August 26, 2003
one flag, in need of a nation
One day I was sitting at my desk, and I thought up a flag. Then I realised that it might make a good replacement for the current New Zealand one. So I drew it up and it looked pretty good to me.
So there it is.
Why do I think it would make a good NZ flag?
1. It has that oh-so-flag-like quality of three horizontal stripes.
2. It is pretty much comprised of a koru - one of two singularly recognisable symbols (the other being a silver fern).
3. It isn't black (which is a colour of mourning, the national anthem may be a dirge, but the flag doesn't have to echo that sentiment).
4. The three parts of the flag represent important elements about New Zealand and the New Zealand experience.
The green represents the land. The blue represents the sea, and the sky (depending on how you look at it). The white (or silver) koru represents the long white cloud, or the people of New Zealand. Yes, that does mean the people of New Zealand are white, but you could interpret it as the spirit of the people if you felt inclined to.
5. The koru represents new life unfolding (that's a gross generalisation, but I'm prepared to stand by it for now).
6. The koru (being a Maori symbol) balances the inherant westerness of the flag, and the tranditional western approach of three horizontal stripes. Taking an indigenous symbol for a western purpose recognises a fair amount of NZ history.
7. It is a visually simple image which is easily recognisable out of your average lineup of flags.
8. (continuing in the trademark NZ vein) the blue, green and white support the clean, green NZ image.
And I'm starting to repeat myself, so I'll stop.
Note: I'm sad to loose the southern cross from the flag, but it just doesn't fit into an available corner somehow.
Other note: I'm not in a hurry to replace the current flag. But when the time comes for a change, I'd rather it was something that represents some of the things I value in NZ, and is not painful on the eye.
Yet another note: I'm quite happy to keep it for my own if something else turns out to get chosen.
And yet another note: Of course a person can have a flag. My granddad sailed his ocean going yacht under his own flag during world war two (he objected to the swastika, which is what he was legally supposed to use).
Posted by carla at August 26, 2003 11:26 PMfor so many reasons,
no.
just no, "carla".
I kinda like it...
Posted by: Siobhann at August 27, 2003 11:00 AMlooks like the New Zealand Queer Beer Liberation Front gets the flag then.
Posted by: .carla at August 27, 2003 12:21 PMWooohoo!
Posted by: Fionnaigh at August 27, 2003 12:48 PMEl Presedente declares flag of republico de beer "lovely".
Posted by: Siobhann at August 28, 2003 10:32 AMIn my opinion 'just no' has crossed the border of rudeness and entered a country where this flag should not apply.
Posted by: Ceri at August 28, 2003 10:47 AMCan I be in the flag country? (But not with the beer?)
Are there sheep there? Is it raining?
Posted by: iona at August 28, 2003 12:51 PMsorry. the beer is non-negotiable. however it will only be supplied to people who:
a) appreciate a good beer, and
b) are still nice people when they have consumed many quantities of the stuff.
:)
I suspect it rains enough to water crops etc, and there are probably sheep to provide warm wooly garments.
Posted by: .carla at August 28, 2003 03:19 PMBut is it raining there *now*? Cos if not, I request a transfer, sir.
(Ooops, did I just call you 'sir'? Sorry.)
Maybe I could get dual citizenship. (But would I then have to get up at dawn to shoot people?)
Posted by: iona at August 28, 2003 03:34 PMWool is fabulous, isn't it? It really is worth having sheep just for that purpose.
Posted by: Eleanor at August 28, 2003 04:29 PMplus they make that cool "baaa" noise, and are good in comics :)
Posted by: bec at August 28, 2003 04:32 PMYup. I think it probably is raining.
But there is an open fire and some lovely stout (accompanied by cheese and bresh bread and some tamarillos. So I don't think I mind.
Posted by: .carla at August 28, 2003 04:53 PMsorry for offence
i didn't realise there were tamarillos
Please may I be in the beer country... especially if we have state-supported beer picnics and tramps in summer to appreciate the green and blueness represented by the flag (and so long as I get to keep Nige. Nige drinks beer).
Posted by: karen at August 28, 2003 08:36 PMState sanctioned beer in the town square every morning. A popular beer movement and patriotic ale ballads.
Viva!
Sheep in front of an open fire?
Posted by: Siobhann at August 28, 2003 09:56 PMPerhaps I'll live next door in New Blackcurrant Cordial.
Posted by: iona at August 29, 2003 08:26 AMAnd we'll insist upon singing said patriotic beer ballads before sporting events. (*bloody* IRB.)
I like to think republico de beer (rdb) will be supportive of non-alcoholic choices. Perhaps we should have a Cider and Sundry Others district?
Large native reserves shall be instituted forthwith, and there will be tramping tracks around suburban gardens, so as to afford access to the lovely green swathes closer to home.
Posted by: .carla at August 29, 2003 09:00 AMSounds bloody excellent. I assume that depressomedia will be avilable in case of emergencies?! I doubt there would be any though.
Posted by: Eleanor at August 29, 2003 10:18 AMsheep in front of the fire...come on, they'd have to be roasting on the spit....
I drink stella's.. is that a good enough beer to allow me citizenship... I do belguim, dutch, gernan beers too. just never drink lione rougue....and nevermind about the southern cross, the aussies have got that, how about Mars, shes become a local lately?
:)
lione rougue. yeah, you'll do.
Technically there are a large stack of countries that have a perfectly adequate claim to the Southern Cross, so I guess it stays off.
Posted by: .carla at August 29, 2003 04:04 PMCan you still come if you don't (often) drink beer? cos it does sound very nice…
Posted by: Eleanor at August 29, 2003 05:51 PMrdb is the best acronym the world has ever seen
Posted by: Richard D. Bartlett at August 29, 2003 07:21 PM