As a symbol of our nation the flag strangely aligns us with the nordic countries - it is of the same family as Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland. Yet that connection ended historically at Stamford Bridge in 1066. It bears no relation to the tricolors of our mainland neighbours (and the Irish) with whom we have much closer historical ties. I don't think we've ever forgiven them for Hastings.
I like flags. My favourites are Japan and Turkey. Simple and distinctive, they make excellent "trademarks". The one I despise the most is my own New Zealand flag. Derivitive and nondescript - it describes a nation not sure where it is or what it wants to be.

Hans Teeuwen is a famous Dutch comedian. His ideas on Freedom Of Speech are controversial at times, but a lot of people here agree with him. Watch (it's underlined).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knRLJp-nqSg

I always liked Brazil's flag.  Nepal's is different (pennant-like more than flag).  Switzerland is classic.  I also like the Marshall Islands.  The EU flag is sorta boring.  

Yep about the EU flag. Boring is as boring does. Might be something to do with the recent alternatives: (boring don't seem so bad)

I guess that's why they went for baby blue.  Red's got some bad associations . . . .

I think Japan's flag is pretty cool, and i always liked the Union Jack. Canada's flag is pretty boring to me. It doesn't have a lot of history and looks too much like a product logo or something.

I like Canada's flag.  It's eco-friendly and simple.  I bet it's the only flag with a leaf on it.  Japan's rising sun always seemed a little bit arrogant.  "Hey, we're the rising sun, MF!"  Canada is saying, "Hello there, friend, we're a maple leaf.  Can I get you some tea?"

Quoted from Mairi

I think Japan's flag is pretty cool, and i always liked the Union Jack. Canada's flag is pretty boring to me. It doesn't have a lot of history and looks too much like a product logo or something.

I think Canada's flag is a masterpiece of compromise and branding. You've got the tricolor shape to appease the French and the completely neutral maple leaf. It's instantly recognisable and a good answer to a thorny problem. NZ could use this as an example.

The Union Jack always seemed little bit schizophrenic to me.  Too many crossing lines and colors--I'm starting to feel hypnotized.  Yes, I will be a good subject.  Yes, I will mind the gap.  

Hi everyone ...thanks for welcoming me to the forum...

   The Union Flag , to give it its correct name ( it's only a Union Jack when flown from a boat or ship) is actually an

amalgam of 3 flags, Scottish ( Blue  " X"cross) English ( red cross) and Welsh ( Red X cross)...personally I always

thought it looked it's best as Pete Townshends jacket circa 1965!!!

Quoted from walrusgumboot

Hi everyone ...thanks for welcoming me to the forum...

   The Union Flag , to give it its correct name ( it's only a Union Jack when flown from a boat or ship) is actually an

amalgam of 3 flags, Scottish ( Blue  " X"cross) English ( red cross) and Welsh ( Red X cross)...personally I always

thought it looked it's best as Pete Townshends jacket circa 1965!!!

Welcome mate!

Quoted from walrusgumboot

   The Union Flag is actually an amalgam of 3 flags, Scottish ( Blue  " X"cross) English ( red cross) and Welsh ( Red X cross)...personally I always thought it looked it's best as Pete Townshends jacket circa 1965!!!

You sure? I'm pretty confident that the red diagonal is St Patricks cross representing Northern Ireland. Wales isn't represented on the Union Flag.
And its best use is Pete Townsend? - sir, I do not concur

Here's how it works:



So you can see, Wales is not represented in the flag. This is because when James VI of Scotland became James I of England, the two Kingdoms were merged, and the flag became that of Great Britain. At that time Wales was part of England. The current flag dates from 1801, when The Kingdom of Great Britain was merged with The Kingdom of Ireland, to form The United Kingdom Of Great Britain and Ireland. I hope you're all paying attention. I shall be asking questions later!

Very hypnotizing . . . I mean enlightening.

But thanks for the information. What other music forum can you get this level of sophistication from?  Not Led Zeppelin's, I think!

This was in the news recently - a Welsh MP has called for the welsh dragon to be incorporated. Here is one suggestion

Personally I think this puts too much emphasis on the dragon. I would be happy for it to appear in the upper left quandrant.