Monday, October 21, 2002
State Flags, Day 5
And the lame-o flags just keep on coming ...
MASSACHUSETTS
White field with state coat of arms in center. Coat of arms features a Native American with bow and arrow and a white star. Scroll around flag reads "Ense Petit Placidam Sub Libertate Quietem," or "By the Sword We Seek Peace, but Peace Only Under Liberty."
Violates the First and Second Laws, but the lack of garish colors and a fairly simple coat of arms limits the damage.
The Massachuset Indian is OK, but it's not immediately apparent that it's MA. The arm and sword above the shield goes well with the motto.
You'd probably guess that it's one of the 13 colonies, but nothing really distinguishes it as Massachusetts.
Easier than some others.
A minuteman instead of a Native American would work much better.
MICHIGAN
Blue field with a coat of arms in the center. A moose and elk flank a blue shield that reads "TUEBOR" and pictures an armed man overlooking a sunrise over a lake. A bald eagle sits atop shield, and a red scroll reading "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is above. Below the shield is a ribbon reading "SI QUAERIS PENINSULAM AMCENAM CIRCUMSPICE."
Busy. Busy, busy, busy, busy. A moose AND an elk? Three instances of words? Detailed figures to the max? Argh!
Supposedly the moose and elk are symbols of Michigan. News to me ...
Really not much to signify Michigan to other Americans.
Please.
Whoa. Lowest score straight up.
MINNESOTA
Deep blue field with state seal in the center. Seal features a farmer and Native American surrounded by a wreath with three dates: 1819, 1858, and 1893. Outer circle of seal depicts 19 stars and "MINNESOTA."
Very busy, though the figures aren't that detailed.
The dates refer to Minnesota history, as do the farmer and Native American. The wreath features the state flower, so that's OK>
Standard "Hi, my name is ... " score.
Small, crowded seal.
Pretty boring.
MISSISSIPPI
Horizontal tricolor of red, white, and blue. CSA battle flag in the union square.
Many object to the CSA battle flag. I don't mind it, but I have to acknowledge the controversy. Objectively, though, it's a nice, crisp design.
Very obviously a southern state, though it doesn't really delineate MS.
With the demise of GA's old flag, the only one with the actual CSA battle flag left.
Pretty easy.
The Confederate controversy knocks it down. Would probably be a 25, otherwise.
MISSOURI
Horizontal tricolor of red, white, and blue. State seal in center surrounded by anouter blue band with 24 white stars. Seal features two grizzly bears and a lot of other crap. Check the link for a better description of the seal.
Seal with words and detailed figures knocks it down.
Twenty-fourth state. Date of admission. Grizzly bears????
Somewhat well-known, but the bears will throw you off. Since when did MO have bears?
Seal is a toughie.
Show Me a better seal!
# posted by Eric @ 4:29 PM 
