NationStates

(My apologies if this thread is in the wrong place.)

For many Americans, the state flag is an important part of their culture and their heritage. Iconic symbols on their flags may be repeatedly used in merchandise, in sports, and in state government symbols. Flags like these have a long heritage, one that extends back for decades if not centuries. The lone star of Texas, for example, or the crescent in South Carolina's flag. These have long been associated with those states, and the people of those regions often look at them and think of their home. In contrast, a large majority of states just have their seals on a colored background, and are generally quite unremarkable.

So for all of my fellow Americans on NS, I ask this question. What do you think of your state flag? Do you like it, or do you wish it would be changed? Does it make you think of your home and the culture of it, or does seeing it just make you think of colored cloth? If your state flag isn't your favorite flag, which one is?

The flag of South Carolina is something I grew up around, and whenever I see it, I think of my home state and all the people who live in it. I think of the various cultures that have intermingled in the low county, and of all the food and spices I love so much. The crescent reminds me of how we fought for our freedom from the British, and the palmetto tree reminds me of our many beaches, and of the tree itself, of course. It view it as one of the best USA state flags, and my personal favorite amongst them all.

Massachusetts used to have two different state flags, and I wish we had kept the stupid-looking one with the pine tree instead of the one with the state seal. I like the symbolism of pine trees. They are a symbol of New England, but they also represent long life in both European and Asian tradition. For example, that's why they are used as Christmas trees. They also turn up in traditional Chinese art, in poems in The Tale of Genji, etc. with similar symbolism. I like the fact that it's both a regional symbol of New England and something with an international meaning. New England pine tree flags are amateurish and stupid-looking from a graphic design point of view, but I like the history and symbolism.

The modern state flag is OK -- we at least have a decent state seal -- but it doesn't have as much quirky personality or cool symbolism as the dorky pine tree flags.

USS Monitor wrote:Massachusetts used to have two different state flags, and I wish we had kept the stupid-looking one with the pine tree instead of the one with the state seal. I like the symbolism of pine trees. They are a symbol of New England, but they also represent long life in both European and Asian tradition. For example, that's why they are used as Christmas trees. They also turn up in traditional Chinese art, in poems in The Tale of Genji, etc. with similar symbolism. I like the fact that it's both a regional symbol of New England and something with an international meaning. New England pine tree flags are amateurish and stupid-looking from a graphic design point of view, but I like the history and symbolism.

The modern state flag is OK -- we at least have a decent state seal -- but it doesn't have as much quirky personality or cool symbolism as the dorky pine tree flags.

No such thing, especially on a flag.

I suppose my state flag would be a bit of cardboard with "FOREIGN DEVIL" written on it.

Sovaal wrote:

USS Monitor wrote:Massachusetts used to have two different state flags, and I wish we had kept the stupid-looking one with the pine tree instead of the one with the state seal. I like the symbolism of pine trees. They are a symbol of New England, but they also represent long life in both European and Asian tradition. For example, that's why they are used as Christmas trees. They also turn up in traditional Chinese art, in poems in The Tale of Genji, etc. with similar symbolism. I like the fact that it's both a regional symbol of New England and something with an international meaning. New England pine tree flags are amateurish and stupid-looking from a graphic design point of view, but I like the history and symbolism.

The modern state flag is OK -- we at least have a decent state seal -- but it doesn't have as much quirky personality or cool symbolism as the dorky pine tree flags.

No such thing, especially on a flag.

Seals are generally a thing that shouldn't go on flags. If the symbol was made larger, the original flag would've looked better than the current one, or perhaps they could've used the naval ensign.

The Palmetto wrote:

Sovaal wrote:No such thing, especially on a flag.

Seals are generally a thing that shouldn't go on flags. If the symbol was made larger, the original flag would've looked better than the current one, or perhaps they could've used the naval ensign.

I'd rather states come up with more original designs, similar to Texas' or Ohio's flag.

Florida's state flag is alright.

I don't really give a major fuck about my regional flag tbh. Nice design, but my city flag is way cooler.

Risottia wrote:I don't really give a major fuck about my regional flag tbh. Nice design, but my city flag is way cooler.

What is this city flag? I've heard of a few places that have cities or counties with better flags.

Sovaal wrote:

The Palmetto wrote:
Seals are generally a thing that shouldn't go on flags. If the symbol was made larger, the original flag would've looked better than the current one, or perhaps they could've used the naval ensign.

I'd rather states come up with more original designs, similar to Texas' or Ohio's flag.

I agree.

Just a seal on a background, with one extremely ugly choice of yellow for the back drop.

Sovaal wrote:

The Palmetto wrote:
Seals are generally a thing that shouldn't go on flags. If the symbol was made larger, the original flag would've looked better than the current one, or perhaps they could've used the naval ensign.

I'd rather states come up with more original designs, similar to Texas' or Ohio's flag.

That's why we should have kept the stupid flag with the pine tree.

South Carolina flag best flag? No? Good symbolism of it's history? Anyone?

Risottia wrote:I don't really give a major fuck about my regional flag tbh. Nice design, but my city flag is way cooler.

So what does your city flag look like.

Our Capital cities flag is really nice looking -
https://previews.123rf.com/images/prome ... rchivo.jpg

Indo-Japanese Separatist Districts wrote:South Carolina flag best flag? No? Good symbolism of it's history? Anyone?

(Are you asking what the symbolism is or is the point flying over my head?)

Indo-Japanese Separatist Districts wrote:South Carolina flag best flag? No? Good symbolism of it's history? Anyone?

New Mexico, Arizona, and Maryland have better state flags.

USS Monitor wrote:

Indo-Japanese Separatist Districts wrote:South Carolina flag best flag? No? Good symbolism of it's history? Anyone?

New Mexico, Arizona, and Maryland have better state flags.

The SC flag is kinda ugly, I'd rank most original state flags above it.

USS Monitor wrote:

Indo-Japanese Separatist Districts wrote:South Carolina flag best flag? No? Good symbolism of it's history? Anyone?

New Mexico, Arizona, and Maryland have better state flags.

...shoot.

The Palmetto wrote:

Indo-Japanese Separatist Districts wrote:South Carolina flag best flag? No? Good symbolism of it's history? Anyone?

(Are you asking what the symbolism is or is the point flying over my head?)

i think the point flew overhead.

Valrifell wrote:

USS Monitor wrote:
New Mexico, Arizona, and Maryland have better state flags.

The SC flag is kinda ugly, I'd rank most original state flags above it.

W R O N G

I will say that those other flags are really nice, though, and Maryland's is a really good example of historical symbolism showing up in a flag.

Indo-Japanese Separatist Districts wrote:

USS Monitor wrote:
New Mexico, Arizona, and Maryland have better state flags.

...shoot.
quote="The Palmetto";p="32260858"]

Indo-Japanese Separatist Districts wrote:South Carolina flag best flag? No? Good symbolism of it's history? Anyone?

(Are you asking what the symbolism is or is the point flying over my head?)

i think the point flew overhead.[/quote]

The point of that post bounced off of me like a British cannonball at Fort Moultrie.

The Palmetto wrote:(My apologies if this thread is in the wrong place.)

For many Americans, the state flag is an important part of their culture and their heritage. Iconic symbols on their flags may be repeatedly used in merchandise, in sports, and in state government symbols. Flags like these have a long heritage, one that extends back for decades if not centuries. The lone star of Texas, for example, or the crescent in South Carolina's flag. These have long been associated with those states, and the people of those regions often look at them and think of their home. In contrast, a large majority of states just have their seals on a colored background, and are generally quite unremarkable.

So for all of my fellow Americans on NS, I ask this question. What do you think of your state flag? Do you like it, or do you wish it would be changed? Does it make you think of your home and the culture of it, or does seeing it just make you think of colored cloth? If your state flag isn't your favorite flag, which one is?

The flag of South Carolina is something I grew up around, and whenever I see it, I think of my home state and all the people who live in it. I think of the various cultures that have intermingled in the low county, and of all the food and spices I love so much. The crescent reminds me of how we fought for our freedom from the British, and the palmetto tree reminds me of our many beaches, and of the tree itself, of course. It view it as one of the best USA state flags, and my personal favorite amongst them all.

That's not true at all in Pennsylvania. I doubt most people here even know our state has a flag. Its one of those generic state flags with a blue field and the coat of arms of the state in the middle, which from a distance just looks like a blob. I think our state flag should be changed so that it is green on the bottom half, white on the top half, with a blue keystone in the middle. People would use and recongize it more, just like other iconic state flags.

My state's flag is a bit generic, the only time you see it is on schools and government buildings.

It's the state's Coat of Arms on a blue field. I live next to Maryland and they love to flaunt their flag. It's a very unique, =bold flag.

Auzkhia wrote:My state's flag is a bit generic, the only time you see it is on schools and government buildings.

It's the state's Coat of Arms on a blue field. I live next to Maryland and they love to flaunt their flag. It's a very unique, =bold flag.

Are you a fellow Pennsylvanian?

Quintipoli wrote:

Auzkhia wrote:My state's flag is a bit generic, the only time you see it is on schools and government buildings.

It's the state's Coat of Arms on a blue field. I live next to Maryland and they love to flaunt their flag. It's a very unique, =bold flag.

Are you a fellow Pennsylvanian?

Yes, lived here for most of my life.

My birth state of Arizona has a more unique flag.

USS Monitor wrote:

Indo-Japanese Separatist Districts wrote:South Carolina flag best flag? No? Good symbolism of it's history? Anyone?

New Mexico, Arizona, and Maryland have better state flags.

As someone from New Mexico, can confirm. The design is simplistic, but striking and unique. It's also heavily steeped in symbolism and history. Even by today's standards, it's a wonderful piece of graphic art.

Auzkhia wrote:My state's flag is a bit generic, the only time you see it is on schools and government buildings.

It's the state's Coat of Arms on a blue field. I live next to Maryland and they love to flaunt their flag. It's a very unique, =bold flag.

Maryland probably has one the best state flags, to be honest. As you said, it's really bold and unique, while also being a good reminder of the heritage of the Maryland people.

It's kinda obvious, but states with better flags are more likely to have civilians hoisting them and identifying with them.

Auzkhia wrote:

Quintipoli wrote:Are you a fellow Pennsylvanian?

Yes, lived here for most of my life.

My birth state of Arizona has a more unique flag.

What do you think of my redesign proposal? (White on the top half, Green on the bottom half, blue keystone in the middle) (I cant upload it for some reason)