I'm stuck for anything that isn't socialism so if you get more I'll bow out
Weekly Flag Challenge: Discussion & Entries
- Thread starter Transparent Blue
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This popped into my head earlier today, but I had to wait to get home to do it:
The Anarchic Sea
Although anarchism, almost by definition, does not have one overriding symbol or colour, the one which has been used the most by its adherents since the mid 19th century is the symbol of dark blue waves under a light blue sky. Its origin is disputed, with some claiming it was first designed by an early anarchist group from the west coast of France, inspired by the chaos of the Bay of Biscay, whilst others claim that it originated in either Poland or Prussia, inspired by storms on the Baltic coasts. Regardless of the exact origin, it is universally acknowledged that the chaos of the sea, which cannot be tamed by any human intervention or government dictat, is a perfect analogy for anarchism. Critics who point out that putting light blue and dark blue together violates the normal rules of flag making generally receive a response similar to "dude, that's the whole point"...
The Anarchic Sea
Although anarchism, almost by definition, does not have one overriding symbol or colour, the one which has been used the most by its adherents since the mid 19th century is the symbol of dark blue waves under a light blue sky. Its origin is disputed, with some claiming it was first designed by an early anarchist group from the west coast of France, inspired by the chaos of the Bay of Biscay, whilst others claim that it originated in either Poland or Prussia, inspired by storms on the Baltic coasts. Regardless of the exact origin, it is universally acknowledged that the chaos of the sea, which cannot be tamed by any human intervention or government dictat, is a perfect analogy for anarchism. Critics who point out that putting light blue and dark blue together violates the normal rules of flag making generally receive a response similar to "dude, that's the whole point"...
Sea under Sky does have an Anarchist feel in a "no states/countries/land" sort of way.
I'll put up the poll tonight once I'm done with work and some errands. Any stragglers with an idea have about 6 or 7 hours
Poll's up!
Flag Challenge 274: A Color Revolution
Continuing my all-consuming obsession with ideologies and color symbolism, create a flag for a revolutionary state (an existing one or an AH creation) in a world where the dominant political color and symbol of the guiding ideology is different for some reason. Your post should use an existing historical ideology (with an existing color/symbol association) and you should explain in the lore how the symbolism turned out differently.
Entry 1:
Considering the influence Russian cosmism had on proletarian culture after the October Revolution, it is not surprising that the image of our little blue planet orbiting the Sun, which is so huge that it does not even fit in the frame, became the flag of the Soviet Union.
The white six-pointed star is a symbol of the ultimate triumph of the ideas of communism on all continents of the globe. The six ends of the star symbolize the six continents of the planet, and white is the color of a classless society, since white combines all the colors of the spectrum.
The diagonally bisected black and gold flag itself became a symbol of State Socialism.
Entry 2:
The Royal Martyrs' Banner
After the French Revolution was successfully exported to the rest of Europe, the scourge of monarchism was thought dead. The fledgling republics then found new enemies in each other. Each republic accused the others of not being republic enough, and a new cycle of wars began.
During that time whispers began, whispers that supported a more moderate system of government. One that didn't rely on the whims of the masses, monarchism. At the head of this return was France. It's monarchism movement was so bold that they would actually profess their views openly and fly monarchist banners despite the extreme danger they were in.
One of the most popular banners was the Royal Martyrs' Banner. Based of the banner for the House of Bourbon, it had three fleur-des-lys, but it was "stained" with the blood of the kings who died in the revolution. Its popularity eventually grew outside of France. So, when other monarchist movements finally designed their own flags and banners most copied this design, cementing the color red with monarchism forever.
Entry 3:
The Anarchic Sea
Although anarchism, almost by definition, does not have one overriding symbol or colour, the one which has been used the most by its adherents since the mid 19th century is the symbol of dark blue waves under a light blue sky. Its origin is disputed, with some claiming it was first designed by an early anarchist group from the west coast of France, inspired by the chaos of the Bay of Biscay, whilst others claim that it originated in either Poland or Prussia, inspired by storms on the Baltic coasts. Regardless of the exact origin, it is universally acknowledged that the chaos of the sea, which cannot be tamed by any human intervention or government dictat, is a perfect analogy for anarchism. Critics who point out that putting light blue and dark blue together violates the normal rules of flag making generally receive a response similar to "dude, that's the whole point"...
Thank you! I've been a bit busy with work so hadn't checked the poll, so this is a pleasant surprise. Give me a day or so and I'll get a new challenge up.
Flag Challenge 275: United Crowns 👑
This challenge is inspired by having seen the Royal Standards of the late HM Queen Elizabeth and HM King Charles so many times over the last 10 days, first the standard in Scotland and then the different standard used in England.
Create two or more royal standards for the monarch of two or more countries which have just been united in personal union, one for each of the countries ruled over by the monarch. The countries can be OTL or AH. The royal standard for each country before union can also be OTL or AH.
Submissions close in a week's time: Monday 26th September 2022, 9:00pm GMT.
Please remember to review the rules, especially concerning flag size. For each image in a multiple-flag entry, the shortest side must be 400 pixels or less and the longest side must be 600 pixels or less.
This challenge is inspired by having seen the Royal Standards of the late HM Queen Elizabeth and HM King Charles so many times over the last 10 days, first the standard in Scotland and then the different standard used in England.
Create two or more royal standards for the monarch of two or more countries which have just been united in personal union, one for each of the countries ruled over by the monarch. The countries can be OTL or AH. The royal standard for each country before union can also be OTL or AH.
Submissions close in a week's time: Monday 26th September 2022, 9:00pm GMT.
Please remember to review the rules, especially concerning flag size. For each image in a multiple-flag entry, the shortest side must be 400 pixels or less and the longest side must be 600 pixels or less.
With MS Paint, if you make your canvas big enough (using 'Resize') you can then just copy and paste from other images* and move those around. If you press Ctrl-E, you can expand the canvas without resizing what you have already - it will stay in the top left at its original size. When I've done things in MS Paint in the past, I've usually done the different parts as different images then put them together by pasting into bigger canvas.
(* Of course, if you copy/paste another image which isn't fully in the public domain, then you need to be sure you can use it legally - this usually just requires giving attribution.)
Royal Standard of the Franco-British Union
The Royal Standard used in the territories which were joined in 1940. (fmr. French Third Republic)
The Royal Standard used in the territories which were joined in 1940. (fmr. French Third Republic)
The second and third quadrants represent France and contain the Gallic rooster on a red background. The first and fourth quadrants represent the British Isles and contain the saltires of St Andrew and St Patrick and the lion on a blue background, respectively.
The Royal Standard used in the other territories.
The first, third and fourth quadrants represent the British Isles. The first and fourth quadrants contain the lion on a red background and the third quadrant contain the saltires of Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick. The second quadrant contain the Gallic rooster on a blue background.
As you can see, one flag can easily be turned into another by simply rotating it 90 degrees.
Flags are new (I had the Coat of Arms idea only recently actually) but from stuff I did before (with two quotes for extra context).
Royal Standards of the Sovereign of the United Commonealth:
Royal Standard in the English Crown (and the Commonwealth at large):
Royal Standard in the Polish Crown:
Royal Standard of the Lusitanian Crown not included as it is an OTL flag (flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves)
Royal Standards of the Sovereign of the United Commonealth:
Royal Standard in the English Crown (and the Commonwealth at large):
Royal Standard in the Polish Crown:
Royal Standard of the Lusitanian Crown not included as it is an OTL flag (flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves)
Franco-Polish-Lithuanian Union
(In France)
(In Poland-Lithuania)
After the long reign of Henri III (the POD), he died childless causing the extinction of the House of Valois-Angoulême. Just before his death and after years of pressure, Henri IV finally converted Catholicism to prevent a succession crisis. Also because of his conversion, he had a large chance to be elected king of Poland-Lithuania. Henri III was a very popular king in Poland. So, when it came time to elect a new one Henri IV of France one easily. The election of Henri IV as king of Poland-Lithuania began the trend of Poland-Lithuania electing Bourbon kings that lasted until the late 1700s.
commons.wikimedia.org
commons.wikimedia.org
(In France)
(In Poland-Lithuania)
After the long reign of Henri III (the POD), he died childless causing the extinction of the House of Valois-Angoulême. Just before his death and after years of pressure, Henri IV finally converted Catholicism to prevent a succession crisis. Also because of his conversion, he had a large chance to be elected king of Poland-Lithuania. Henri III was a very popular king in Poland. So, when it came time to elect a new one Henri IV of France one easily. The election of Henri IV as king of Poland-Lithuania began the trend of Poland-Lithuania electing Bourbon kings that lasted until the late 1700s.
File:Coat of Arms of Henry III of France.svg - Wikimedia Commons
File:Royal Banner of Jan III Sobieski.svg - Wikimedia Commons
Sorry, everyone - Real Life intervened and I forgot about doing the poll for the above challenge. Better late than never, here's the poll: https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...ly-flag-challenge-№-275-united-crowns.533687/
Good luck to all three contestants!
Good luck to all three contestants!
And the Winner of Challenge № 275 is... drum roll... @Kruglyasheo - congratulations!
(I can't remember if you've won a challenge before or not; if you're not sure what to do now, there's a guide in post 1 of this thread.)
Flag Challenge #276: Vichy Earth
Create a flag for Earth, which has become a client state of alien invaders.
Submissions Close: 09:00 GMT 11th October
Please remember to review the RULES, especially concerning flag size. For an image in a single-flag entry, the shortest side must be 600 pixels or less, and the longest side must be 1200 pixels or less.
Create a flag for Earth, which has become a client state of alien invaders.
Submissions Close: 09:00 GMT 11th October
Please remember to review the RULES, especially concerning flag size. For an image in a single-flag entry, the shortest side must be 600 pixels or less, and the longest side must be 1200 pixels or less.
The deadline for submissions has been extended to October 18, 9:00 GMT. If there are still no entries, I'd like someone from the Volunteers to take over the selection of a new flag idea and the organization of the round.
Although, I've now checked the Volunteer list, and it looks like only @The Professor is relatively active. Well, if no one responds by October 18, I'll probably try to do something myself, but I'd rather not.
Although, I've now checked the Volunteer list, and it looks like only @The Professor is relatively active. Well, if no one responds by October 18, I'll probably try to do something myself, but I'd rather not.
Last edited:
Earth State
When the xenoi came, humanity resisted. But divided and mildly technologically outmatched humanity was eventually subdued. The xenoi set up an orbital weapons system to enforce their authority. Wile the xenoi did posses faster-than-light travel Earth was still distant and it too a long time get their. So they allowed a collaborator government to rule Earth in their name.
The delta symbols is not a xenos symbol, but they did not have any symbol that looked good to human eyes. So the Delta was used as it was a symbol that the humans already associated with outer space. The symbol on the fly represents a unified Earth.
Secretly, the reversed canton design is uncommon among human flags, it is meant to represent a upside-down flag, a sign of distress.
commons.wikimedia.org
commons.wikimedia.org
When the xenoi came, humanity resisted. But divided and mildly technologically outmatched humanity was eventually subdued. The xenoi set up an orbital weapons system to enforce their authority. Wile the xenoi did posses faster-than-light travel Earth was still distant and it too a long time get their. So they allowed a collaborator government to rule Earth in their name.
The delta symbols is not a xenos symbol, but they did not have any symbol that looked good to human eyes. So the Delta was used as it was a symbol that the humans already associated with outer space. The symbol on the fly represents a unified Earth.
Secretly, the reversed canton design is uncommon among human flags, it is meant to represent a upside-down flag, a sign of distress.
File:Earth Symbol Flag.svg - Wikimedia Commons
File:Russian military space troops flag.svg - Wikimedia Commons
Typical - I was working on an idea with the Earth Symbol too. Time for a bit of a re-think I guess.Earth State
View attachment 780982
When the xenoi came, humanity resisted. But divided and mildly technologically outmatched humanity was eventually subdued. The xenoi set up an orbital weapons system to enforce their authority. Wile the xenoi did posses faster-than-light travel Earth was still distant and it too a long time get their. So they allowed a collaborator government to rule Earth in their name.
The delta symbols is not a xenos symbol, but they did not have any symbol that looked good to human eyes. So the Delta was used as it was a symbol that the humans already associated with outer space. The symbol on the fly represents a unified Earth.
Secretly, the reversed canton design is uncommon among human flags, it is meant to represent a upside-down flag, a sign of distress.
File:Earth Symbol Flag.svg - Wikimedia Commons
File:Russian military space troops flag.svg - Wikimedia Commons
Nice flag, btw.