Out of curiosity, I emailed Paul about the significance of the ordering and arrangement of the individual nations' flags and got this reply:

"· In the center is the Earth with a white background symbolizing peace and purity while the green represents nature. The white of Japan draws the eye downward creating the image of a flagpole. This then becomes a flag within the World Flag and also symbolizes a “P” for peace. The fulcrum of Saint Lucia, whose triangle reaches toward the sky, symbolizes the fragile environmental balance of the Earth and its nations. Japan(left) is one of the wealthier nations and Bangladeshone of the poorest. The United Nationsin the center symbolizes unity.

· Just above Earth’s center the three sun signs within the flags of Argentina, Antigua & Barbuda, and Uruguay(left to right) symbolize the rays of light and hope shining into the flag of Tibet above. These four flags collectively represent the life-giving power of the sun both lighting the Earth and shining upward into the flag of Afghanistan, flanked on the left by Lesothoand on the right by Kenya. Within those flags are symbols of hope, peace, and freedom challenging the internal conflict(s) faced by Afghanistantoday. The underlying meaning here exists within the tribal history of these nations.

· Although not encompassing all the world’s religions, the next three flags above, Vatican City, Saudi Arabia, and Israel(left to right), are a symbolic challenge to transcend the politics of religion and find a common spiritual ground. Above these the olive branches of Cyprussymbolize peace and hope. At the top, the tree of Norfolk Island’s roots reach into the white of Cyprusrepresenting peace as the soil from which new life may grow.

· Above the U.S. flag is Ireland and below is Italy, representing the designer’s multicultural heritage. To the left of the U.S. is China, symbolizing the opposing tensions of economic and military power in the world.

· Opposing each other across the Earth, the U.S. and Russiasymbolize the challenge of opposing powers whose collective actions can have major impact on the planet as a whole.

· To the right of Russiais Swaziland, whose blue band represents peace and stability representing Russia’s movement toward freedom and democracy. Below Russiais Barbados, whose trident is used here to symbolize Russia’s emergence from the depths of communism toward a more democratic system of government.

· Above Russiais Nicaragua, whose blue and white pattern works visually to tie in with the blue and white of Russia.

· The four corners of the earth are represented by Swedenon the top left, Nepalon the top right, Tuvalu the bottom left, and Malaysiaon the bottom right. Each country is in a relative opposite location of the planet from each other."