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British vs American flag: which one is the bigger symbol?
- Thread starter FreeMufasa
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lastplayed
Member
They couldn't just have a Ireland's red cross on white as it would make Scotland's flag invisible, so they had to counterchange them. (the top left is Ireland on the left, Scotland on the right, and so on.)
Scotland appears "above" Ireland on the left of the flag as it was higher in the kingdom pecking order.
This might explain it better:
You can acually fly it upside down. This is incorrect:
That's what en.wikipedia says too. Funny enough German wikipedia gives this explanation:
Sorry for the crude translation. There is some heraldic vocabulary that just doesn't translate well.
It's probably a mixture of all those reasons.
I see, thanks!
Can't wait for the American flag of the future
They should make more games like this.
lastplayed
Member
You can also see it in England's medieval royal banner:
France is placed at the top as they considered it their most important kingdom (even though they only held bits of it).
France is placed at the top as they considered it their most important kingdom (even though they only held bits of it).
anarckitty
Member
Glad I wasn't the only one who noticed....
Deadly Cyclone
Pride of Iowa State
In terms of a *fashion* symbol as the original post was wondering - without question it's the British flag. Successive designers have been using the Union Jack in fashion design since the 60s, and its become an accepted design piece across the world. You can find outfits, bags, t-shirts and other items with the union jack on it on every continent - its a recognised design pattern. The USA flag on the other hand generally isn't worn as part of fashion outside the USA and even there it often high 'ironic' overtones.
In terms of overall symbolism and imagery, obviously the USA flag is the bigger symbol right now and would be the most recognised world wide out of any flag (although I wouldn't suggest it would be seen as a 'symbol' in a lot of places, its certainly the most recognisable flag on the planet). But if we are talking purely fashion it's not even a question really - the USA flag isn't really used in that way.
In terms of overall symbolism and imagery, obviously the USA flag is the bigger symbol right now and would be the most recognised world wide out of any flag (although I wouldn't suggest it would be seen as a 'symbol' in a lot of places, its certainly the most recognisable flag on the planet). But if we are talking purely fashion it's not even a question really - the USA flag isn't really used in that way.
frankie_baby
Member
Damn. Though hard to argue.
I really wish I was any good at photoshopping
Patrick Bateman
Member
I like both stories behind the flags. US-flag representing the former first colonies and states and the UK-flag representing the different parts of Great Britian by including them into one.
lastplayed
Member
As an American, I'd say Union Jack if only because the stars keep changing in the stars 'n stripes.
Official US Flag July 3rd, 1960
I really like the 15 star version. But I can see why they decided to stop adding stripes.
Race to be King
Banned
I lived in Wales for a year (and lived to tell the tale!) and they REALLY love their flag. Fair play to them, though. They've got a dragon.
There wasn't room on the Union Flag for that much badassery!
There wasn't room on the Union Flag for that much badassery!
lastplayed
Member
Sounds even better in Welsh: Y Ddraig Goch
That's really bizarre, are we intercepting their cargo ships and sewing Union Flags onto everything?
As an American, I'd say Union Jack if only because the stars keep changing in the stars 'n stripes.
Official US Flag July 3rd, 1960
We keep growing in power. The UK is stuck with like 3 different flags smooshed together.
Razgriz-Specter
Member
Kinky John
Member
If Scotland do end up leaving the UK, I hope we get a new flag complete with dragon. We'd also need to ditch the blue of course.
lastplayed
Member
Wales isn't represented because it was part of the Kingdom of England when the flag was created. It has its own parliament now so maybe they should have another look. It'll be interesting to see what happens if Scotland gains independence.
SomethingInTheSea
Member
I can't see anything happening, and the argument will be, Why spend money changing the flag when we can just keep it the same?
lastplayed
Member
Oh I can see that happening for sure. Countries change flags though, and how many stamps , coins, letterheads and tourist tat will need to be changed when the Queen dies?
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
If Wales was to be represented on the Union Jack, it wouldn't be via Y Ddraig Goch. The three flags which the Union Jack is currently composed of are the saint's banners, rather than the royal standards such as Y Drraig Goch. Wales' patron saint was Dewi Sant, and his flag was the Baner Dewi Sant, which looks like this:
So you'd have to fit that in somewhere. Be difficult without making the Union Jack rather messy. If Scotland leaves and Wales was incorporated, though, you'd end up with this:
Which I think is pretty damn awesome.
So you'd have to fit that in somewhere. Be difficult without making the Union Jack rather messy. If Scotland leaves and Wales was incorporated, though, you'd end up with this:
Which I think is pretty damn awesome.
We should go back to orange instead of red.
velociraptor
Junior Member
I'm a Brit and I think the US flag is perhaps the best looking flag in the world. However, those who tend to brand the US flag everywhere tend to be racist rednecks.
It does bother me than flag bearers in general tend to be racists.
It does bother me than flag bearers in general tend to be racists.
Historically speaking, the Brits have probably screwed over more people...though...if we're going by sheer volume, modern age America might actually have them beat. Hrm..
But the history of both flags are pretty interesting. Britains being an act of assholery, and America's an act of...well I am biased, I'll admit it. But I think America's flag has the Jack beat. I think, globally, the Union Jack was probably more of a sign of fear, and America's a sign of resentment and/or expectation.
As a fashion statement, depends on who you're looking at. Designers like to ironically include the Jack, but then we'll see a thong made out of classic stars and stripes which is just simple patterning. So the Jack is better fashion, but the stars and strips are more useful, unless you're going for the specific ' complete American flag' look, in which case you might not see it as much.
(I think Australia's flag is prettier though)
But the history of both flags are pretty interesting. Britains being an act of assholery, and America's an act of...well I am biased, I'll admit it. But I think America's flag has the Jack beat. I think, globally, the Union Jack was probably more of a sign of fear, and America's a sign of resentment and/or expectation.
As a fashion statement, depends on who you're looking at. Designers like to ironically include the Jack, but then we'll see a thong made out of classic stars and stripes which is just simple patterning. So the Jack is better fashion, but the stars and strips are more useful, unless you're going for the specific ' complete American flag' look, in which case you might not see it as much.
(I think Australia's flag is prettier though)
sooperkool
Member
Best american flag
If Wales was to be represented on the Union Jack, it wouldn't be via Y Ddraig Goch. The three flags which the Union Jack is currently composed of are the saint's banners, rather than the royal standards such as Y Drraig Goch. Wales' patron saint was Dewi Sant, and his flag was the Baner Dewi Sant, which looks like this:
So you'd have to fit that in somewhere. Be difficult without making the Union Jack rather messy. If Scotland leaves and Wales was incorporated, though, you'd end up with this:
Which I think is pretty damn awesome.
I think it looks like the flag of a fascist state.
MrPing1000
Member
Looks too Fascist *beaten*
haha someone with a time machine would assume we lost the war. I mean the middle is just begging you to visualize a swastika.
The_Hitcher89
Member
You don't get to the top without stepping on a few toes, unfortunately
The Templars are the coolest-looking historical militia.
lastplayed
Member
you mean what did england ever do to scotland and ireland?
vv: yes and if I had a time machine I would have warned him about what snakes the English were. King or no king.
lastplayed
Member
What's that got to do with a flag?
You do realise it was a Scot who ordered and approved the Union Flag right? No one liked it at first, not the English because of the blue, and not the Scottish because of the red.
It actually went out of favour for years before it started being used again.
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
Y'all be sorry for criticizing that badassery when the Glorious Welsh Legions re-establish the Neobritish Empire.
The_Hitcher89
Member
There are only two things to be jealous of Wales about.
1: Countryside to metropolitan ratio
2: Gareth Bale
D
Deleted member 231381
Unconfirmed Member
Christian Bale? Um... yeah nope I'm out.
Kinky John
Member
3: Katherine Jenkins
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