Folly of the Faithful Canine

Flagging Interest

2025-06-15T01:45:07Z

You’ve likely heard of Betsy Ross, upholsterer of yore.
The making of a U.S. flag is what she’s noted for,
Specifically the second one, developed to replace
The Continental Colors for a not-so-British face.

Alas, the only evidence is family tradition,
And almost all historians regard it with suspicion.
The story wasn’t publicized for more than 90 years
And wasn’t even written down before then, it appears.

If Ross had any input in the second flag’s design,
She changed the stars from six to five points; Washington said, “Fine.”
But in the Revolution, just one person made the claim
Of making the design, and Francis Hopkinson’s his name.

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Flag Tips

2023-06-12T03:19:42Z

Vexillologists (those who like studying flags)
Have assembled consistent advice
For people who want to design a new flag.
Here are ways you can make it look nice.

The first basic principle: Make it so simple
That children can draw it by rote,
With focus on one major shape and no different
Design on the back side to note.

Rule 2 is to have every visual element
Serve as a symbol of sorts.
Make sure that the group whom the flag represents
Can appreciate what it imports.

Pick two or three shades from a limited palette:
Red, yellow, green, black, white, and blue.
Let light colors separate dark or vice versa.
In grayscale, it ought to come through.

Do not include writing, not even one letter.
Most wouldn’t look right in reverse.
This isn’t a seal; it gets viewed from a distance.
To use the group name’s even worse.

If this group connects with another, you might
Want to go with a common motif,
But don’t use a pattern too much like another;
You’d better not look like a thief.

The overall shape of a regular rectangle
Helps a flag minimize wear.
The upper-left corner, the canton, is seen
With no wind, so you might put stuff there.

Let lone individuals make the designs;
Then committees can choose the best one.
All rules have exceptions, but break them with caution.
That covers the basics. Have fun!

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Our Beautiful Flag?

2021-07-04T19:01:57Z

For years, I have seen the American flag
As a quite problematic design.
The pattern of stripes and the corner of stars
Aren’t a natural choice to combine.

If not for the subsequent meaning assigned,
We would hardly use red, white, and blue
In a color scheme meant to be worn as a fashion.
(That’s something that Waldo would do.)

It’s tricky to draw in an accurate way,
Even more if the canvas is tiny,
And every new state means a star must be added.
The prospect makes some of us whiny.

That said, I admire how easy it is
To distinguish from all other flags,
Including Liberia’s, even sans color.
Guess that’s a good reason to brag.

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