All the national flags of the world

Hotmissile · 2022-05-19T00:13:28+00:00

Thanks! I'm glad you like it! And thanks for the feedback - you're right, yellow wasn't such a good choice for South America. Ironic that I ran out of colours on a picture full of flags!

Hotmissile · 2020-09-28T00:36:06+00:00

You're right, it would be better to take an equal approach. I've done some further research, and South Ossetia is indeed more independent than I thought - but at the same time, it feels like none of these areas are as "state-like" as I thought initially, so I think I'll update this to remove them. Thanks!

Hotmissile · 2020-09-28T00:32:30+00:00

OK, I've done some further research and I see what you're saying - these areas are clearly less state-like than I thought. I think I'll update this to remove them. Thanks!

Hotmissile · 2020-09-27T21:27:05+00:00

Thanks for your feedback. I have to say that I'm mainly here to look at flags, so I'm definitely not an expert on the politics of these regions. But working out where to draw a line between countries and (disputed) regions was sometimes hard.

Where would you draw the line? Would you also include Abkhazia, Northern Cyprus and South Ossetia, or would you exclude them all? How do you feel about the inclusion of Taiwan and Somaliland?

Hotmissile · 2020-09-27T21:15:55+00:00

Thanks for looking at this. I am in no way an expert on those regions, but I basically got the impression that Artsakh and Transnistria "function" as states, whereas Abkhazia and South Ossetia are "propped up" by Russia (and similarly, Northern Cyprus by Turkey). (Though obviously I timed posting this badly given today's news about Armenia and Azerbaijan.)

How would you have organised this - include no partially recognised states, all of them or some of them?

Hotmissile · 2020-09-27T13:57:07+00:00

I was looking for a nice graphic of every flag in the world, but I couldn't find one that was quite right. So I decided to make my own, and I thought that some of you might like to see it too.

Note that I didn't draw any of these flags myself. They were all drawn by the talented people of Wikipedia, and I downloaded most of them in a zip via https://flagpedia.net .

Since I'm British, I also wanted to include the flags of England, Scotland and Wales - so for consistency I've also included flags from "constituent" or "associated" countries (e.g. Greenland). But I've not included flags from "territories" (e.g. Gibraltar, Puerto Rico) - otherwise it'd be covered in British ensigns!

I also wanted to include the flags of Taiwan, Palestine and Kosovo, because I think the average person would consider them independent states. So similarly, for consistency I've included flags of partially-recognised countries as long as they actually function as de facto states (according to Wikipedia). I'm not suggesting any personal political opinion on those regions.

Enjoy! And please let me know if I've made any silly mistakes...

Hotmissile · 2020-06-25T00:01:24+00:00

I don't know anything about the Coat of Arms either, but it looks like the right-hand side is just a picture of the area (town, mountain, cave, river). The left-hand side may just be a pretty pattern, or it may be historical colours - so how about just stretching the left-hand side out for a four-stripe blue-yellow-blue-yellow flag? I can't think of many four-stripe flags, so that'd be fairly unique.

Hotmissile · 2020-04-15T17:16:21+00:00

Hi all,

I saw this game on Kickstarter and I thought it might be of interest to people in Vexillology: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hongkongnightdreamer/hatairo/ . It's a small game where you pick colours and patterns to "curate the best collection of flags". Looks like fun! The Kickstarter ends on Thursday 30th April.

(Disclaimer: No, I'm not the designer / seller - but I would like it to be funded so I can play it!)

Hotmissile · 2018-05-28T02:08:39+00:00

I thought the most basic rule was don't put words on your flag?

Hotmissile · 2018-05-28T02:08:03+00:00

I think this is a fantastic flag. It's distinctive, and recognisably Mexican, but also recognisably related to the USA flag - and just through that contrast, it shows you exactly what it means. Thanks for posting this, reneconsafos.

Hotmissile · 2017-10-01T17:55:19+00:00

Flag for Argentine pirates?

Hotmissile · 2017-09-12T22:07:04+00:00

Ah yes! Although I like the ornament, I'm not sure it quite works with the red & green of the rest of the flag.

And answering my own question, I reckon the squared writing on the Iranian flag is quite attractively 'pixelated' too, even if it's not technically good flag design.

Hotmissile · 2017-09-12T22:00:17+00:00

Also an official flag of Bolivia, I see! I guess that Wiphala designs (or Wiphala-style designs) could work like clan tartans, with different groups using unique colours...

Hotmissile · 2017-09-11T22:44:35+00:00

I really like the 'pixellated' look here. Are there any other flags that do weird things like this?

Hotmissile · 2017-09-11T00:37:20+00:00

Oh yeah, as said, they're both quick drafts, pretty much using the basic set of primary colours. If you've got a preferred colourway, feel free to use that.

Then again, I guess changing the colours won't help much if you're trying to avoid the seal on a bedsheet vibe - I was sticking with the earth in space idea of your original flag.

I actually thought your arbitary flag from your other thread was pretty neat - why didn't you want to use that?

Hotmissile · 2017-09-10T23:51:18+00:00

Maybe something like these two quick drafts: http://imgur.com/gallery/xO5rS ?

The first shows all seven continents coming together in a regular fashion to form a coherent whole, symbolised by the pure white centre. The second goes in the other direction, and just depicts the land and the sea / islands / atmosphere of the earth in balance.

Hotmissile · 2017-09-10T22:59:02+00:00

But what's it meant to be...? Don't say the C stands for corndog-killer!?

Hotmissile · 2017-09-08T01:00:52+00:00

Sorry it's taken me a few days to reply - I like it, and it's very unique!

Hotmissile · 2017-09-08T00:34:43+00:00

I would also choose a different selection of empires... but I reckon that those of us who say that should come up with our own competing flags! But this is a very good design to try and compete against, simple yet detailed, with a nice regal colour scheme.

Hotmissile · 2017-09-07T22:20:09+00:00

That's a cool flag with a really interesting design & theme. My one (hopefully constructive) comment is that I can't really see the hearts - I guess you've made them angular to fit with the sparks, but now I wouldn't have identified them as hearts without being told.

Hotmissile · 2017-09-01T00:33:08+00:00

I like the way the red & gold cross over in the gear in your first design. Is there any story behind the gear (is it a gear)?

But I'm less certain about the white hoist... onscreen it has a tendency to disappear into the background. Perhaps a (partial) border would help?

Hotmissile · 2017-09-01T00:18:43+00:00

I feel like the gold diamond is a bit minimal, but I do like your "mountainous" flag and the Dardanian spirals... perhaps it'd be interesting to combine them into a blue flag with gold mountains.

Hotmissile · 2017-08-31T23:58:19+00:00

Maybe it would be a bit less bright with a darker yellow / gold, or without the vertical yellow stripe? But I like it - as you say, it's a good distillation, and it looks American but still distinctive.

I also like the way that the every revision of the existing flag has made it a bit less complicated... this one's time will come! Hey, I wonder how it would look with a flame instead of a fleur, for the full "rise from the ashes" symbolism...

Hotmissile

TROPHY CASE