. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/11 "2026-01-21T17:08:19Z")
Also, the Canton of Obwalden [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Flag_of_Canton_of_Obwalden.svg/500px-Flag_of_Canton_of_Obwalden.svg.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Flag_of_Canton_of_Obwalden.svg/500px-Flag_of_Canton_of_Obwalden.svg.png) ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/12 "2026-01-21T17:09:50Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > One is red and the other white. If you look carefully, you’ll notice that on the hoist side, the white is on top while on the fly, the red is on top. I never noticed this. Back in my freshman dorm a British professor came to give a talk about Monty Python. We hung a Union Jack on the wall and he mentioned that it was upside down. Until today I assumed he was joking. 48 years later I find out he was serious (it’s taking longer than we thought). What a silly bunt. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/13 "2026-01-21T17:17:26Z")
Arnhem, the Dutch city: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/VlagArnhem.svg/1280px-VlagArnhem.svg.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/VlagArnhem.svg/1280px-VlagArnhem.svg.png) And _not_ the well-known red dragon flag, but the _badge_ of Wales features counterchanged lions: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Royal_Badge_of_Wales_%282024_onwards%29.svg/960px-Royal_Badge_of_Wales_%282024_onwards%29.svg.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Royal_Badge_of_Wales_%282024_onwards%29.svg/960px-Royal_Badge_of_Wales_%282024_onwards%29.svg.png) and not a country or region, but definitely a nation - the Sámi flag: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Sami_flag.svg/250px-Sami_flag.svg.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Sami_flag.svg/250px-Sami_flag.svg.png) and the historic (ceremonial) County Durham: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Flag_of_County_Durham.svg/330px-Flag_of_County_Durham.svg.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Flag_of_County_Durham.svg/330px-Flag_of_County_Durham.svg.png) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/14 "2026-01-21T17:22:18Z")
There’s a proposed new Arkansas flag that is counter changed. I wish they’d just do it. The flag now has a Confederacy flavor that is off putting. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/15 "2026-01-21T17:33:19Z")
One more: Kirkcudbrightshire [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Flag_of_Kirkcudbrightshire.svg/120px-Flag_of_Kirkcudbrightshire.svg.png) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Flag_of_Kirkcudbrightshire.svg/120px-Flag_of_Kirkcudbrightshire.svg.png) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/16 "2026-01-21T21:35:31Z")
and even one star stands for the CSA 🤮 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/17 "2026-01-23T15:03:23Z")
I hate the Confederacy, but it _was_ an important part of Arkansas history. This New Zealand region has a counterchanged flag: [Otago - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otago) And these French Polynesian islands: [Gambier Islands - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambier_Islands) ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/18 "2026-01-23T15:16:03Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > I hate the Confederacy, but it _was_ an important part of Arkansas history. Just because something was an important part of history doesn’t mean it should be honored by being on a flag. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/19 "2026-01-23T18:22:57Z")
The joke I’ve heard about this is that there is supposedly a naval tradition of flying your flag upside down as a sign of distress, and Brits wanted a really subtle sign of distress. (Yes, I know, British ships don’t fly the Union Jack as a flag but rather the red or white ensign with the Union Jack in the canton…it’s a joke.) ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878/20 "2026-01-24T01:42:00Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > This New Zealand region has a counterchanged flag: [Otago - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otago) > > And these French Polynesian islands: [Gambier Islands - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambier_Islands) I’m afraid neither of those actually qualifies as counterchanged. The division line between the two sections needs to be across the thing (_charge_ in heraldry terms) counterchanged, so that half of it is one color and half the other. The Sámi flag is technically not one either, but that’s because it violates the rules of heraldry, having colors on colors. A counterchange should be between a color (red, green, blue, purple, black) and a metal (yellow, white). The yellow and green stripes just confuse the situation. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/counterchanged-flags/1026878.md?page=2)