Comments | nation_ask: Oh, say can you see...?

snarkymisfit in nation_ask

Oh, say can you see...?

Feb 05, 2009 18:18

Time: Neutral
Question for: All Nations!
Question:

Wow, Nations! What lovely colors you have there! The better to show off some national pride, eh? How about we talk flags, then: tell me something about your great national symbol! What does it symbolize? Has it gone through any changes? Do you have any cool stories to tell?

( You know you do! )

*neutral, *all nations

Comments 41

incense_harbor February 6 2009, 02:16:40 UTC

My flag hasn't gone through any changes, but it's only been in use since my return to brother China in 1997.

The red of the flag is a festive color for the Chinese people, one that has been in effect since the Dynasties; it is also the exact red of brother China's flag, which is meant to signify my unity with him. The use of white is to juxtapose the idea of One country, two systems, while the flower itself is a stylized version of a particular flower that was discovered and can only be found on my main island.

snarkymisfit February 7 2009, 16:13:55 UTC

Hey, Hong Kong, sir! Ah, I see. I suppose that does not allow much time for changes, does it? It's a rather young flag, then--only around eleven years old?

Oh! Red is a good luck color, right? I remember seeing everyone wearing red for the New Year--it was really colorful and bright! So it's the same as China's flag? There's a lot of symbolism in that move, I suppose. And it's a very pretty flower you have on your flag; I didn't know the meaning behind it, though, so thanks a ton for the new information! If I ever visit your house I'll be sure to look for one, to see where it grows naturally!

ladyrepiblik February 6 2009, 05:24:56 UTC

My flag is really, really special, actually!

I had some other flags originally, from when I was independent until only about ten years ago. The flag I have now has the colors of both of my old political parties. Also, each color means something special. The blue is for the sea that's all around, the yellow is for the sun, the red is for my people, the green is for nature, and the white is for harmony and justice. Isn't it pretty?

snarkymisfit February 7 2009, 16:24:31 UTC

Hello, Miss Seychelles! It's good to hear from you!

Oh, thank you very much for the information! Your latest flag is really quite pretty--very stylish, and definitely one of the most colorful! It reminds me of a sunrise, actually. Oh, both of them, to show unity? Cool! The symbolism in the colors is very well thought out! The white in the American flag is generally thought to stand for justice as well, though most of the other colors haven't been defined at all. Thank you very much for sharing your flag with me, Miss Seychelles!

lithuania_toris February 6 2009, 05:25:53 UTC

Supposedly, the top yellow strip represents the gold wheat fields, the green the countryside, and the red is the blood that people have spilled here over the years.

snarkymisfit February 7 2009, 17:21:23 UTC

Hello, Lithuania, sir!

Ah, your flag shows a lot about your country, then! From the natural resources to the sacrifice your people are willing to make to defend their country. The red in the American flag is sometimes thought to represent the blood spilt to defend freedom, but no one is completely certain--we're not the most organized country, I guess. But I'm really glad your flag demonstrates the courage of your people! Thanks for sharing, Sir Lithuania!

tinsoldaten February 6 2009, 05:57:21 UTC

My flag, Dannebrog, is the oldest state flag still in use! It's from the 14th century and I have a lot of cool stories to tell, if you're willing to hear them all! The most usual one is when I fought against Estonia in the battle of Lyndanisse. At a critical stage the flag fell down from the sky and I won the battle. It was a sign; that's why we still have it and keep it as a strong symbol.

[ More about Dannebrog here ]

snarkymisfit February 7 2009, 17:36:47 UTC

Sir Denmark! Hello, again!

Whoa, is it really?! That's awesome! Haha, your flag is pretty old; it's practically three times as old as America! I see that the cross on your flag was the one that was adopted by the other Scandinavian countries--yours was the original? That's really epic! And your story about your flag was pretty awesome as well. It was definitely a sign ;) And sure, I'd love to hear them! A flag as old as your must have quite the number of legends to go along with it!

[ Eee! -snags link- Thanks for the information, Denmark! I'm off to go read this now ;) ]

edle_sohn February 6 2009, 06:50:14 UTC

My national colors date back to Duke Friedrich II, who, in an attempt to catalyze my independence from the Holy Roman Empire, designed a new coat of arms.

The flag itself, among the world's oldest, is attributed to Duke Leopold V, a participant in the Third Crusade in the latter half of the twelfth century. According to legend, his white battle clothes became so steeped in the colors of his trade only the stripe beneath his belt remained untouched, painting a dramatic image which he adopted as his banner, later to become my own.

snarkymisfit February 7 2009, 18:03:37 UTC

Sir Austria, hello there!

Mm, I see; having a new flag to represent your own country would definitely cement one's independence. It was a smart move!

Oh, so your flag's origins orignate in the crusades like Denmark's, whose flag is also extremely old. My, I had no idea that the Austrian flag had such...a history behind it! That is nothing like what I had expected. At all. The story of your flag is really quite interesting--it's one I'll be sure to tell others though not at the dinner table, per se, so thank you very much for sharing it!