# Why are all the most beautiful flags symbols of oppressive regimes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 5, 2014, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557 "2014-09-05T05:25:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/21 "2014-09-06T03:23:29Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > I think Iceland has the nicest flag. [Iceland](http://www.enchantedlearning.com/europe/iceland/flag/Flagbig.GIF). [The Anti-Norway](http://www.enchantedlearning.com/europe/norway/flag/Flagbig.GIF). ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2014, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/22 "2014-09-06T04:13:10Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Spain Dunnow, man… I mean, the bicolor itself is nicely recognizable, but the squiggle in the middle tends to be wrong _a lot_ when reproduced by non-official sources. Either it gets moved to the center (which isn’t that much of a deal) or the wrong version is used; most commonly, an old version (I’ve seen it with different versions of the arms of Emperor Charles - the bicolor didn’t exist back then); sometimes, a region or the columns get lost. And that’s with the current coat of arms being simpler than about any previous version. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2014, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/23 "2014-09-06T11:14:46Z")
Because tyrannies are more likely to be driven by the singular will of a demagogue, or inherit the trappings of propaganda-minded revolutionaries; either way, their imagery would be more likely to have a strong, singular artistic vision, perhaps even deliberately formulated to be viscerally visually appealing, yet still remaining recognizable while being widely malleable. [Good branding, in other words.](http://www.zazzle.com/soviet+gifts) “Nice” countries, on the other hand, are more likely to have their flags designed by committee, with a lot of squabbling and bickering that only produces a flag that, while bland, doesn’t offend anyone—or at least, leaves everyone equally dissatisfied—and, likely, on a deadline, and with an eye for making it as cheap as possible; or, possibly, just by some old men without a spark of creativity in their dried up old heads, but strict devotion to the rules of vexillology, regardless of whether the final result is actually particularly inspiring, recognizable, or even practical. …now, is that theory actually true? Pffft, who knows? Or cares? I just made it up because it sounded good and halfway plausible. Be my guest, 'gussy it up and use it on dates or family gatherings to sound smart. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/24 "2014-09-06T14:31:30Z")
Old Glory outdoes them all 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/25 "2014-09-07T11:00:56Z")
What’s “beautiful” is subjective. **Subjective**. ---
**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:** [September 7, 2014, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/26 "2014-09-07T13:03:42Z")
> [@ILikeForeignLanguages](#): > > Apartheid South Africa - the Oranje, Blanje, Blou [That flag](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_South_Africa#mediaviewer/File:Flag_of_South_Africa_1928-1994.svg)is an ugly, cluttered, poorly-designed and unheraldic piece of shit just taken by itself, never mind compared to our [lovely new flag](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Flag_of_South_Africa.svg). ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/27 "2014-09-07T14:17:15Z")
Molvania (not a real country) > **[Molvanîa | Flag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molvan%C3%AEa#Flag)** > > The flag of Molvanîa is called the "Trikolor" despite the fact it only contains two colours: red and yellow. During the Soviet occupation, the flag had a yellow hammer and sickle in the top left corner. After the fall of communism, Molvanîa became one of the few ex-Soviet states to retain the hammer and sickle, but added a trowel into the symbol. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/28 "2014-09-07T14:43:49Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > I’m an art director designer (and complete non-Nazi), and I would say that there’s little doubt that Nazi Germany’s graphic design, uniform design, etc. was really, seriously visually impressive. > > [This is a Nazi “graphic standards” manual that was recently re-discovered.](http://designobserver.com/article.php?id=24358) They put a lot of effort into this stuff, for sure. > > I also think it’s pretty possible that this stuff, in hindsight, has a sort of “taboo” appeal that makes it stand out even more. That’s why biker gangs co-opted a lot of the imagery…it sends a message of being badass and anti-establishment in a very strong way. > > From [this story](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hitler-as-art-director-what-the-nazis-style-guide-says-about-the-power-of-design/) on the same manual discussed above: Fascinating. Does the US military have one? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/29 "2014-09-07T14:50:47Z")
Check out some the European regional flags - found towards the bottom of this wiki page: [Flags of Europe - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_Europe) I like the Friesland and the Basque flags. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/30 "2014-09-07T15:37:06Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > [That flag](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_South_Africa#mediaviewer/File:Flag_of_South_Africa_1928-1994.svg)is an ugly, cluttered, poorly-designed and unheraldic piece of shit just taken by itself, never mind compared to our [lovely new flag](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Flag_of_South_Africa.svg). Amen.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/31 "2014-09-07T16:59:11Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > From [this story](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hitler-as-art-director-what-the-nazis-style-guide-says-about-the-power-of-design/) on the same manual discussed above [Hugo Boss](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Boss_%28fashion_designer%29) was very much a Nazi, and ran a sweatshop (using slave labour) where they _manufactured_ Nazi uniforms, one of many. But he didn’t design them, [Karl Diebitsch](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Diebitsch) did. ---
**Author:** ![SpeedwayRyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@SpeedwayRyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpeedwayRyan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/32 "2014-09-08T17:22:52Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Fascinating. Does the US military have one? Given the miltary’s penchant for written doumentation and doing things in a supremely uniform fashion, I’m sure they do – although I’m not sure of the specifics, I wouldn’t be suprised if it is FAR more compartmentalized these days. I would guess there’s one or more separate manuals on printed material guidelines, digital creative guidelines, uniform guidelines, vehicle graphic guidelines, etc. I doubt if you’ll find one big comprehensive “guide to everything” today. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/33 "2014-09-08T18:02:22Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Among the most beautiful flags I would list: > United States 🙂 > Sri Lanka > Brazil > Spain > Greece > Israel > Kazakhstan > Turkmenistan > Philippines > Brunei > Montenegro I’m as patriotic as the next 'Murikan, but I’ve never thought the Stars and Stripes were all that beautiful, considered just as a design. Too busy, and there’s a conflict between the dark blue and white cube of the canton and the red and white stripes. I’ve always liked simple, symmetrical flags like those of Canada, Ireland, and the Czech Republic. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/34 "2014-09-08T20:11:34Z")
I realize I’m biased, but I personally think we in Canada have an excellent flag; it uses on two colours and is relatively simple, but it’s strikingly different from any other flag and instantly recognizable. I did like the old Soviet flag. The North Korean flag’s ugly as hell and the old South Africa flag was hideous. Flags should not have OTHER flags in them, should not have too many colours, and should be easily drawn freehand. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/35 "2014-09-08T20:22:54Z")
It’s not exactly an oppressive regime, but I’ve thought that [Argentina](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Flag_of_Argentina.svg) had a pretty rocking flag. Mostly I just like the color scheme; arguably it would be better if the Sun didn’t have a face. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/36 "2014-09-08T20:22:58Z")
How come this website hasn’t been linked to yet? [http://www.otago.ac.nz/philosophy/Staff/JoshParsons/flags/ratings-a.html](http://www.otago.ac.nz/philosophy/Staff/JoshParsons/flags/ratings-a.html) The maple leaf is a little meh. I think the Israeli and Japanese flags did a better job of putting something meaningful in the middle of a white space. Stylized shield/star of David, symbol of our people as it struggles against a more powerful hostile world. Stylized rising sun, symbol of our rising nation. A leaf from the tree that gives us the syrup we pour on the snow to make taffy. (Sorry.) > [@VarlosZ](#): > > It’s not exactly an oppressive regime, but I’ve thought that [Argentina](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1a/Flag_of_Argentina.svg) had a pretty rocking flag. Mostly I just like the color scheme; arguably it would be better if the Sun didn’t have a face. [![](http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111117164139/telletubbies/images/e/eb/The_Sun.jpg) ](http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111117164139/telletubbies/images/e/eb/The_Sun.jpg) [http://www.elginpk.com/worsley1213\_2/agerbo/tubbie.jpg](http://www.elginpk.com/worsley1213_2/agerbo/tubbie.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/37 "2014-09-08T20:28:43Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I realize I’m biased, but I personally think we in Canada have an excellent flag; it uses on two colours and is relatively simple, but it’s strikingly different from any other flag and instantly recognizable. > > I did like the old Soviet flag. The North Korean flag’s ugly as hell and the old South Africa flag was hideous. Flags should not have OTHER flags in them, should not have too many colours, and should be easily drawn freehand. Then you must loathe the Turkmenistan flag! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/38 "2014-09-08T20:52:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **RickJay** : > > I realize I’m biased, but I personally think we in Canada have an excellent flag; it uses on two colours and is relatively simple, but it’s strikingly different from any other flag and instantly recognizable. As an American, I’ve got to say that I agree. A flag should be simple enough to take in at a glance while it’s blowing in the wind, easy enough that a five-year-old can draw it recognizably, and distinctive of the place that it’s the flag of (that is, if you didn’t already know that that was the place’s flag, you should be able to guess). Canada’s meets all of those criteria. The US flag, meanwhile, is just too busy. When was the last time you saw someone draw a picture of it, and include all 50 stars and 13 stripes? We do have some good state flags, though, like New Mexico and Alaska (and honorable mention to my native Ohio, for breaking out of the rectangular box, but it’s still a bit too busy and non-distinctive). On the other hand, though, how many state flags consist of a dark blue field with the state seal in the middle of it? Seals have no business on any flag (they all look alike at a glance, circle-with-some-random-details-in-it), and putting them all on the same background just makes it worse. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/39 "2014-09-09T03:20:42Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The US flag, meanwhile, is just too busy. When was the last time you saw someone draw a picture of it, and include all 50 stars and 13 stripes? We do have some good state flags, though, like New Mexico and Alaska (and honorable mention to my native Ohio, for breaking out of the rectangular box, but it’s still a bit too busy and non-distinctive). On the other hand, though, how many state flags consist of a dark blue field with the state seal in the middle of it? Seals have no business on any flag (they all look alike at a glance, circle-with-some-random-details-in-it), and putting them all on the same background just makes it worse. South Carolina also has a great flag. Canadian provincial flags are mostly as terrible as US state flags. I guess sub national flags are just the B team or something. Quebec is very nice, most of the others are dreadful. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557/40 "2014-09-09T03:26:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > We do have some good state flags, though, like New Mexico and Alaska (and honorable mention to my native Ohio, for breaking out of the rectangular box, but it’s still a bit too busy and non-distinctive). I still get the giggles when I remember the outrage about [Obama and the Ohio flag](http://mediamatters.org/research/2008/10/16/radio-host-bob-grant-asserted-that-obama-create/145712). But I always thought the circle looked like a stuffed olive. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-most-beautiful-flags-symbols-of-oppressive-regimes/697557.md?page=3)