# Does your city have a flag? What does it look like? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 19, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318 "2019-07-19T21:08:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/41 "2019-07-22T01:52:32Z")
I’m actually wearing a t-shirt of my city’s flag right now. [Indianapolis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Indianapolis) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/42 "2019-07-22T01:57:03Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’m actually wearing a t-shirt of my city’s flag right now. [Indianapolis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Indianapolis) Ooo… I like that one! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/43 "2019-07-22T03:09:08Z")
[The flag of St. Louis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_St._Louis). Two wavy lines that come together (the confluence of the Mississippio and Missouri Rivers) and a fleur de lis (the symbol of (St.) Louis IX, king of France.) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/44 "2019-07-22T03:21:30Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > My current city of residence, Cleveland, Ohio, has a flag, and it sucks - looks like France’s, but with the city seal on it. Borrrrrring: [Flag of Cleveland - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Cleveland) I agree. In my opinion, all flags with seals on them should be treated the same way as the Romanians dealt with the crest on the flag of the Socialist Republic of Romania, during the uprising against Ceausescu: [cut it out](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RomanianFlag-withHole.jpg)! > [@](#): > > Ohio has a great state flag (and I’d say that even if I didn’t live here). Concur! The swallowtail design is distinctive and the stars, stripes and buckeye really “pop”! > [@](#): > > Dear Lord, has the long-feared robot uprising already begun there…? . Now, now, I’m sure it was cutting edge graphic design in its time. Which I would estimate to have been the mid-sixties… > [@](#): > > Including in the state flag of Hawaii which, Angophile though I am, I hate: [Flag of Hawaii - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Hawaii) Why? > [@](#): > > Me likey. Nicely compliments the Maryland flag (which people either love or hate; I happen to love it): [Flag of Maryland - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Maryland) Agreed. I like heraldic banners and have always thought Maryland’s flag was a good one : eye-catching and memorable, in a good way. And now that I look again at the Jerusalem flag, I think that the crest (crest, not seal!) is referencing two other features of Jerusalem. The bacground, I’m guessing, is referring to the Wall on Temple Mount, and the leaves which frame it are likely referring to the Mount of Olives. Am I close, **Alessan**? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/45 "2019-07-22T03:25:33Z")
Found a better image of the [Regina flag](https://flages.fandom.com/wiki/Flag_of_Regina,_Saskatchewan?file=Ca-sk-re.gif). ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/46 "2019-07-22T03:52:07Z")
It may seem weird, but the City of Lethbridge’s flag is based on the American Stars and Stripes: > **[Flag of Lethbridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Lethbridge)** > > The flag of Lethbridge is the official flag of Lethbridge, Alberta, and was adopted in 1967, the year of Canada's centennial. It is based on the flag that was once flown at Fort Whoop-Up. > As a result of the Canadian Centennial in 1967, there was a resurgence of interest in Canadian history. Part of the interest in Lethbridge centred on a municipal flag. Artist Alex Johnston used a photograph of the flag that flew at Fort Whoop-Up in the late 19th century as the basis for his rendition of the mod... It makes sense, though: our city traces its history back to American whisky traders, who came into what is now southern Alberta, in about 1870, in order to trade with the local natives. Hence, “Fort Whoop-Up,” the name of one of the earliest settlements. The RCMP didn’t arrive to calm things down until 1874 or so. There is other symbolism present in Lethbridge’s flag, but it has been worked into a design that was obviously influenced by the Stars and Stripes. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/47 "2019-07-22T04:44:48Z")
[Johnny Carson] I did not know that! [/Johnny Carson] Thanks for the info, **Spoons**. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2019, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/48 "2019-07-22T04:57:28Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > And now that I look again at the Jerusalem flag, I think that the crest (crest, not seal!) is referencing two other features of Jerusalem. The bacground, I’m guessing, is referring to the Wall on Temple Mount, and the leaves which frame it are likely referring to the Mount of Olives. Am I close, **Alessan**? The background does indeed reference the Western/Wailing Wall - it even has smaller stones on top,[just like the wall itself.](https://www.haaretz.com/polopoly_fs/1.6312747.1532442920!/image/1029522070.jpg_gen/derivatives/headline_720x405/1029522070.jpg) The olive branches are more a general reference to the many olive trees native to the city and it’s surroundings, as well as the standard symbol of peace, which can be seen in many examples of Israeli heraldry, such as the [Emblem of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblem_of_Israel#/media/File:Emblem_of_Israel.svg) itself and the [IDF emblem.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Defense_Forces_Emblem#/media/File:Badge_of_the_Israel_Defense_Forces.new.svg) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/49 "2019-07-22T05:58:57Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > [Johnny Carson] I did not know that! [/Johnny Carson] > > Thanks for the info, **Spoons**. You’re quite welcome! You may also find it interesting to know that the name “Whoop-Up” survives to this day, in a re-creation of Fort Whoop-Up (a local tourist attraction), Whoop-Up Drive (a major city artery), and Whoop-Up Days (our version of the Calgary Stampede). Although Americans trading whisky to the natives may not be the most noble of beginnings, we are reminded of their role in founding what would become our city when we see our city’s flag. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2019, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/50 "2019-07-22T08:21:45Z")
We do, and it’s [SHIT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Cape_Town). What a fucking embarrassment. You know who have absolutely \*amazing \*flags? [Japanese cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_municipal_flags_of_Kant%C5%8D_region). Most of them are in the [\*mon \*style](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_(emblem)), so no wonder. Although, props to [Sakura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Sakura_Tochigi.svg)for going full, pink cock-and-balls… ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/51 "2019-07-22T08:44:59Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > We do, and it’s [SHIT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Cape_Town). What a fucking embarrassment. > > You know who have absolutely \*amazing \*flags? [Japanese cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_municipal_flags_of_Kant%C5%8D_region). Most of them are in the [\*mon \*style](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_(emblem)), so no wonder. > > Although, props to [Sakura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Sakura_Tochigi.svg)for going full, pink cock-and-balls… Those _are_ cool, and I really like the unity of theme it creates. Also, I now know what surely must have inspired a thousand [stock company logo designers](https://www.google.com/search?q=company+logo+ideas&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=isnv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim_KuXkMjjAhVXQkEAHfiNDywQ_AUoAXoECAwQAQ&biw=768&bih=1024). ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/52 "2019-07-22T11:34:19Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > [The flag of St. Louis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_St._Louis). Two wavy lines that come together (the confluence of the Mississippio and Missouri Rivers) and a fleur de lis (the symbol of (St.) Louis IX, king of France.) Nice. They have a “Y” river motif instead of the erroneous cross that Portland has. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/53 "2019-07-22T12:19:43Z")
We don’t have one in Bristol (England), which seems mighty unfair given how long Bristol has existed. We have a coat of arms and a [council logo](https://www.google.com/search?q=bristol+council+logo&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB766GB766&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjHgJWnwcjjAhW_QEEAHfDcAlsQ_AUIESgB&biw=1658&bih=866), if that counts. It’s got a boat and a castle, so could make a jaunty little number. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2019, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/54 "2019-07-22T15:41:01Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > …Including in the state flag of Hawaii which, Angophile though I am, I hate: [Flag of Hawaii - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Hawaii)… > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > …Why?.. Eh, just boring, uses two unimaginative and borrowed earlier symbols, and doesn’t distinctively say “Hawaii” in any way to me. I’m sure there’s some native Hawaiian symbol that could be the basis for a much more interesting flag. > [@Spoons](#): > > It may seem weird, but the City of Lethbridge’s flag is based on the American Stars and Stripes: > > [Flag of Lethbridge - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Lethbridge)… Hmm. Looks like something Mondrian or Frank Lloyd Wright might’ve designed. > [@MrDibble](#): > > We do, and it’s [SHIT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Cape_Town). What a fucking embarrassment. > > You know who have absolutely \*amazing \*flags? [Japanese cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_municipal_flags_of_Kant%C5%8D_region). Most of them are in the [\*mon \*style](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_(emblem)), so no wonder… I kind of like the 2003-2004 Cape Town flag. It’s different, at least, and the colors certainly pop on the white field. Never really cared for Japanese municipal flags, though. They’re so modern and bland and characterless they could just as easily be corporate flags. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/55 "2019-07-22T17:08:25Z")
An excellent TED talk on flags: [Why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you’ve never noticed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnv5iKB2hl4) As a counterpoint, I’ll link you to [the flag of Madison, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Madison,_Wisconsin): > [@Wikipedia](#): > > In a 2004 poll conducted by the North American Vexillological Association, the flag of Madison was rated 11th best of 150 major cities in the United States. (if you look up Madison on a map, you’ll understand the flag layout). Unfortunately I don’t live in Madison anymore, I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, [whose flag is considerably less noteworthy.](https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-mi-aa.html) ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/56 "2019-07-22T17:17:45Z")
[Ten Best US City Flags](https://flagpolesetc.com/blog/ten-best-city-flags-in-the-united-states) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/57 "2019-07-22T17:20:55Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > An excellent TED talk on flags: > [Why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you’ve never noticed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnv5iKB2hl4) > > As a counterpoint, I’ll link you to [the flag of Madison, Wisconsin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Madison,_Wisconsin): > > (if you look up Madison on a map, you’ll understand the flag layout). > > Unfortunately I don’t live in Madison anymore, I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, [whose flag is considerably less noteworthy.](https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-mi-aa.html) Very nice flag for Madison. I looked up that survey [and found the results here.](https://nava.org/digital-library/design/surveys/2004-American-City%20Flags-Survey.pdf) Looks like my love for the Chicago flag isn’t just local pride, as it finishes #2 on the survey, just behind Washington DC’s flag. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/58 "2019-07-22T17:40:23Z")
Some of my favorite city flags: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag\_of\_Washington%2C\_D.C](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Washington%2C_D.C). [Flag of Los Angeles - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Los_Angeles) [Flag of Seattle - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Seattle) [Flag of Easton, Pennsylvania - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Easton,_Pennsylvania) [Flag of St. Louis - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_St._Louis) I would like the Chicago flag better if the stripes were navy and not pale blue. > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > [Ten Best US City Flags](https://flagpolesetc.com/blog/ten-best-city-flags-in-the-united-states) The flag of Louisville has since changed, and not for the better IMHO: [Flag of Louisville, Kentucky - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Louisville%2C_Kentucky) ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/59 "2019-07-22T17:54:24Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > [Flag of Tel Aviv.](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A1%D7%9E%D7%9C_%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%A8_%D7%AA%D7%9C_%D7%90%D7%91%D7%99%D7%91-%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%95#/media/%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A5:Flag_of_Tel_Aviv.svg) > > It’s basically the Israeli flag with the seal replacing the star, which is common in Israeli municipalities. The seal itself, IMHO, is a bit of a mess, with a (metaphorical) lighthouse, Herzl’s seven stars placed in the least symmetrical manner possible, and a quote from the Book of Jeremiah - “I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt”, which in Hebrew is just two words. > > [Jerusalem](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A1%D7%9E%D7%9C_%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%A8_%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D#/media/%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A5:Flag_of_Jerusalem.svg)and my hometown of [Haifa](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A1%D7%9E%D7%9C_%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%A8_%D7%97%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%94#/media/%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A5:Flag_of_Haifa.svg) have much better flags, IMHO. At least the Tel Aviv flag is colorful. But with all the regularity of the other elements, the asymmetry of the stars really stands out. Is that a constellation, like the Southern Cross on the flags of Australia and New Zealand, or Alaska’s Big Dipper? Haifa’s flag really kicks ass. ---
**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:** [July 22, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318/60 "2019-07-22T18:21:10Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Eh, just boring, uses two unimaginative and borrowed earlier symbols, and doesn’t distinctively say “Hawaii” in any way to me. I’m sure there’s some native Hawaiian symbol that could be the basis for a much more interesting flag. There is a Native Hawaiian flag, the [Kanaka Maoli flag](https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-hi_hi.html#kanaka). The shield bit is nice, the stripes are positively offensive. > [@](#): > > Never really cared for Japanese municipal flags, though. They’re so modern That’s ironic, given _mon_ are basically the Japanese equivalent of medieval coats of arms. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-city-have-a-flag-what-does-it-look-like/837318.md?page=4)