How do you like the idea of each country having its own distinctive color combinations on its flag?

by Heisenberg Posted 2012/06/30 21:28:20

Related Topics: color, United States, Britain, Great Britain, Russia, Planet, Flag, Denmark, Identity

21 votes
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	Yes, that's a fabulous idea.	8 votes	38%
	No, that's too strange.	7 votes	33%
	Undecided	6 votes	29%

Too many nations around this planet have the same colors on their national banners. Red, white, and blue are very common. The United States, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Norway, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and several other countries have red/white/blue color configurations.

black - 16+16+15
brown - 15+16+15
red - 14+16+15
orange - 13+16+15
yellow - 12+16+15
dark green - 11+16+15
dark blue - 10+16+15
purple - 9+16+15
gray - 8+16+15
white -7+16+15
burgundy - 6+16+15
teal - 5+16+15
sky blue - 4+16+15
pink - 3+16+15
lime green -2+16+15
beige - 1+16+15
olive - 0+16+15

Add all that up, and that's 663 possible color combinations. There are 197 sovereign states in the world, so you do the math. If each nation has this same policy for all its states, provinces, regions, or whatever, that would be even better. Nobody said they can't have their own distinctive designs like stripes, coats-of-arms, and what have you.

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▼♥☆Greencone☆♥▼ PB90s 2013/01/18 00:47:25

Undecided

+1
If a country wants to have it's own colors it is up to that country and if a country wants to have the same colors as another country that is also up to that country.

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Heisenberg to ▼♥☆Gree... 2013/01/19 07:05:06

+1
Thanks for answering.

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▼♥☆Gree... to Heisenberg 2013/01/19 17:48:58

+1
You're Welcome Orpheus!

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die Küss der Tod 2013/01/17 19:25:27

Yes, that's a fabulous idea.

+1
It's up to the country, obviously. A flag is a flag. If they want to change it, fine; if they don't want to, fine. I think it would be wicked awesome if more colors were used.

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Heisenberg to die Küs... 2013/01/18 00:05:38

+1
So do I, and it would be even more fantastic if you could identify each country by its own unique colors.

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die Küs... to Heisenberg 2013/01/18 00:08:26

+1
That would be kind of cool but the countries would have to be able to pick their own colors so that no country went "Aw..we got stuck with the crappy colors no one wants" LOL.

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Heisenberg to die Küs... 2013/01/18 00:15:00

That's why they invented the word "compromise." The colors wouldn't seem so crappy after awhile.

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die Küs... to Heisenberg 2013/01/18 00:19:28

+1
Well that's true. Plus, they could make better designs with more colors. I think that we should all have cool designs on our flags not just lines or dots or stars or whatever. Like cool pictures.

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Heisenberg to die Küs... 2013/01/18 00:22:14

+1
Absolutely! I think all professional sports leagues should adopt this technique, too. =)

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die Küs... to Heisenberg 2013/01/18 02:30:41

+1
Definitely :)

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Kookieless The Sexy Nihilis... 2013/01/17 11:17:44
Heisenberg to Kookiel... 2013/01/17 11:34:34

+1
Thanks for answering! :)

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cynsity 2012/07/01 04:43:43

No, that's too strange.

+1
While you may not realize it the colors that are used in a flag can help trace its origins. Lets look at the USA.. Red, White, Blue witha field of stars. Well we know that the US was settled primarly by Great britian (not only but most successfully by) the colors are a reflection of that, if you look at how settled great britian it was (most successfuly) it was the Normans (aka France) great britians colors reflet this. If you look at who settled France you will see that the people who came up from grece and itially (most successfuly) settled the area....

Flags are historically significant not just because tehy represent a NEW nation but they also reflect the nations history and that of civilization dont be so fast to want everyone to be different

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Heisenberg to cynsity 2012/07/01 05:48:44

Your point is duly noted, but inaccurate. If we're just going to model our flag after another country's then what's the point. I don't think it's the colors themselves that make our flag so unique but the thirteen stripes and the union jack with 50 stars. The British flag is distinctive because of that specific cross with the eight vertices. If the French flag no longer has blue/white/red, they can add something unique to France like the fleur-de-lis unto the flag.

If Germany has to change one of the colors on their flags, and it's no longer black/red/gold, they can add something very German like the eagle on theirs.

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cynsity to Heisenberg 2012/07/01 06:05:34

+1
It is not inaccurate. The flag is historically representive of our nations origians... but yes the way each nation uses teh colors and arranges any symbols or letters says something as well. But if you were to want the flags to all be different then you should note that the USA would LOSE the red white and blue becasue it would only be fair to allow nations to choose their colors based on tehir recognised standing as an independant nation. we are a very young nation. We could end up with no flag at all because all the color choices and combos would be used up. As someone who has lived in many different nations I think each flag is individual enough no changes are needed

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Heisenberg to cynsity 2012/07/01 06:11:15

That would be fine with me. If we change ours to say red/gray/blue, then it would still mean just as much with the union jack and the thirteen stars. I think when most people see the Canadian flag, the most conspicuous and unique feature is the maple leaf and not the red/white/red stripes. If Canada changed theirs to something like red/green/purple, that maple leaf can still be on their national ensign.

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cynsity to Heisenberg 2012/07/01 06:23:50

+1
what is your obsession with natins flags. They are been the same for hundrends of years why should tehy change tehm now? and YES it would be a BIG difference to have grey instead of white each color itself symbolizes something you change teh symbolism when you change the color and that red leaf would look hidious on a purple pack drop. What are you suggesting that Canadians are like muppets?

Maybe you need to pick up a book on a little something called Heraldry and the Bayeaux Tapestry and maybe then you will understand how imporant such things are to people and their self identy.

But whatever this isn't even an adult enough topic seeing as it is NEVER going to be an idea anyone actually entertains.

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Heisenberg to cynsity 2012/07/01 06:28:03

Ideas always pop up everywhere and are meant to be shared. I doubt it'll make a huge shred of difference if only one color is changed. If the Canadian flag is say burgundy which is reddish-purple, do you really think that the polar ice caps will end. Nobody ever said they can't keep red on their flag. All I'm stating is that every flag around the world can be identified easier not only by whatever logo is on there, but the three-color configurations can classify them as well. As far as my fixation with colors is concerned, I don't think you would understand.

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KeeganTheAwesome 2012/06/30 23:49:04

Yes, that's a fabulous idea.

+1
While it is a little annoying that many countries have the same colors on their flags, it isn't the colors themselves that identify the country, but rather the culture and the history, and the most unique flags are the ones that reflect this in their flags' designs and use symbols in their designs to boost their image. For example:

- The Flag of Mexico includes the Seal, which depicts an eagle with a serpent on a cactus in the middle of a lake. This reflects the myth the Aztecs used to explain why their capital, Tenochtitlan, was built in the middle of a lake, but they also symbolize the triumph of purity over corruption.

- The hammer and sickle on the Soviet Union flag symbolize the industrial and agriculture workers, respectively, and the red background is meant to symbolize the blood they gave up in their fight for emancipation that lead to the Soviet Union's creation.

- The U.S. flag features 13 stripes for the 13 colonies from which the U.S. sprung up, 7 red for the blood their soldiers gave in the Revolution, and 7 white because the colonies wanted to clear the slate and express themselves instead of being just an element of the story of Great Britain. The flag also has stars for each and every state grouped into one corner, as the states were all coming together as o...

While it is a little annoying that many countries have the same colors on their flags, it isn't the colors themselves that identify the country, but rather the culture and the history, and the most unique flags are the ones that reflect this in their flags' designs and use symbols in their designs to boost their image. For example:

- The Flag of Mexico includes the Seal, which depicts an eagle with a serpent on a cactus in the middle of a lake. This reflects the myth the Aztecs used to explain why their capital, Tenochtitlan, was built in the middle of a lake, but they also symbolize the triumph of purity over corruption.

- The hammer and sickle on the Soviet Union flag symbolize the industrial and agriculture workers, respectively, and the red background is meant to symbolize the blood they gave up in their fight for emancipation that lead to the Soviet Union's creation.

- The U.S. flag features 13 stripes for the 13 colonies from which the U.S. sprung up, 7 red for the blood their soldiers gave in the Revolution, and 7 white because the colonies wanted to clear the slate and express themselves instead of being just an element of the story of Great Britain. The flag also has stars for each and every state grouped into one corner, as the states were all coming together as one nation when the flag was first created.

It's flags like these that make the strongest statements, flags that use symbols in their designs to tell a story of their countries, a story that only be appreciated best when analyzed. If countries really want to make a statement with their flags, they'd be best off using icons that symbolize different aspects of their past that shaped them into their current forms.

The point is, colors don't matter.
(more)

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Heisenberg to KeeganT... 2012/06/30 23:56:28

+1
Thank you 1000 times for proving my point. That's exactly what I was talking about all along. I never once said the U.S. flag shouldn't have thirteen stripes and a Union jack with 50 stars. All I'm stating is that it would mean more and give each country more identity if they had their own color configurations. For instance, I was thinking the U.S. could have red, gray, and blue instead of white. The red could symbolize the bloodshed. Meanwhile, the blue could be for the Union Army and the gray for the Confederacy who both fought one another during the Civil War.

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cynsity to Heisenberg 2012/07/01 06:26:18

The US flag was created BEFORE the Confedercy so what does the color grey have to do with teh establishment of teh USA when it was established? NOTHING

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Heisenberg to cynsity 2012/07/01 06:30:08

The original USA flag aka the Betsy Ross flag also had only 13 stars in a circle. It hasn't stayed the same the past 236 years we've been a nation. What do the 50 stars in the union jack have to do with the establishment of the USA? NOTHING

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cynsity to Heisenberg 2012/07/01 21:13:02

The stars have been added as teh states were added. there have been 27 offical and unoffical changes to the flag as states were added but the colors have never wavered.
And each time a star was added it represented the further establishment of teh nation.

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Heisenberg to cynsity 2012/07/01 21:24:05

And did we lose our national identity when we tweaked the flag a little? Did the sky fall? Did those "damn Injuns" run all the white people out? Was slavery reinstated? Was there anti-white slavery instituted by the blacks that were freed? Did Russia invade us? Did the polar ice caps melt? If the answer is no to all of those, then I don't see what the big deal is of altering the flag just a trifle.

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cynsity to Heisenberg 2012/07/01 21:31:18

because its not a "triffle" to change teh color would be huge it would symbolize a complete change a LOSS not an addition. but again you should read up on what real Heraldry means in teh scheme of a socities identity.

Just look at the small sampling here... no one thinks its a good idea now go out on the street and ask people they will all tell you to get bent

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Heisenberg to cynsity 2012/07/01 21:34:19

I don't consider it a loss. I consider it a modification. Actually, there are some people that DO like it. Nobody liked the idea of purchasing Alaska at one time. William Seward was a pariah during his day. I don't think most people perceive him as that now.

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cynsity to Heisenberg 2012/07/02 00:21:50

ADDING Alaska wasn't a MODIFICATION... you do not modify something which is already prefect. You modify that which is lacking something the flags of each nation LACK NOTHING. Try making a reasonable comparison... or better yet dont bother because while you might think you have some brillent concept going on you dont. The flag isn't just colors its symbolic of what a nation is was, what it is and what it still strives to be

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Heisenberg to cynsity 2012/07/02 03:30:59

+1
Yes, you're right that you don't modify something that's already perfect. We're far from perfect. The United States isn't the greatest country in the world anymore. It was at one time, but now the only things we rank first in are obesity, number of prison inmates, and defense spending. That's another story for another debate though.

I stand by my original point that the colors don't symbolize the flag as much as the important stuff like the stars, stripes, coat-of-arms, union jacks, etc., etc. When most people see the Canadian flag, they think of the maple leaf in the middle and not the red/white/red stripes. I'm done.

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dustin.oubre 2012/06/30 23:07:53

Undecided

+1
I don't really see any reason to change colors. Just because some countries share colors doesn't really mean anything.

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Heisenberg to dustin.... 2012/06/30 23:14:13

Colors mean a lot. If they have their own distinctive configurations, that goes a long way. Some countries speak the same language, but people still want to have their own national identity. These 663 possible three-color configurations can help with that.

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dustin.... to Heisenberg 2012/07/01 02:34:25

+1
No offense to your 'brilliant' idea, but if any of the countries really wanted to have new colors, it would have been brought up before. Also, countries have their own identity, and a flag does not make their identity. It's their history and accomplishments.not some piece of colored cloth.

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KeeganT... to dustin.... 2012/07/01 05:39:34

+1
And many countries "write" their histories and accomplishments on that piece of cloth to commemorate them.

Take the Soviet Union flag. The Soviet Union was founded because of a revolution led by the working-class, which is why the flag is red (for their blood) and features a hammer (for the industrial workers) and a sickle (for the agricultural workers).

To countries whose flags include historical symbols like this, the flag is part of their identity.

You're right on one fact: three random colors =/= identity. Rather, three colors which have significant meaning and allude to a rich past = identity.

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JanHopkins 2012/06/30 23:06:24

No, that's too strange.

+1
The palate is extremely limited. There are only a few colors in the rainbow. That is why so many flags have the same colors but not the same configuration

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Heisenberg to JanHopkins 2012/06/30 23:13:17

That's why I showed the mathematical formula on there to prove my point. If there are 197 countries in the world and 17 available colors, that's 663 possibilities for three-color configurations.

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JanHopkins to Heisenberg 2012/06/30 23:27:00

+3
If you use math to do art it kind of loses the entire point of art. Each flag is a work of art representing the heart and soul of the country. Can you express the soul mathematically?

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Heisenberg to JanHopkins 2012/06/30 23:50:23

Yes you can. Architects and engineers do it all the time. So do astronomers and other scientists.

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JanHopkins to Heisenberg 2012/07/01 01:29:03

Spare me your digital flags. You only want to change them to stroke your own ego.

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Heisenberg to JanHopkins 2012/07/01 05:50:03

Says you! I'm doing this because I'm trying to think outside the box. I don't need reassurance from you, but I appreciate your input.

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Aingean 2012/06/30 22:01:44

Undecided

+1
There would be to much fighting to determine who would change their flag colors and or designs. Each flag has a history to its color and design and changing it would, in my mind, be disrespectful. But I guess if countries were open to the idea then that would be alright I suppose.

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Heisenberg to Aingean 2012/06/30 22:04:57

I hardly think changing one color is going to make that big a shred of difference. Nobody said they had to change their designs, emblems, coat-of-arms, national anthem or anything else. No one said they had to fight over them, either. That's why there's votes and diplomatic solutions.

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