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Dec 30, 2012

New Jersey

I wouldn't post my New Jersey flag proposal now because I think it’s not completely done, but I'll post it as a way to propagate the Vexillology Wiki, an initiative I take part with the objective of collect the biggest number of flags proposals to the US states. If you want to share your own flag, mail to vexillologywiki@gmail.com.

Firstly, let’s see the current New Jersey flag:


















[Current flag]
It hasn't a blue background, but a buff-color instead. With this exception, it has the same problems of a great part of USA state flags: intricate coat of arms, writings, some generic symbolism (Phrygian cap, cornucopia, Greek goddesses). If you look the previous sentence, you’ll notice coats of arms aren't a great problem; it's their complexity. My first stylization of the flag was a little strange (see Peter Orenski's design for inspiration):
  
















[My proposed flag]
Next to it, I noticed NJ coat of arms's shield isn't a bad one (an obvious reference to state agriculture), it only needs to be simplified:

















[My proposed flag]
It’s not bad for me, although the color palette isn't my favorite, but if you think it's too boring, there's a new one, with a reference to Jersey flag (from where the state takes its name).

















[My proposed flag]
Comments are welcome.

Dec 23, 2012

Delaware

Delaware was the first state in the federation. Some day I read somewhere wondering why the thirteen colonies, full of history, have some of worst flags. I would consider Maryland, South Carolina and maybe Rhode Island as exceptions. But, as blog subtitle says, "a good flag is not a privilege".

Let's look at current Delaware flag:


















[Current flag]
Of course, this buff-color lozenge makes this flag reasonably dissimilar of others in USA, but this coat of arms and the letters don't make it simple, for sure.

My flag proposal is based on a post by Jack Expo, where he pays attention in a very curious fact about Delaware: it was the only colony founded by the Swedes. With that in mind, I come with this design:

















[My flag proposal]
The lozenge was extended and used to frame a centered flag of Sweden flag. The background was changed to buff-color, because two shades of blue should be avoided. This blue and yellow shades are (intended to be) the same of Swedish flag, but the blue could be returned to the colors of George Washington's uniform, whatever historians say it was.

Starting from a very similar design, Jack Expo came with its own design. I highly recommends you to confer his proposal (click here to be redirected).

Comments are welcome!

Dec 18, 2012

Montana and Utah

Let's start showing the current Utah flag:


















[Current flag]
Apparently, before 2011, the version used a blue shield with white letters, but historians concluded the opposed is the correct. Another state with a flag consisting in a blue field with a seal in the middle. No more comments!

Utah is a state with deep roots in Mormonism. My idea of flag to the state is based on Deseret flag. Unfortunately, this flag is copyrighted by somebody named John T. Wardle. Poor man, nobody told him he can't copyright a historical flag nor a religious symbol. If you want to know how it looks, go to LDSFlag.com. But, for my fortune, there's a better variant flag, considered the historically correct one (if you believe my source), but apparently non-copyrighted. I'm smart too, Mr. Wardle!

















[Historical flag]
The difference between this flag and Mr. Wardle's one is the blue canton with white stars instead of a white canton with blue stars, and the use of thirteen stripes (just like US national flag) instead of twelve stripes, that look worse and has only religious symbolism: twelve Tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, etc.

If civil people protest against using a flag so religion-loaded, I'd suggest the use of beehive (another Mormons symbol, but used in current flag). The following design is, actually, Jack Expo's idea. I only changed the number of stars to thirteen:

















[My proposed flag, based on design by Jack Expo]
Just for comparison, look at NAVA (Northern American Vexillological Association) 2002 contest finalists. The most popular of them is the following, that represents state snow-capped mountains and, upside-down, the state seagulls (but who looks at the flag upside-down?).















[Proposed flag - Design by Dustin Eachtel]
I won't use it to Utah because I just chose my favorite, but it inspired me ideas to my Montana flag. But I present the current Montana flag before:


















[Current flag]
Montana flag is still worse than Utah flag, in my opinion. Too many complicated details!

For my design, I used the colors of this proposed flag, that's too monochromatic, for me. Fusing this flag with the Eachel's proposal to Utah flag, I came with this design to Montana flag:

















[My proposed flag]
Did it took a strange origin? You decides!

Comments are welcome!

Dec 9, 2012

Oregon

The flag of Oregon is unique in US: it's the only with a reverse different from the obverse. Actually, Alabama and Massachusetts also used flags like this, but only Oregonian flag remains. Let's look at both sides of the flag:

















[Current flag obverse]


[Current flag reverse]
The design of obverse is poor. The obverse is a lot better, but not ravishing.

To choice my favorite, I consulted a poll conducted by NAVA (North American Vexillological Association) in 2009. If you look the report with finalist entries, probably many flags will attract you. My favorite (that finished in 3rd position) was design by Douglas Lynch, that also created the absolutely amazing Portland flag. See it:


















[Proposed flag - Design by Douglas Lynch]
Green for the forests, yellow for desert or wheat, the white triangles being the snow-capped mountains that divides the two parts of the state.

And for you, what is the best design to Oregon? Please, leave a comment.

Dec 1, 2012

Alabama and Florida

Alabama and Florida are very similar: both contains a red saltire (St. Andrew's cross). Today I'll try to distinguish them but keep them simple.

Let's start with Alabama flag:


















[Current flag]
The biggest sin in Alabama flag is, paradoxically, its simplicity: it's almost identical to St. Patrick's flag and maybe a dozen of other flags in the world.

The origin of Alabama flag is disputed. Some researchers says it resembles Confederate battle flag, but it possibly has the same origins of Florida flag: the Cross of Burgundy flag, a flag Spain used in colonial times. If the saltire came from Spanish heritage, my design adds blue to represent the French, British and American colors. It's here:


















[My proposed flag]
The red tone make it a bit more contrasting. Now I'll come to Florida:


















[Current flag]
Although it's distinguishable inside USA, the complicated seal doesn't make it a good design. My first design use the proper Cross of Burgundy, because "Latino" heritage is big in Florida, and a sun, representing the tropical wealth of the state.


















[My proposed flag]
I liked this design, but after that I came with an improved design:


















[My proposed flag]
Now the orange disc represents both the sun and the rich citrus culture of the state. And it someway resembles the state seal.

Comments are welcome. (You don't need a Blogger account to be able to comment).