Top 5 for Flower Lovers

Spring is here, and it won’t be long until our gardens and wild spaces are blooming! After a long hiatus, Rope & Bloggle is back with a new list for those who like to stop and smell the flowers.

1. Flag of Saskatchewan

 

It’s possible that I have a biased opinion here, but my provincial flag tops the list. The yellow represents the grain fields of Saskatchewan’s south, while the green represents the forests of the north. But the main draw for this list, of course, is the province’s official flower, the western red lily.

2. Flag of Hong Kong

The central image of this flag is the flower of the Hong Kong orchid tree. Though illustrated as white on the flag, the flowers are actually a beautiful shade of purple.

3. Flag of Macau

The flower depicted on Macau’s flag is the lotus, a plant that roots underwater in the mud, its leaves and flowers emerging above the water’s surface. The lotus blooms in a range of colours, and is an important spiritual symbol in Buddhism and Hinduism.   

4. Flag of Montreal, Quebec   

By using various flowers and greenery, the flag of Montreal represents five different ethnic groups: the white pine for the Indigenous peoples, the fleur-de-lis (lily) for the French, the rose for the English, the thistle for the Scottish, and the shamrock for the Irish.

5. Flag of Kansas, U.S.A.

Above the circular state seal on the flag of Kansas is a depiction of the wild sunflower. Kansas is sometimes referred to as the Sunflower State, a result of the wild sunflower being adopted as the official state flower in 1903.  

HAPPY SPRING!!!

Top 5 for Rare Birds

I am blessed to have many "rare birds" in my life, exceptional and inspiring people with unique views and approaches to living. This post is dedicated to them and all the rare birds in the reader's world. For this list, I have chosen five flags that illustrate a rare bird in the most literal sense, a species whose population is in danger of extinction, mostly resulting from human "progress".  

1. Flag of St. Helena, United Kingdom

St. Helena is one of the most remote islands in the world, located in the South Atlantic ocean and accessible only by boat. The crest found on the island's flag includes a depiction of the St. Helena Plover, considered Critically Endangered with an estimated population of 200-250. This wading bird is endemic to the island, meaning it is not found anywhere else. It is 1 of 400 endemic species of animals and plants that call St. Helena home.

Fun fact: the St. Helena Plover, like many waders, will feign injury in order to draw predators away from their nests.

2. Flag of Dominica

 
The Imperial Amazon or Sisserou Parrot is an Endangered species that is endemic to the Caribbean island of Dominica. Only 250-350 individuals remain. As is the case with many endangered birds, its population has been affected by human encroachment, deforestation and illegal trade. In this case, the decline in numbers has also resulted from hurricanes.

Fun fact: Imperial Amazons mate for life, many remaining faithful even after their mate has died. 

3. Flag of Uganda

In the centre of Uganda's flag is the Grey Crowned Crane, the country's national bird. It has an estimated population of 30,000-50,000. This is considerably higher than the the last two birds on this list, but the species is classified as Endangered because of its rapid decline in numbers, its population dropping from 100,000 in the last 30 years.

Fun fact: the Grey Crowned Crane is one of only two crane species in the world whose toes are suited for roosting in trees.  

4. Flag of Taymyr, Russia

Taymyr is a region in the far north of Russia and is the primary breeding area for the Red-breasted Goose, also known as the Siberian Goose. Because this goose has only few wintering locations and its food supply at these locations has been threatened by human activity, its numbers are declining and the species is considered Endangered.

Fun fact: Red-breasted Geese often build their nests close to the nests of falcons and owls, using these birds of prey as protection from would-be predators.    

5. Flag of Ciskei, South Africa

The Blue Crane, also known as the Paradise Crane and Stanley Crane, is the national bird of South Africa, where 99% of its population lives. The current population is estimated to be 20,000 and the species is listed as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and poisoning from agricultural land (usually deliberate to prevent the birds from destroying crops).

Fun fact: Blue Cranes have long black feathers at the ends of their wings that look like tail feathers when their wings are folded. Their actual tail feathers are much shorter.  

Top 5 for Linguists

Here's a list for the folks who have a flair for languages! Each of the five flags I've chosen has a phrase written on it in a language other than English. These flags have been selected for their words rather than their flag designs. Some of the writing is small and may be difficult to read, so I will include the original wording along with the translation.

1. Flag of Belize

Latin: Sub Umbra Floreo
Translation: Under the Shade I Flourish

2. Flag of Saudi Arabia 

The phrase written above the sword is called the Shahada, or Islamic creed. It is written in the Thuluth script.
Translation: There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God

3. Flag of Massachusetts

Latin: Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem
Translation: By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty

4. Flag of Haiti

French: L'Union Fait la Force
Translation: In Union there is Strength

5. Flag of Brazil 

Portuguese: Ordem e Progresso
Translation: Order and Progress

Some other flags worth checking out in this category are the flags of Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Iraq, British Virgin Islands, Montana and San Marino. 
 






 

  

Top 5 for Falconers

A falconer is "a person who keeps, trains, or hunts with falcons, hawks, or other birds of prey" (google definition). I've always been immensely interested in the practice. This list is for the falconers of the world, each of the flags depicting a specific bird of prey used in falconry.   

 

1. Flag of Kazakhstan

 

 

The eagle on the flag of Kazakhstan is the Golden Eagle (also referred to as a steppe eagle, but it should not be confused with the true Steppe Eagle). It is referenced in a Kazakh proverb "There are three things a real man should have: a fast horse, a hound, and a golden eagle". The saying refers to berkutchy, the renowned Kazakh profession of hunting with the raptor. Medieval Europeans considered them to be the finest of the raptors and they were handled only by Emperors.

 



2. Flag of the Azores

The Flag of the Azores tells a rather humorous story. The title of the islands comes from the Portugese word 'açor', which translates to 'goshawk', the bird of prey illustrated on the flag. The name was adopted by early explorers because goshawks were supposedly very plentiful in the islands. As it turns out, the species was misidentified, goshawks not living in the Azores at all; the bird they saw was actually a type of buzzard. The flag, adopted in 1979, acknowledges and celebrates that error. There are several species of goshawks and they are among the most popular birds used in falconry.

3. Flag of Zambia

 

The African Fish Eagle, illustrated on the flag of Zambia, in reality looks very similar to a Bald Eagle. Not only is it the official national bird of Zambia, but also of Namibia, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. The eagle on the flag also represents the Zambians' ability to rise above all obstacles or problems their country faces. African Fish Eagles are used in falconry, but far less commonly than Golden Eagles.

 

4. Flag of Iowa, USA

The Bald Eagle, found on Iowa's flag, is the national bird of the USA and appears on several other state flags. As far as I know, it's illegal to use Bald Eagles for falconry in the USA, but they can be handled in Canada with a license. Fun fact about bald eagles taken from Guiness World Records: "The largest bird's nest was built by a pair of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and possibly their successors, near St Petersburg, Florida, USA and measured 2.9 m (9 ft 6 in) wide and 6 m (20 ft) deep. It was examined in 1963 and was estimated to weigh more than two tonnes (4,409 lb)." Craziness.

5. Flag of Mexico

Like the flag of Kazakhstan, Mexico's flag (also found on the "Top 5 for Snake Charmers" list) has a depiction of the Golden Eagle, the country's national bird. The bird on the flag is chowing down on a snake, but its prey is not limited to snakes alone. The Golden Eagle is not a picky eater and has been witnessed feasting on nearly 200 different animal species. They are used in falconry to hunt a variety of game, even large game such as deer and wolves!

Top Five for Sun Worshippers

Winter: shorter days, longer nights, the temperatures dip well below freezing, and the skies are frequently covered with snow-filled clouds. It's at this time of year that I most appreciate appearances from the sun, making the cold days feel a little less cold and depressing, giving out some much-needed Vitamin D, and melting some of the excessive ice and snow. To thank our life-giving star for its light and warmth, this list will include my five favourite flags that pay homage to the sun. There is a lot of flags depicting the sun, so this was a difficult list to compile! 

1. Flag of Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine

My favourite sun flag does not belong to a nation, but rather to a province in Eastern Ukraine, an eye-catching design of the sun rising over the Black Sea. This flag has been flown just about as close to the sun as it could get, planted by Ukrainian climbers on top of the world's highest mountain.   

2. Flag of Greenland

I love the flag of Greenland, a simple yet effective design, a red sun rising over a red ocean, surrounded by white ice. It is unique among the Nordic flags, being the only one without a Nordic Cross.

The flags of Japan ("the Land of the Rising Sun") and Bangladesh also have simple designs with a prominent red sun.

3. Flag of Argentina

The flag of Argentina is ideal for sun worshippers in the most literal sense. The "Sun of May" depicted on the flag is modelled after the Incan god of the Sun, known as Inti, worshipped by farmers in times past. A representation the sun god is also found on the flag of Uruguay.

4. Flag of Macedonia

 

"Today over Macedonia, is being born
the new sun of liberty.
Macedonians are fighting,
for their rights!"

-a verse in Macedonia's national anthem

 

5. Flag of Antigua and Barbuda

 

 

Just looking at the flag of Antigua and Barbuda makes me want to go there to escape the cold Canadian winter for a while. It's a perfect place to lay on the beach and sunbathe, well illustrated on the flag: the white representing sand, the blue representing water, and the golden sun representing the dawn of a new era.    



   

Top 5 for Trick or Treaters

Every year around this time, The Flag Shop I work at gets one or more adult customers purchasing a 3' x 5' polyester flag to use for their Halloween costume. In the spirit of the season, this list is for those Trick or Treaters looking for unique cape ideas. Happy Halloween!!!

1. Racing Flags

With a variety of plain coloured flags to choose from, the racing flags make fantastic capes for various superheroes and characters. Here's a few ideas:

Green (Start): Robin Hood, Green Lantern, Green Hornet, Green Goblin
Yellow (Danger): Robin
Red (Stop): Superman, Supergirl, Thor, King or Queen, Mighty Mouse
Blue (Move to Outside): Captain America, Wonder Woman, vintage Batman, Underdog, Wizard
White (Final Lap): Storm, Good Witch, Elvis
Black (Penalty): Witch, Warlock, Vampire, Grim Reaper, Batman 

2. St. George's Cross, Flag of England

St. George's Cross is as a perfect cape for a knight costume. And it even has some authenticity, variants of the cross used throughout history to adorn knights of the Byzantine Empire, France and England. But remember: if you're going to wear a national or provincial flag, be sure to treat it with respect!

3. Jolly Roger

The pirate flags, also known as Jolly Rogers, come in a variety of designs, the most common being variants of the skull and crossbones. They are ideal, of course, for pirate capes, and could be used for Grim Reaper costumes.

4. Flag of Norway

 

Why not use the flag of Norway for your Viking persona? Other Scandinavian flags could also work, such as Denmark, Sweden or Iceland. And there is a historic Viking raven banner as well, although it is much harder to come across.

 

5. Rainbow Flag   

I have seen the Rainbow Flag, or Pride Flag, worn as a cape more than any other flag. Usually it is worn at Pride Festivals, but I have also known it to be used as a costume piece for queer superhero characters. And recently, a customer purchased the flag for his double rainbow costume!   

Top 5 for Stargazers

An appropriate list for astronomers, astrologers, astronauts, and the folks like me, who can't help but gaze up at a star-filled sky with absolute wonder and awe. It is common to find stars on flags, but they rarely represent specific stars, constellations or asterisms. The following flags pay tribute to true stars. 

1. Flag of Brazil

"...the creators of our republican flag intended to represent the stars in the sky at Rio de Janeiro at 8:30 in the morning on 15 November 1889, the moment at which the constellation of the Southern Cross was on the meridian of Rio de Janeiro and the longer arm [of the cross] was vertical."
-Professor Paulo Araújo Duarte

Brazil's flag has 27 stars, coinciding with the country's 27 federative units (26 states, 1 Federal District). The stars, constellations and asterisms featured on the flag include Scorpio, Triangulum Australe (Southern Triangle), Sigma Octanis (South Star), Crux Australis (Southern Cross), Hydra (Water Serpent), Spica (brightest star of Virgo), Canopus, Canis Major (Greater Dog) and Procyon (brightest star of Canis Minor).     

2. Flag of Alaska, USA

The flag of Alaska honors one of the most recognizable asterisms in the northern hemisphere, the Big Dipper of the constellation Ursa Major (Larger Bear). The star in the upper corner represents Polaris, the brightest star in Ursa Minor, more commonly known as the North Star.   

3. Flag of Australia

There are 88 recognized constellations, and Crux, seen as the Southern Cross, is the smallest of them. It is easily the most common of the flag constellations, found not only on the flag of Australia, but also on the country flags of New Zealand, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and Brazil.  

The large star that stands alone, called the Commonwealth Star, does not symbolize a true star, but rather the Federation of Australia.

4. Flag of Durham, North Carolina, USA

Durham celebrates its birthday on April 26th under the constellation Taurus, or the Bull. The shoulder of Taurus is the bright star cluster called Pleiades, displayed on Durham's flag. The cluster is better known as the Seven Sisters, the seven daughters of the titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione of Greek mythology.   

5. Flag of Nunavut, Canada

Like the flag of Alaska, Nunavut's flag pays tribute to the North Star, known by the Inuit as Niqirtsuituq. Because the star is recognized as a navigational beacon, it symbolizes the strong leadership of the territory's elders as well. 

The inukshuk, like the North Star, is used as a guidepost for travelers. These stone monuments may also mark sacred sites or food caches.