The world's flags given letter grades

ahpc-jp30.st-and.ac.uk ^ | N/A | Josh Parsons

[swilhelm73]

The world's flags given letter grades

Introduction

Some time ago, browsing through my friend's atlas, I realised that there are significant differences in quality between the flags of different countries. Some are good, some are bad. Some countries have clearly taken care in the choice of colours, layout, and design. Others have been lazy, stolen the flags of their neighbours, or just designed flags that are clearly supposed to cause pain to those who look at them.

To my surprise, there is no international body responsible for upholding simple standards of vexillilic aesthetics. Nor do the UN or Interpol have the power to call in and punish those responsible for such atrocities as the Brazilian or Cypriot flags. I suppose there is probably a conspiracy of rich western nations (those with permanent seats on the UN security council, no doubt) to prevent such crimes from being brought to justice; however, in the meantime I am giving letter grades to the existing flags of the world.

You can read about the methodology I used. You can read the results alphabetically, by country name, or by grade, or broken down by grade:

• A grades,
• B grades,
• C grades,
• failing grades.

[swilhelm73]

I found this fairly amusing - and it is interesting to see some of the more obscure flags out there...

[shaggy eel]

,,, C grade BUMP.

[general_re]

C+ bump....

[shaggy eel]

,,, does that plus have anything to do with the upsized fiscal deficit you ordered with your fries?

[xp38]

The Union Jack with its crosses to me is the best flag in terms of design.

[general_re]

Do I detect a hint of jealousy at the grading? ;)

[Lurking Libertarian]

I actually think Brazil's flag is pretty good.

[shaggy eel]

,,, not at all. Nobody would be jealous of a deficit that high, but the abilty to print more money as you wish... yep, you've got me there!

[AgThorn]

C+??? Too busy? too many stars? well I'll keep my busy starry flag and it will stay just as it is, unless we go and add another state (heaven forbid) ... maybe we need to fold in some of the little states as we add new big ones, for the sole reason of leaving the stars at a 50 count!!

[Congressman Billybob]

This is a brilliant and unique piece of work. My only quarrel with this piece, and it's a minor one. The suthor has a problem with the standard 3:5 ratio of national flags. Used to be there was one nation whose flag was a pennant (triangular) rather than square or rectangular.

I've pinged this to some FR friends to suggest that they pung this to their lists. This is definitely one of the tidbits the Internet offers up, that well deserve being shared widely.

Thanks again for finding and sharing this.

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread). Please do it now.

[Congressman Billybob]

This is a brilliant and unique piece of work. My only quarrel with this piece, and it's a minor one. The suthor has a problem with the standard 3:5 ratio of national flags. Used to be there was one nation whose flag was a pennant (triangular) rather than square or rectangular. Apparently that nation has changed its mind.

I've pinged this to some FR friends to suggest that they ping this to their lists. This is definitely one of the tidbits the Internet offers up, that well deserve being shared widely.

Thanks again for finding and sharing this.

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread). Please do it now.

[Plutarch]

Yes, the U.S. flag does have 50 stars, but that doesn't necessarily make it too busy . The eye doesn't see 50 stars, rather a pattern of stars on a background, ala polka-dots.

It is interesting how much different Old Glory is than the other flags. Should have some originality points, I would think.

The colors, although not original, should be credited with the quality of indelibility. France has the same colors, however we all know that with the U.S. flag, the colors don't run.

[general_re]

It's great, isn't it? As long as those wacky foreigners keep on buying T-bills, we can do this pretty much forever ;)

[Snowy]

Japan gets an A??? That is the butt-ugliest flag ever!

[scarface367]

No, Libya has the butt-ugliest flag.

[shaggy eel]

,,, the wacky foreigners are holding the Treasury paper and they're getting US jobs as well. I bet they think it's great.

[Snowy]

No, Libya has the butt-ugliest flag.

Yes, I supposed you're right. That flag took a lot of thought.

[general_re]

So what are they gonna do? Render their own investments worthless? Won't that be fun to watch ;)

[spetznaz]

LOL. Loved the site.

Bump.

[xp38]

Libya's plain green flag apparently honors Islam. For some reason unknown to me green is the color of Islam.