Friday, November 01, 2002
State Flags, Day 9
Almost there!
SOUTH DAKOTA
Sky blue field with the state seal in the center. Seal is surrounded by a 24-point blazing sun. Arround the seal and sun are the words "SOUTH DAKOTA THE MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE." State seal is black/white and features an agrarian scene and lots of words.
Aside from the plethora of words and the seal, this one actually doesn't look that bad. I'm thinking it's the sun on the sky blue field that saves it.
Well, it says "MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE" but doesn't have Rushmore on there. The seal is pretty bland, too, and the sun in the sky I'd associate more with Montana. Sorry.
If you don't get the "MOUNT RUSHMORE STATE" reference, "SOUTH DAKOTA" might do it for you.
The seal.
Not bad for a cookie-cutter flag.
TENNESSEE
Crimson field broken by a thin vertical blue stripe at the fly end, with a white border. The center of the flag is a blue circle (again with white border). Within the circle are three white, five-pointed stars.
Very solid.
The central circle's three stars stand for the three land types in TN. Not too exciting.
The central circle is pretty well known.
Odd angles of the three stars limit it here.
One of our nation's best flags.
TEXAS
A blue union, 1/3 of the flag's fly, occupies the full hoist, while the remainder of the field is divided equally, with a white bar atop a red bar. At the center of the blue field is a lone, white, five-pointed star.
About as simple a flag as they come, while retaining much individual flair. Easy colors, easy shapes, strong lines. "Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas -- one and indivisible."
Too much history to go into, but the lone star, coupled with US colors tell the story. Declare your solitary independence. Become a nation. Look to join the US. Retain your individuality. Be a Lone Star.
Unless you're from Chile, this flag instantly means Texas all around the world.
So simple, millions of kindergarteners draw it every year in Texas.
Hands down, the winner of the contest. The Texas flag would likely fare extremely well in the international competition, too.
UTAH
Blue field with state coat of arms at the center. Seal features a central beehive on a shield bearing the words "INDUSTRY" and "UTAH." A bald eagle sits atop the shield, and crossed American flags are behind. Below the shield are the dates 1847 and 1896.
Very lame; violates so many laws. I'm starting to think that there should be some Corrolarys to my Flag Laws. #1. Dates suck even more that words. #2. Flags should generally not feature other flags. (The last one might or might not apply to certain Commonwealth states. Depends on how it fits in.)
The Beehive State. The dates are significant with Mormon settlement and statehood.
Boy, when I think "Industry," I think "Utah." Or not.
Detailed figures, words, etc.
Blah.
VERMONT
Blue field with the state coat of arms in the center. Coat of arms features a pine tree, a cow, and wheat. Shield is surrounded by pine branches and topped by a deer's head. Below the shield is a ribbon reading "VERMONT FREEDOM AND UNITY".
The coat of arms actually looks pretty nice. It's got a cow! But still, as a flag ... no.
Not a whole lot of significance with the pines. The Green Mountains are in the scene, but that's it.
"VERMONT" is small on the ribbon.
The shield's border and the pine boughs are so intricate as to be ridiculous.
As a flag ... zzzzzzzzzzzz.
# posted by Eric @ 12:48 AM 
