Generally, flags and national symbols are very important as they represent and symbolizes a country. In many countries flag have also a special day – in Poland it is celebrating on 2 nd of May.
During some holidays such as Independence Day on 11 th of November, Warsaw Uprising on 1 st of August or many others we can observe streets covered with flags, symbols and national colors. This shows how important national symbols are and how much people are connected to symbols of their countries.
Study of flags and symbolism is called Vexillology.
Roman Mars is professional radio producer which is also keen on flags design and in his TED talk he deal with the issue of the worst designed flags. He reveals five rules about how to design a proper flag and believes that those rules should be applied to design in total.
I encourage you to answer below questions:
1. Would you change something in flag design of your country?
2. Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
3. What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
During some holidays such as Independence Day on 11 th of November, Warsaw Uprising on 1 st of August or many others we can observe streets covered with flags, symbols and national colors. This shows how important national symbols are and how much people are connected to symbols of their countries.
Study of flags and symbolism is called Vexillology.
Roman Mars is professional radio producer which is also keen on flags design and in his TED talk he deal with the issue of the worst designed flags. He reveals five rules about how to design a proper flag and believes that those rules should be applied to design in total.
I encourage you to answer below questions:
1. Would you change something in flag design of your country?
2. Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
3. What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
Comments
I would not, it is simple and I would leave it as it is, but I would change the flag of Monaco and Indonesia so that they are more different from our flag :D
2. Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
No, I do not. I think I don't need to present my patriotism in such a way.
3. What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
Hmm, I think flags should be without barely visible symbols.
Yes, there is always a flag on my balcony, especially now in November.
I don't think I have an idea what else could be added to this list, everything that is most important has been taken
In this examples difference between Monaco and Indonesia flags is even less distinctive as the only difference is proportion and symbolism of colors which are not so obvious without specific knowledge.
Personally I just love my city's flag. It reflects its history so well, and each element there has a significantly deep meaning. Here, you can see for yourself: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Flag_of_Dnipropetrovsk_%28before_2012%29.jpg
The bottom blue curvature is what I like the most about it -- it represents the waters of a Dnipro -- the river, that gave life to Ukraine many centuries ago (the location of Kiev, the first capitol of the Kievan rus, was chosen because of the river's close proximity). The white background stands for clear mind, innocence and bright ideas.
In the middle of the flag is simplified coat of arms. The deep blue colour has several meanings. First of all -- it is one of colours of a national Ukrainian flag, thus it resembles the bond between the city and the country's symbolism. Secondly -- it is the main colour of the Yekaterinoslav Governorate coat of arms. Dnipropetrovsk was named in honour of the empress Catherine the Great (her palace can be still found and visited in the city). At the times of the Great Russian empire Yekaterinoslav was the second capitol, and the empress spend a lot of her time there.
Finally, the silver sabre and arrow crossed under three stars. Sabre -- the traditional weapon of the cossacks, significantly important figures in the history of Ukraine. Silver colour represents clear mind and purpose. Stars represent the readiness of the cossacks to protect the city any time, even under the cloak of darkness. Ironically, after the events of 2014 insurrection, the Dnipro is now just at the new border of the country, a couple hundred kilometers away from the enemy.
As regards of the design rules presented by mr. Mars I think that my city's flag is perfect. It is distinctive, simple, has no seals or writing. Although, the sabre and arrow have a little details on them, they are still recognizable. What is your opinion about it?
As you said, it is simple and has no seals or writing but use meaningful symbols and colors which refers to what they symbolize. I think it automatically create a feeling of civic pride that the city you are living in is symbolised by properly design symbol.
Thank you so much for sharing your city flag and for its symbolism explanation :)
I celebrate national holidays the most and the flag is the most important part of 11 November and I always use it.
I think that no new products are needed for flags, they are simply unnecessary
No, I think it looks great with it's simplicity and symbolism.
2. Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
Unfortunately no.
3. What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
Nothing I guess - I would rather say, that awareness about flags symbolism among the people should be higher
Certainly I would not change anything in our flag, because it has historical and patriotic value.
Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
I always celebrate if I only have occasions. It seems to me that every patriot should have the flag hang in front of the house, as it is in the United States.
What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
At the moment I have no idea what would be added to the Roman Mars list,
i think everything is here
No, I think it is fine and it shouldn't be too "frisky". It has to be minimalistic and it is great as it is right now for me.
2. Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
Yes. I always try to remember about the most important national days and celebrate them.
3. What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
Well, I think that it is okay as it is - I do not see any improvements for it
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Now, about the questions?
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1. Would you change something in flag design of your country?
I wouldn't, it is familiar to me and for citizens of my country, we understand what this flag meaning because it has a connection with our history.
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2. Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
No, I don't celebrate national holidays, because part of my heart carrying my country flag, so I don't need to celebrate national holidays in specific days.
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3. What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
the officials of the flags (country/cities) design must interest at design such as designs of international brands logo.
Honestly, I don't know. Many countries on the flag have 2 or 3 colors or geometric shapes and I like it.
2. Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
No. But that doesn't mean I don't love my country.
3. What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
Nothing needs to be added because the flag is the identification of the country.
I love my country and it's flag, and I usually celebrate national holidays, but in my own way. Eg. I put the small flag or another national symbol somewhere, and that's it. I'm not going to go and walk in marches with a big flag and singing national songs.
Presented rules are simple and in my opinion, enough. Flags should be as simple as possible. Few colors in simple shapes, and that's it. Some big, characteristic, easy to draw symbol is okay, but nothing more.
I totally agree that every patriot should hang a flag in front of the house. I heard that some years ago it was very common to see flags on each balcony, today - unfortuanatelly not.
Despite past discussions, the question of what the flag should be, is relevant today. During the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, I noticed, some organizations used a yellow-and-blue flag, which supposedly symbolizes the sun and water, and they assured - if flip over, then "the water could put out the light". However, supporters of the state flag claim that blue is a sky, and yellow - ears of wheat. To sum up , I think, our flag has long history and changing dramatically design of it - rather bad idea.
Yes, I celebrate our national holidays and pretty regular I can wave a flag.
To be honest , I wouldn't add anything , because design of a national flag is a private affair of the country.
2. No, I don’t celebrate the national holidays.
3. No improvements are needed.
Yes, I do. I celebrate Independence Day almost every year. The flag is essential.
I think that everything what is the most important and how the ideal flag of the country should look like has already been said by Roman Mars.
From the other hand, historical value is the most important and if society is used to specific flag design it shouldn't be changed just to make it more simple.
It is more about being aware that particular day is special and remember why it is so special and thank to who. It is more about commemorating historical events and people who took part but the way of doing it should be personal choice. Happy to hear that you remember about national holidays and celebrate them in your own way
The flag colors are one and should always be in our hearts. This is our story and we can't change it.
I like national holidays but I'm rarely on marches or other festivities.
I assume that the changes even in order of colors would be confusing for people and may lead to many misunderstandings as now it is rooted in your culture and traditions. I agree with you that any changes are not a good idea.
2. I do celebrate some national holidays, like the Independence Day for example, but I do not fly a flag. There is nothing wrong in it, but I’m just not doing it.
3. I think that most of the important ideas were represented and I don’t think I could think about new ones.
The worst weakness the 5 rules of vexillology has is that those same 5 rules can really turn against you, look at half of the flags of Europe, they look so ridiculously boring that I'd actually be a bit ashamed about them. Yes, they have followed all 5, but was it worth it?
But then, who really cares if flags look ugly or not...
I basicly have no idea what would I change, I'm not very creative :D I think that polish flag is just okay, so simple with 2 colors that it doesn't need change :D
2. Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
Hard to say.. Yes and No... On the building which I live in there is always the polish flag at the time of national holidays. But as I'm living in flat I don't fly our flag myself. I would do if I were living in the house.
3. What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
I would give freedom. It would be a good way to rise creativeness :D For example: Japanese flag with katanas and shurikens. Imagine that :D I don't really know, it's a weird topic to discuss about I don't really know WHO is standing behind making an official flag for the country, but I would give such an artist a freedom, to express it's country to the fullest.
I like our country's flag, it's simple and yet pretty powerful. I wouldn't want to change anything about it. I personally don't use the flag to celebrate, but it's always nice to see them during manifestations - like today's Independence Day march.
If I could change something in flag design of Ukraine I will change nothing. It's perfect! :)
And I have no idea what to add to Roman Mars list about proper design, sorry.
Most likely no. Ukrainian flag is quite simple, clear and recognizable.
> Do you celebrate national holidays by flying a flag of your country?
Usually not. I do not see much patriotism in this act.
> What other rules would you add to Roman Mars list about proper design?
Probably nothing. Roman is a professional designer of flags, I trust him :)
Unfortunately, I don't celebrate national holidays. Not because I don't like my country, my city or people that leave there. I don't celebrate national holidays because often they have political context, there are always groups of people with one fake idea - if you go to the parade you are a true patriot of you country. So if you are a true patriot of your country you don't need to clean after yourself.