Weekly Flag Challenge: Discussion & Entries
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Mediterranean Australia
Here's my take on what an Australian flag would look like if their culture was mainly Mediterranean, much like how many countries in South America have Spanish and Portuguese colonial roots.
I wasn't sure what kind of symbolism would fit to one culture specifically, so I combined Italian imagery like the Maltese cross with the Eureka Flag to create the symbol in the middle. The rest of the flag is also mix of both native Australian design (The Aboriginal Flag) and old Portuguese imperialism (The Brazil Flag)
Here's my take on what an Australian flag would look like if their culture was mainly Mediterranean, much like how many countries in South America have Spanish and Portuguese colonial roots.
I wasn't sure what kind of symbolism would fit to one culture specifically, so I combined Italian imagery like the Maltese cross with the Eureka Flag to create the symbol in the middle. The rest of the flag is also mix of both native Australian design (The Aboriginal Flag) and old Portuguese imperialism (The Brazil Flag)
Drapeau de l'Australie
The POD here is that the American Revolutionary War drags on significantly longer than in OTL. This butterflies away the First Fleet, since the British Empire was able to use the Thirteen Colonies as a dumping ground for convicts all the way up to the 19th century. Thus, when La Pérouse arrives to Australia with his fleet, he is able to make a landing in Botany Bay (Baie botanique) and claim the land in the name of Louis XVI.
The established French colony in Australia removes the reason for the conquest of Algeria and the colonization efforts are instead turned towards the Southern hemisphere. The eventual publication of a novel where a French Australian apathetically kills an Aboriginal man is just one of the weird consequences.
The rise of Australian nationalism only began with the horrors of World War I, where l'Armée Australique was bled horribly in the meat grinder of Verdun. At the Paris Peace Conference, Australia demanded the right to join the League of Nations separately from France and from the 1920s onwards, Australia was consistently taking a more independent stance on world affairs.
The final break for full independence was the Fall of France in World War II. Although affirming their full support for the Free French forces, Le Parlement d'Australie declared independance on 24 January 1941, the very day of La Pérouse's first landing 153 years prior.
The flag of Australia is a homage to Le Tricolore of France, chosen to symbolize the unbreakable ties between the two countries. The colors are green, gold and black, traditional Australian colors.
The POD here is that the American Revolutionary War drags on significantly longer than in OTL. This butterflies away the First Fleet, since the British Empire was able to use the Thirteen Colonies as a dumping ground for convicts all the way up to the 19th century. Thus, when La Pérouse arrives to Australia with his fleet, he is able to make a landing in Botany Bay (Baie botanique) and claim the land in the name of Louis XVI.
The established French colony in Australia removes the reason for the conquest of Algeria and the colonization efforts are instead turned towards the Southern hemisphere. The eventual publication of a novel where a French Australian apathetically kills an Aboriginal man is just one of the weird consequences.
The rise of Australian nationalism only began with the horrors of World War I, where l'Armée Australique was bled horribly in the meat grinder of Verdun. At the Paris Peace Conference, Australia demanded the right to join the League of Nations separately from France and from the 1920s onwards, Australia was consistently taking a more independent stance on world affairs.
The final break for full independence was the Fall of France in World War II. Although affirming their full support for the Free French forces, Le Parlement d'Australie declared independance on 24 January 1941, the very day of La Pérouse's first landing 153 years prior.
The flag of Australia is a homage to Le Tricolore of France, chosen to symbolize the unbreakable ties between the two countries. The colors are green, gold and black, traditional Australian colors.
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Heavenly Kingdom of Nandi
First flag contest I've entered (that I remember, since coming back at least), with something simple, though the scenario is quite complex. In this world Imperial China maintained pace with Western development, to a degree. By 1900 the Qing could be said to fill the roll that Russia did IOTL. Colonial ambitions reached to Siberia, Japan, Southeast Asia, and even Australia and New Zealand. However, domestically, many groups like the Japanese did not mesh well with the fabric of the Empire, and the quality of life of the Chinese farmer and worker was seriously lacking. It was not long into the 20th Century before China saw the first revolution of this TL's communist movement.
The revolution would eventually succeed on the mainland, in short order too, and many regions such as Japan and Vietnam were quick to reassert independence. However, in areas such as Nandi (Australia) and New Shanxi (New Zealand) the Imperial government held on because settlers had overtaken the native populations in these regions. The Emperor did his best to hold on, and while Nandi and New Shanxi provided a large enough base to hold onto a few island bases on the way to China, there combined population base wasn't enough to seriously entertain any thought of retaking China proper, much less from a popular regime. As the status quo maintained for roughly a decade, the Regional Autonomous Assembly of Nandi, a necessary measure to keep local colonists happy during the turmoil, took drastic measures and declared formal independence for Nandi. A movement had originally formed for total peace, with the intention of New Shanxi and the other outlying holdings joining in some form of Imperial Federation, but Imperial support in New Shanxi was too high. Nandi represented 75% of the population, so while the remnant Imperial government could not do anything about the unilateral action, the Emperor formally considered the establishment of the constitutional Heavenly Kingdom of Nandi to be yet another rebellion.
The national mindset of Nandi is complicated, yet in other ways straight forward, and this is reflected in the national flag. Nandi does not deny it's heritage, and indeed, while support for the independence move was very high, the people still weep for the loss of glory that was the Imperial era. Only 100 years before the thought process of independence would almost be blasphemous, to use religious terminology, but to deny the geopolitical reality of the mid 20th century was likewise foolhardy. The pale yellow represents the old flag, slightly tarnished, but still strong. The two black stripes in the middle represent the ocean separating Nandi from the homeland, along with the myriad of former Imperial holdings in the middle that have now been left to their own devices through diverse fates. The white stripe at the top of the flag represents the shining glory of the old order, and the red the stripe at the bottom Nandi, for both the conflict that shaped independence and the general hot and desert conditions fitting well with the traditional color of fire.
There was great debate about the inclusion of monarchist symbols, and indeed the form of government was of great debate itself in the early years. Due to the Imperial family's obvious position that did not support Nandi's independence the new government could not simply keep the same rulers. Indeed, independence was an acknowledgement that the Qing had lost the mandate of heaven. Nandi would give a new mandate to the family of the Governor, who had up until this time ruled quite fairly within the province. While some would have argued that the new Royal family should have extensive powers fitting with tradition, the dissolution of the Qing was a strong point that the old ways no longer worked, and cues were taken from the stable constitutional empires of the West, such as the United Kingdom. The lack of monarchist symbols has sometimes been attributed to the lack of such symbols in the modern flags of the West.
First flag contest I've entered (that I remember, since coming back at least), with something simple, though the scenario is quite complex. In this world Imperial China maintained pace with Western development, to a degree. By 1900 the Qing could be said to fill the roll that Russia did IOTL. Colonial ambitions reached to Siberia, Japan, Southeast Asia, and even Australia and New Zealand. However, domestically, many groups like the Japanese did not mesh well with the fabric of the Empire, and the quality of life of the Chinese farmer and worker was seriously lacking. It was not long into the 20th Century before China saw the first revolution of this TL's communist movement.
The revolution would eventually succeed on the mainland, in short order too, and many regions such as Japan and Vietnam were quick to reassert independence. However, in areas such as Nandi (Australia) and New Shanxi (New Zealand) the Imperial government held on because settlers had overtaken the native populations in these regions. The Emperor did his best to hold on, and while Nandi and New Shanxi provided a large enough base to hold onto a few island bases on the way to China, there combined population base wasn't enough to seriously entertain any thought of retaking China proper, much less from a popular regime. As the status quo maintained for roughly a decade, the Regional Autonomous Assembly of Nandi, a necessary measure to keep local colonists happy during the turmoil, took drastic measures and declared formal independence for Nandi. A movement had originally formed for total peace, with the intention of New Shanxi and the other outlying holdings joining in some form of Imperial Federation, but Imperial support in New Shanxi was too high. Nandi represented 75% of the population, so while the remnant Imperial government could not do anything about the unilateral action, the Emperor formally considered the establishment of the constitutional Heavenly Kingdom of Nandi to be yet another rebellion.
The national mindset of Nandi is complicated, yet in other ways straight forward, and this is reflected in the national flag. Nandi does not deny it's heritage, and indeed, while support for the independence move was very high, the people still weep for the loss of glory that was the Imperial era. Only 100 years before the thought process of independence would almost be blasphemous, to use religious terminology, but to deny the geopolitical reality of the mid 20th century was likewise foolhardy. The pale yellow represents the old flag, slightly tarnished, but still strong. The two black stripes in the middle represent the ocean separating Nandi from the homeland, along with the myriad of former Imperial holdings in the middle that have now been left to their own devices through diverse fates. The white stripe at the top of the flag represents the shining glory of the old order, and the red the stripe at the bottom Nandi, for both the conflict that shaped independence and the general hot and desert conditions fitting well with the traditional color of fire.
There was great debate about the inclusion of monarchist symbols, and indeed the form of government was of great debate itself in the early years. Due to the Imperial family's obvious position that did not support Nandi's independence the new government could not simply keep the same rulers. Indeed, independence was an acknowledgement that the Qing had lost the mandate of heaven. Nandi would give a new mandate to the family of the Governor, who had up until this time ruled quite fairly within the province. While some would have argued that the new Royal family should have extensive powers fitting with tradition, the dissolution of the Qing was a strong point that the old ways no longer worked, and cues were taken from the stable constitutional empires of the West, such as the United Kingdom. The lack of monarchist symbols has sometimes been attributed to the lack of such symbols in the modern flags of the West.
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The Regency of Casablanca (Regencia da Tierra de Casablanca dos Antipodes [1]) is the former Viceroyalty of Casablanca of the Antipodes, a predominantly Castillian settled colony of the Empire of Spain [2]
With the Republican Revolutions across European Spain the Imperial Government fled to Cinnabar [3]. As the ViceRoyal Government became increasingly disgruntled with the more pro-Lusitanian Cinnabarans they allied with the Anglo-Irish League of Regencies pending a restoration of Imperial Spain.
The flag is an alteration of the old ViceRoyal flag which bore the white castle on black arms of Ciudad de Casablanca dos Antipodes on the red cornered Imperial Colony flag
[1] Yep, not quite OTL Castillian
[2] Said Empire being declared upon the union of the United Kingdom of Leon & Portugal with Castille
[3] ATL Brazil
With the Republican Revolutions across European Spain the Imperial Government fled to Cinnabar [3]. As the ViceRoyal Government became increasingly disgruntled with the more pro-Lusitanian Cinnabarans they allied with the Anglo-Irish League of Regencies pending a restoration of Imperial Spain.
The flag is an alteration of the old ViceRoyal flag which bore the white castle on black arms of Ciudad de Casablanca dos Antipodes on the red cornered Imperial Colony flag
[1] Yep, not quite OTL Castillian
[2] Said Empire being declared upon the union of the United Kingdom of Leon & Portugal with Castille
[3] ATL Brazil
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I don't and find it a bit weird but I don't think we ever had a rule against it.
I generally vote for myself, but I have voted for other flags when I thought they were way better than my own.
Winner of Flag Challenge # 140 is FlyingParafin.
Congrats and the next challenge is yours to come up with.
Congrats and the next challenge is yours to come up with.
Uh... mmm... I've never won these contests before, but I can come up with something. I hope this isn't too similar to another flag contest, I know there's a rule about having a challenge to similar to the one right before it but I don't know about any other previous ones.
Anyway...
FLAG CHALLENGE № 141: In God we (don't) Trust
We know how much religion has an effect on national flags. Nations have had religious events influence them enough for it to become part of their people and, even today, have it in some form on their flags, some obvious and some not.
But what if flags didn't show religious imagery at all?
The Challenge: Create a more secular version of a flag which in our timeline has religious symbolism.
Try not to use any religious images at all. This includes, but isn't limited to: crosses, star and crescent, star of david, etc. and please don't make your flag too ASB-ish.
I would give an example, but it's against the rules as it's technically entering my own contest. Therefore, I can post an example in the regular flag thread later on today.
Submissions Open: Now
Submissions Close: 10th of march, midnight UTC time
Voting Opens: 11th of march
Voting Closes: 18th of march
If you want me to change this at all, just reply.
Anyway...
FLAG CHALLENGE № 141: In God we (don't) Trust
We know how much religion has an effect on national flags. Nations have had religious events influence them enough for it to become part of their people and, even today, have it in some form on their flags, some obvious and some not.
But what if flags didn't show religious imagery at all?
The Challenge: Create a more secular version of a flag which in our timeline has religious symbolism.
Try not to use any religious images at all. This includes, but isn't limited to: crosses, star and crescent, star of david, etc. and please don't make your flag too ASB-ish.
I would give an example, but it's against the rules as it's technically entering my own contest. Therefore, I can post an example in the regular flag thread later on today.
Submissions Open: Now
Submissions Close: 10th of march, midnight UTC time
Voting Opens: 11th of march
Voting Closes: 18th of march
If you want me to change this at all, just reply.
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So just without religious symbolism, not colours associated with religion?
Yeah, some clarification would be nice kinda. At the same time, I think it might be a matter of how well the creator explains their flag as well. For instance, for a country in the Middle East, the Islamic green might still be prominent on a flag not for religion, but to show tradition or perhaps continuity of government. Or as another example, Saudi Arabia has a sword on their flag, which might be cool to use as a symbol of a country formed by "violent revolution" rather than the religious spin they give it. I can see arguments for either way, and it's kind of hard to find the line.
I think it's a cool concept for a new round.Quite challenging, too.
Indeed. Already have one in mind!
It does say "try to". So as religion free as possible for it to be. Think what the secular Arab movements tried to do with their flags.
Flag of the Dominion of [West] Pakistan
The red in the hoist represents the losses of the past and the struggle for independence, the white represents the hope and finality of the transition to independence, and the green the hope for Pakistan's future. The four golden rings represent the four provinces of Pakistan, while the thirteen stars represent the thirteen princely states which united with the nation.
The red in the hoist represents the losses of the past and the struggle for independence, the white represents the hope and finality of the transition to independence, and the green the hope for Pakistan's future. The four golden rings represent the four provinces of Pakistan, while the thirteen stars represent the thirteen princely states which united with the nation.
Yeah, ideas in that direction I have are mostly inspired that way. I just don't want any rude surprises after the fact though. Either way I've finalized my idea I'm going to submit now and it actually doesn't run into any of those problems.