The poll is up. Please vote for you preferred entry until 15 April 2023, 05:30 UTC.
Weekly Flag Challenge: Discussion & Entries
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Thank you! That was a rather close fight. I'll come up with the challenge later today.
EDIT: Because I'm stuck in a certain rabbit hole, I'm taking everyone with me.
FLAG CHALLENGE #286: Into the Virtual Rabbit Hole
They came out of nowhere, out of the virtual black hole. Where there were few, many now take the stage. Mysterious personalities hidden behind digital avatars, the VTubers now dominate real-space. Mortal men sought to find an explanation, from diabolical cults to the warping of the metaphysical world. But whoever - or whatever they are - they have taken over the world as we know it, building their sinister, cyberpunk dystopias to the adoration of millions...
Design a flag based on a VTuber personality. The flag could be for a simple fan club, lands based on the fictional lore of the VTuber or even functioning (or dysfunctional) states in the real world that the VTuber had somehow taken over. You can either choose to base the flag on an existing VTuber personality or make one up on your own. If it's an original character, please give a brief outline of the VTuber. Flags based on more than one VTuber is also ok.
Submissions Open: Now
Submissions Close:
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Well, since I have been in the rabbit hole for like 3 years now so might as well throw my hat in the ring.
The City of Stars:
In the not so distant Cyberpunk future of 20XX the traditional nation state is no longer the sole type of sovereign authority. Of course most will think of the "Mega-corps" who have established their rule in various places on Earth much like the East India Company of old. Workers Unions and Cooperatives of similar scales compete against them. Voluntary Peoples Associations, be they capitalistic or socialistic have succeeded in something that might be recognized as Anarchism in some regions and there have even been whole societies existing solely in virtual reality that have become sovereign entities. However weirdest of non-traditional political authorities to have established themselves in the physical world have been Vtubers. As dozens of Vtubers, be they independent or affliated with an agency/corporation, have established their own sovereign states. Having seized control of territories ranging from small islands, whole cities to small countries.
One of these "Sovereign Virtual Youtubers" is Hoshimachi Suisei, originally an independent Vtuber who later joined, and remains affliated with Hololive of Cover Corp. She has established a city state in the Japanese Archipelago, populated mostly by her fans (but has also become a popular immigration spot for many people who were overworked in their previous countries due to the comfortable work hours in the city, starting at 3pm and only a 3 hour workday). Officially known as the "Hoshimachi Nation" with Hoshimachi (星街 meaning star and city) being name of both the city and the country. She is the sole head of state and government styled "Prime Minister", thought political scientists consider her to be more of an absolute monarch than a parliamentary head of government (and while it might simply be aesthetics, one should note that her most commonly seen official outfits possesses two small crowns worked into her beret). As many newly built cities utilising the wonders of Cyberpunk technology the city has many peculiarities. The most significant of which is that ever since it's foundation sun has never once risen over it, as the nation exists in a state of eternal night. Despite this agriculture is still practiced and people are kept fed through Blue Rice, which can subsist only on moon and starlight (developed by Hakui Labs, operated by Professor Hakui Koyori, another Hololive talent and member of Secret Society HoloX). Somehow, despite the lack of sunlight and an onlly 3 hour long workday work productivity has increased in comparison to Japan of 2020. As for the economy, outside of tourism, export of Blue Rice, Hoshimachi Suisei merchandise, licensing of her music and donations by her many fans winning the lotteries has been officially stated to be a source of revenue by a press release from the Prime Minister. A notable tourist spot is the Hoshimachi Park, home to a concert venue where there is always a Hoshimachi Suisei concert going (mostly through AI replications or recordings of previous concerts but new live concerts are also held quite often, with at least one per year). Other attractions of the Park being parades and sessions of being chased by an axe wielding Hoshimachi.
Now, as for the flag. The flag shown here is the national flag. The proportions of which are 2-3. The design is a dark blue background with a gold ten pointed star in the canton (constructed from a five pointed star on top of an upside down five pointed star)* and a light blue "tail" extending to the bottom right corner of the flag, dividing the flag diagonally. The flag is meant to evocate a comet streaking across the night sky, as comet is the meaning of "Suisei". With it more abstractly symbolising a drive to advance ever onwards and upwards, towards future success and prosperity.
*: inspired by the brooch? on her tie, which is also visible on the bow on her belt in her default outfit, same star is also visible on most her alternate outfits.
**: the shades of dark and light blue sampled from her concept art.
***: on a side note there is this star with waves (stylized comet from front?) symbol she has, which much like that multilayered 10 pointed star originated in her times as an indie. Which is in many of her outfits, For example on her necktie and knee-high stockings in her default outfit. I considered including it in the flag but thought that would make it too busy. But I think in this scenario that symbol could be the charge of a personal royal/prime-ministerial flag, probably white or gold on a similar dark blue field.
While I mostly chose Suisei because I just like her a lot, I was also reminded of this clip when I saw the challenge of "Vtuber (national) flag", despite Vtuber's with princess/queen etc. lores would have probably been a more obvious choice. It was the source for the most of the details I mentioned about the country.
Concept art by Teshima Nari. Source of the dark and light blue shades I used in the flag, as well as serving as an example of what I am talking about with the crowns on the beret, the multilayered star brooch thingie and that star symbol on her necktie.
(Speaking of vtubers, I have to say, after having looked up and not found one in the past I have been tempted to open a Vtuber thread in the off-topic media and fandom or non-political chat sub-forums once or twice before but never did it)
The City of Stars:
In the not so distant Cyberpunk future of 20XX the traditional nation state is no longer the sole type of sovereign authority. Of course most will think of the "Mega-corps" who have established their rule in various places on Earth much like the East India Company of old. Workers Unions and Cooperatives of similar scales compete against them. Voluntary Peoples Associations, be they capitalistic or socialistic have succeeded in something that might be recognized as Anarchism in some regions and there have even been whole societies existing solely in virtual reality that have become sovereign entities. However weirdest of non-traditional political authorities to have established themselves in the physical world have been Vtubers. As dozens of Vtubers, be they independent or affliated with an agency/corporation, have established their own sovereign states. Having seized control of territories ranging from small islands, whole cities to small countries.
One of these "Sovereign Virtual Youtubers" is Hoshimachi Suisei, originally an independent Vtuber who later joined, and remains affliated with Hololive of Cover Corp. She has established a city state in the Japanese Archipelago, populated mostly by her fans (but has also become a popular immigration spot for many people who were overworked in their previous countries due to the comfortable work hours in the city, starting at 3pm and only a 3 hour workday). Officially known as the "Hoshimachi Nation" with Hoshimachi (星街 meaning star and city) being name of both the city and the country. She is the sole head of state and government styled "Prime Minister", thought political scientists consider her to be more of an absolute monarch than a parliamentary head of government (and while it might simply be aesthetics, one should note that her most commonly seen official outfits possesses two small crowns worked into her beret). As many newly built cities utilising the wonders of Cyberpunk technology the city has many peculiarities. The most significant of which is that ever since it's foundation sun has never once risen over it, as the nation exists in a state of eternal night. Despite this agriculture is still practiced and people are kept fed through Blue Rice, which can subsist only on moon and starlight (developed by Hakui Labs, operated by Professor Hakui Koyori, another Hololive talent and member of Secret Society HoloX). Somehow, despite the lack of sunlight and an onlly 3 hour long workday work productivity has increased in comparison to Japan of 2020. As for the economy, outside of tourism, export of Blue Rice, Hoshimachi Suisei merchandise, licensing of her music and donations by her many fans winning the lotteries has been officially stated to be a source of revenue by a press release from the Prime Minister. A notable tourist spot is the Hoshimachi Park, home to a concert venue where there is always a Hoshimachi Suisei concert going (mostly through AI replications or recordings of previous concerts but new live concerts are also held quite often, with at least one per year). Other attractions of the Park being parades and sessions of being chased by an axe wielding Hoshimachi.
Now, as for the flag. The flag shown here is the national flag. The proportions of which are 2-3. The design is a dark blue background with a gold ten pointed star in the canton (constructed from a five pointed star on top of an upside down five pointed star)* and a light blue "tail" extending to the bottom right corner of the flag, dividing the flag diagonally. The flag is meant to evocate a comet streaking across the night sky, as comet is the meaning of "Suisei". With it more abstractly symbolising a drive to advance ever onwards and upwards, towards future success and prosperity.
*: inspired by the brooch? on her tie, which is also visible on the bow on her belt in her default outfit, same star is also visible on most her alternate outfits.
**: the shades of dark and light blue sampled from her concept art.
***: on a side note there is this star with waves (stylized comet from front?) symbol she has, which much like that multilayered 10 pointed star originated in her times as an indie. Which is in many of her outfits, For example on her necktie and knee-high stockings in her default outfit. I considered including it in the flag but thought that would make it too busy. But I think in this scenario that symbol could be the charge of a personal royal/prime-ministerial flag, probably white or gold on a similar dark blue field.
While I mostly chose Suisei because I just like her a lot, I was also reminded of this clip when I saw the challenge of "Vtuber (national) flag", despite Vtuber's with princess/queen etc. lores would have probably been a more obvious choice. It was the source for the most of the details I mentioned about the country.
(Speaking of vtubers, I have to say, after having looked up and not found one in the past I have been tempted to open a Vtuber thread in the off-topic media and fandom or non-political chat sub-forums once or twice before but never did it)
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I don't see why not, though I can't really gauge on its popularity here in AH.com.
Since there aren't any more entries after two weeks, congratulations to @Gokbay for Sui-chan City! Looking forward to your next challenge!
Well, since I have been in the rabbit hole for like 3 years now so might as well throw my hat in the ring.
The City of Stars:
View attachment 825785
In the not so distant Cyberpunk future of 20XX the traditional nation state is no longer the sole type of sovereign authority. Of course most will think of the "Mega-corps" who have established their rule in various places on Earth much like the East India Company of old. Workers Unions and Cooperatives of similar scales compete against them. Voluntary Peoples Associations, be they capitalistic or socialistic have succeeded in something that might be recognized as Anarchism in some regions and there have even been whole societies existing solely in virtual reality that have become sovereign entities. However weirdest of non-traditional political authorities to have established themselves in the physical world have been Vtubers. As dozens of Vtubers, be they independent or affliated with an agency/corporation, have established their own sovereign states. Having seized control of territories ranging from small islands, whole cities to small countries.
One of these "Sovereign Virtual Youtubers" is Hoshimachi Suisei, originally an independent Vtuber who later joined, and remains affliated with Hololive of Cover Corp. She has established a city state in the Japanese Archipelago, populated mostly by her fans (but has also become a popular immigration spot for many people who were overworked in their previous countries due to the comfortable work hours in the city, starting at 3pm and only a 3 hour workday). Officially known as the "Hoshimachi Nation" with Hoshimachi (星街 meaning star and city) being name of both the city and the country. She is the sole head of state and government styled "Prime Minister", thought political scientists consider her to be more of an absolute monarch than a parliamentary head of government (and while it might simply be aesthetics, one should note that her most commonly seen official outfits possesses two small crowns worked into her beret). As many newly built cities utilising the wonders of Cyberpunk technology the city has many peculiarities. The most significant of which is that ever since it's foundation sun has never once risen over it, as the nation exists in a state of eternal night. Despite this agriculture is still practiced and people are kept fed through Blue Rice, which can subsist only on moon and starlight (developed by Hakui Labs, operated by Professor Hakui Koyori, another Hololive talent and member of Secret Society HoloX). Somehow, despite the lack of sunlight and an onlly 3 hour long workday work productivity has increased in comparison to Japan of 2020. As for the economy, outside of tourism, export of Blue Rice, Hoshimachi Suisei merchandise, licensing of her music and donations by her many fans winning the lotteries has been officially stated to be a source of revenue by a press release from the Prime Minister. A notable tourist spot is the Hoshimachi Park, home to a concert venue where there is always a Hoshimachi Suisei concert going (mostly through AI replications or recordings of previous concerts but new live concerts are also held quite often, with at least one per year). Other attractions of the Park being parades and sessions of being chased by an axe wielding Hoshimachi.
Now, as for the flag. The flag shown here is the national flag. The proportions of which are 2-3. The design is a dark blue background with a gold ten pointed star in the canton (constructed from a five pointed star on top of an upside down five pointed star)* and a light blue "tail" extending to the bottom right corner of the flag, dividing the flag diagonally. The flag is meant to evocate a comet streaking across the night sky, as comet is the meaning of "Suisei". With it more abstractly symbolising a drive to advance ever onwards and upwards, towards future success and prosperity.
*: inspired by the brooch? on her tie, which is also visible on the bow on her belt in her default outfit, same star is also visible on most her alternate outfits.
**: the shades of dark and light blue sampled from her concept art.
***: on a side note there is this star with waves (stylized comet from front?) symbol she has, which much like that multilayered 10 pointed star originated in her times as an indie. Which is in many of her outfits, For example on her necktie and knee-high stockings in her default outfit. I considered including it in the flag but thought that would make it too busy. But I think in this scenario that symbol could be the charge of a personal royal/prime-ministerial flag, probably white or gold on a similar dark blue field.
While I mostly chose Suisei because I just like her a lot, I was also reminded of this clip when I saw the challenge of "Vtuber (national) flag", despite Vtuber's with princess/queen etc. lores would have probably been a more obvious choice. It was the source for the most of the details I mentioned about the country.
Concept art by Teshima Nari. Source of the dark and light blue shades I used in the flag, as well as serving as an example of what I am talking about with the crowns on the beret, the multilayered star brooch thingie and that star symbol on her necktie.
(Speaking of vtubers, I have to say, after having looked up and not found one in the past I have been tempted to open a Vtuber thread in the off-topic media and fandom or non-political chat sub-forums once or twice before but never did it)
I have absolutely no idea what VTube is - I thought it was something made up until I saw Gokbay's entry and realised it must be something to do with anime or similar. So, knowing nothing about it, there was no way I could come with anything.
Basically streamers using animated avatars, usually anime-style, but not necessarily. I was actually a bit worried I set the bar too high. Food for thought for future challenge ideas, I guess.
Choosing a niche subject like Vtubers was definitely a risk. Maybe including a Wikipedia link in the challenge post itself would have made entries from non-Vtuber fans likelier but probably still unlikely.
Also new challenge is now up:
FLAG CHALLENGE #287: The Celestial Sphere
Design a flag that includes constellation symbolism in some ways. Be it like modern Southern Cross or Alaska Big Dipper flags, or with the inclusion of the lines connecting the stars or even a Lion for Leo or Bull for Taurus. Zodiac signs are also fine. You are not limited by the Zodiac, all constellations and asterisms are fine. Including non-Western constellations like Chinese are also welcome.
Submissions Open: Now (2nd of May)
Submissions Close: 9th of May, ~23:00 GMT+3
FLAG CHALLENGE #287: The Celestial Sphere
Design a flag that includes constellation symbolism in some ways. Be it like modern Southern Cross or Alaska Big Dipper flags, or with the inclusion of the lines connecting the stars or even a Lion for Leo or Bull for Taurus. Zodiac signs are also fine. You are not limited by the Zodiac, all constellations and asterisms are fine. Including non-Western constellations like Chinese are also welcome.
Submissions Open: Now (2nd of May)
Submissions Close: 9th of May, ~23:00 GMT+3
Ironically, I think this will be an easier one for me than the previous "make up a vlogging star backstory challenge".
I mean, the previous challenge didn't say "make up one".
It said you were free to make up one, use an already existing one or even a group.
And of course design a flag, but a fan club flag was allowed without the need to make up lore.
Thought of course, it necessitated some knowledge of vtubers, which not everyone has.
Also I tried to make it this new challenge as accessible as possible. Giving as many options possible as long as they are somewhat connected to constellations (thought US's "a new constellation" wording for it's flag does not count. It was just many stars on a flag without any allusion to actual constellations).
Speaking of options, I am fine with science fiction entries as well (an interstellar nation originating from Earth colonists might be named after or use in it's flag symbolism inspired by the constellation it is located in from the viewpoint of Earth).
This might be stretching the constellation theme a bit (and if it does, let me know and i'll change it) but the following flag is the flag of the Scottish Socialist Peoples Republic.
Yellow and Red are for the colours on the traditional Royal Standard of Scotland, along with the traditional Lion Rampant which are included, despite the royal connotations, to represent Scotland belonging to its people. The stars all represent Scotland's 7 cities with the capital, Edinburgh, highlighted with white trim. The stars (from top to bottom) represent Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Dunfermline, Stirling, Edinburgh (Capital) and Glasgow.
Yellow and Red are for the colours on the traditional Royal Standard of Scotland, along with the traditional Lion Rampant which are included, despite the royal connotations, to represent Scotland belonging to its people. The stars all represent Scotland's 7 cities with the capital, Edinburgh, highlighted with white trim. The stars (from top to bottom) represent Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Dunfermline, Stirling, Edinburgh (Capital) and Glasgow.
It's always good to have a real challenge - just because I'm old and out-of-touch doesn't mean everyone is!
Bavarian Proud State
Just as other flags from the period of the Great European Troubles of 1916-1924, like the Italian Andromeda Unchained banner or the Spanish Taurus flag, it is easy to see that the flag of the Bavarian Proud State dates back to the tradition established by the Irish Citizen Army of depicting constellations on their flags.
The flag depicts the Archangel Michael constellation or Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Bear, the Little Dipper in North America, and various other names worldwide. Ursa Minor has traditionally been important for navigation because of Polaris being the north pole star, and according to the flag's creators, the meaning of the flag was that a free Bavaria would steer its own destiny. The name of the constellation was taken from Julius Schiller's star atlas because of the reluctance to use the image of the bear associated with Berlin.
The flag depicts the Archangel Michael constellation or Ursa Minor, also known as the Little Bear, the Little Dipper in North America, and various other names worldwide. Ursa Minor has traditionally been important for navigation because of Polaris being the north pole star, and according to the flag's creators, the meaning of the flag was that a free Bavaria would steer its own destiny. The name of the constellation was taken from Julius Schiller's star atlas because of the reluctance to use the image of the bear associated with Berlin.
Weekly Flag Thread #287 voting thread
FLAG CHALLENGE #287: The Celestial Sphere Design a flag that includes constellation symbolism in some ways. Be it like modern Southern Cross or Alaska Big Dipper flags, or with the inclusion of the lines connecting the stars or even a Lion for Leo or Bull for Taurus. Zodiac signs are also fine...
www.alternatehistory.com
The voting thread is now up.
It will be up for a week, unless I forget it again.