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Ranking the world's best and worst flags
Gambia's great, Senegal plagiarized, and Libya didn't even try. So says a fun new evaluation of the flags of every nation in the world. In an admittedly unscientific ranking of the world's flags, high marks are given for good color schemes and originality, while grades are lowered for the presence of weapons, writing, and "too many stars."
Here's the unflattering commentary on Saint Lucia's flag: "Best corporate logo. Makes me want to invest money there."
The flag of Turkmenistan is described as vomit inducing, while the lowest-ranking flag, that of the Northern Marianas Islands, "appears to have been constructed from clip art."
I've always been partial to the flag of South Africa, while I find the flag of Guam to be hideous beyond comprehension. In my book, Bhutan's flag (seen above) wins the award for most bad-ass, barely edging out Mozambique's, which features an AK-47.
Check out the highly entertaining rankings here, in order from best to worst. The ranking methodology is described here.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Gambia, Libya, Senegal, Bhutan, Turkmenistan
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Admiral Blas May 14th 2008 11:22AM
If you did your research Mr. Hotfelder, you would have known that it was Mrs. Helen L. Paul, the wife of an American Navy Officer who designed the Guam flag in 1917, and not the people of Guam. The design later became known to the Americans as the “UNINCORPORATED”-TERRITORIAL flag of Guam. We are a mere procession of the U.S. It was not a flag designed for independence, but rather dependence.
On some level agree. It is not the best flag in the world. In my observance of the world flags, some of the well-designed yet simple flags tend to be from the world powers. For example, you do not see United States with the Statue of Liberty in the background and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA across the flag. Japan’s flag is simply a red dot, which representing the rising sun. And when you think about how within these past years the Yen has been getting stronger against the dollar, it really starts to make a statement. The flag is not everything. However, to some it may mean so.
The red borders were added on to the flag by the Guamanians after the WWII to symbolize the bloodshed from the numerous Japanese atrocities that occurred during the occupation. This was the result of the Americans ditching Guam. They knew that the Japanese were going to invade Guam. However, the U.S. government claimed they didn’t have the money to fortify the island, so instead they chose to leave quietly, not saying a word to Guamanians. Japan invaded the island shortly after the bombardment of Pearl Harbor. It is also worthy knowing that during the Vietnam War, per capita more Guamanians died than any other ethnic group. This may have been the only time when brown people were given the chance to stay at the “FRONT of the LINE”.
I just wanted you to know Mr. Hotfelder, instead of degrading other world flags; you should try to find something more appropriate to spend your time on. Like find a cure for cancer! Also, my father is a Guamanian, which makes me one. I am deeply offended that you of all people have the nerve!!! If you do not have the whole story, then don’t publish the book. You idiot! I am 18 years old, and I feel I have more common sense then you do.
Admiral Blas May 14th 2008 12:09PM
Excuse me, I ment to say that Guam is an Unincorporated Territory of the U.S.
JP Aug 9th 2008 1:48AM
Aaron and Justin, how did you two become the authority on Flags? I'm very impressed that your tastes are representative of every single being in the world. I too would like to someday be as world reknowned and respected as yourselves. But I guess anyone with a computer and the ability to type can post a ranking. With that said, I'll start with my own.
The two biggest idiots in the entire world:
1. Aaron Hotfelder
2. Justin Glow
Don't worry Justin, you were barely edged out by Aaron. Aaron won because he couldn't even write his own piece. He had to plagiarize yours.....Unbelievable.
sherjil Oct 10th 2008 2:49AM
The best flag in the world is pakistani flag.
i love with pakistan
and it is my favrt country
and
u?
joe Oct 23rd 2008 12:26AM
why is portugal a d for their flag. thats messed up. pakastan and iraq beat them. there flags are horrible, worst then there country!
JJ Apr 1st 2009 9:58PM
i think the best flag woould have to be MEXICO!
There is no other better flag in the world.
Mike Apr 4th 2009 11:26PM
the city of portland, oregon has the best flag i've ever seen
cameron blanton Apr 8th 2009 11:31PM
my faveriot flag is the rebel flag. im not racist. im just proud of my southern heritige. i love black people
HERITIGE NOT HATE
Emanuela Apr 21st 2009 5:06PM
I think the most beautiful flags on earth are the Albanain flag, the Siri Lanka flak and the United States flag. To be objective those flags are very beautiful and they have meanings in each countries history. Those are 3 of the best flags on earth ;)
shiko Nov 20th 2009 3:51PM
Egyptian flag is the best flag in the world
Rob Brooks-Bilson Jan 14th 2008 6:27PM
aaron, Justin already posted this back in Jan of 2007 ;-)
http://www.gadling.com/2007/01/18/the-worlds-flags-given-letter-grades/
Justin Glow Jan 14th 2008 7:44PM
Though it's worthy of another post. ;)
Aaron Hotfelder Jan 14th 2008 9:00PM
Well, I was trying to celebrate its almost-one-year anniversary then.
Marilyn Terrell Jan 15th 2008 12:58AM
It may be old but it's still good! I love the little icons indicating Bad Colors, Weapons, Writing, and Too Busy. The author raises an intriguing question about Kyrgyzstan: IS that a tennis ball on this flag?
Mike Sanders Jan 19th 2008 2:46AM
I think that Israel's blue and white flag, is beautiful. I had never seen it flying, until recently... Someone in my neighborhood, had both the United States and Israel's flags, flying next to one another. I realize that it was a political statement, but it was beautiful, anyway.