Some More Fun with Flags

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

Following some of my vexillological shenanigans in the merger thread, and with more discussion, especially on the topic of Benito-Florencia "reunision", I figured I'd have another round of flags put out. These first three are intended for the retained cantons of the proposed province.

	The flag of Garibaldi Canton (also known on the wiki as Lançacuratx) depicts the provincial flag in the...well, the canton of an otherwise red field, emblematic of the Redshirts, the volunteer followers of Italian republican, revolutionary, and military leader Giuseppe Garibaldi throughout his various campaigns. The emblem, a star within a gear, recalls both a general "revolutionary" motif, but also more specifically alludes to the emblem of the current Republic of Italy, a form of government for which Garibaldi unsuccessfully strove over his life.
	The flag of Mazzini Canton (also known on the wiki as Utulfaçeir) likewise feature the provincial flag in the canton, but in this case the field is green. This is done in part to continue using Italian colors -- Mazzini was an ally of Garibaldi and another prominent Italian republican, which inspired the choice of the eagle carrying a star in its beak as the emblem. The eagle was a symbol of ancient Rome -- Mazzini being a "Triumvir" of a "restored" Roman Republic -- and the star is often associated with republicanism and democracy.
	The flag of Florencia Canton uses for its field the current Florencian shade of blue. Bearing three gold stripes, surrounded by a circle of fourteen fleurs-des-lis, the flag both recalls the current Florencian flag and the historical number of seats in the Florencian Nimlet (as per the wiki).

I also wanted to bring your attention to the Finnish practice of the "household pennant". Basically, Finns fly very long, narrow flags, either versions of the national flag or of regional flags, at their homes. Generally, this is done to relate that the home's occupants are present; think of it as an everyman's version of the White House flying the American flag when the President is present, or Buckingham Palace flying the Royal Banner when the monarch is in.

While an interested tradition in its own right, I notice that the pennant for Lapland is in fact a green-red bicolor (even if the exact shades or not identical, they're quite close). In other words, if we wished to make this a Talossan thing -- which feels fitting given our nation's very name and motto are taken directly from the Finnish language -- then the adopted Talossaware necessary is already very easily available simply by googling "Lappi isännänviiri".

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

Since the table doesn't really let you bring the images to full resolution, I have them extracted from the table here:

   

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I am really enamored with the Florencian canton flag. The ring of fleur-de-lis is nice.

[Açafat del Val]

@Mic'haglh Autófil, what software do you use for these designs? Do you use more than one?

I said elsewhere that I don't want to see the Florencia flag tarnished by a canton, but otherwise your designs are absolutely wonderfully brilliant. Even if you create art only when the inspiration hits you, I hope that your passion does not cease. Please continue to post and create and mix. Seeing this post has stirred me for the first time in a very long time to open Inkscape and doodle.

[Danihel Txechescu]

@Mic'haglh Autófil, what software do you use for these designs? Do you use more than one?

I said elsewhere that I don't want to see the Florencia flag tarnished by a canton, but otherwise your designs are absolutely wonderfully brilliant. Even if you create art only when the inspiration hits you, I hope that your passion does not cease. Please continue to post and create and mix. Seeing this post has stirred me for the first time in a very long time to open Inkscape and doodle.

I second this. Besides not seeing the point on merging (and personally opposing the proposal against the great Maricopa), it is worth noting that these designs and those published elsewhere are very, very pretty. Keep that up!

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

@Mic'haglh Autófil, what software do you use for these designs? Do you use more than one?

I said elsewhere that I don't want to see the Florencia flag tarnished by a canton, but otherwise your designs are absolutely wonderfully brilliant. Even if you create art only when the inspiration hits you, I hope that your passion does not cease. Please continue to post and create and mix. Seeing this post has stirred me for the first time in a very long time to open Inkscape and doodle.

There is actually a program out there simply called FlagMaker. I found it on Reddit probably...eight years ago, give or take. I use version 1.7, 2.0 never worked properly on my computer.

For some of the fancier stuff I'll lay things out in FlagMaker and then export as an SVG to bring it up in Illustrator. Heraldry and the ID cards were just straight-up started in Illustrator.

And thank you! I know that your opposition to the flag is opposition to what it would represent, as opposed to anything personal. :)

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

Putting this here for now, simply because I'm not sure if there's a place to make suggestions to the Minister of STUFF, but:

I wanted to track down some places one could get custom flags made. I've found a few options, and would be happy to help facilitate things on behalf of whoever ends up as MinSTUFF in the next term.

Unfortunately, I could find only one business in the GTA that might make flags -- and I mean might. These may be the sort of feather-shaped flags used outside businesses as opposed to standard rectangular flags. In any event, they can be found here: Olympus Custom Print.

I did find a few other places that more obviously do "flags", and can create custom orders.
Hit-Tex Flags
24 Hour Wristbands
MBR Marketing
Humphrys Flag Company

Now obviously I can't speak to design vs. quality of any of these places just yet -- we want to make sure we get our money's worth, after all -- but I at least wanted to get these things out there as a prelude to hopefully bringing more TalossaWare to the people.

[GV]

Since the table doesn't really let you bring the images to full resolution, I have them extracted from the table here:

   

I make no comments on the designs themselve say to say the execution of those designs is stunning.  However much traction these designs ultimately get, do not let any obstacles stop you from continuing work.  This stuff is truly beautiful.

[Mic’haglh Autófil, SMC EiP]

Howdy folks! Back again with another vaguely-discussed merger proposal and what it could mean for Talossan vexillology. In this case, we have a union of Benito and Vuode, which I have tentatively referred to as Gjandă. A Talossanization of ghianda -- the Italian word for acorn -- the name is chosen to refer to the area's historic role as the seat of the Oldest-Growth Talossans, using a term meant to evoke the national mammal, the squirrel, while also nodding to the Italian-heavy population of the Benito area in particular. Acorns are very small objects that can become very large, sturdy oak trees, and it is hoped that Talossa shall endure in similar fashion despite the humility of its beginnings.

So what then of Vuode? Taken from the Finnish word for bed (albeit a butchered pronunciation), the province appears to only survive in fairly abstract terms. Hence, to strengthen this association somewhat, I chose to go fairly hard in this direction with the flag design. While not taken from the flag of Vuode itself, the flag is an explicit nod to the province's "mother tongue", as well as that of the national motto and even that of the nation's name itself. Utilizing the exact proportions of the flag of Finland (including the unusual 11:18 ratio), the flag consists of the Bicoloreu overlaid with a white Nordic cross. An alternate design, also shown below, positions this division of the field as a vertical one, evoking the Italian tricolor in another nod to Benitian influence.

   

Cantonal Flags

Garibaldi Canton
Keeping the gear/star emblem from the previous entry, now using the 5-3-10 stripe widths from the Finnish flag (in other words, these cantonal flags also all utilize the 11:18 ratio)


Mazzini Canton
Similarly keeping the eagle/star emblem, ported to the new design theme.


Vuode Canton
The historic seat of Talossa gets something slightly different. As you all may have noticed ( :P ), I'm a fan of somewhat modernist, geometric flag design. Especially considering that this sort of design school was more in vogue when Talossa was founded, it seems fitting to apply it to the historic heart of the nation. As a result -- and to fit the theme -- I created a design inspired by the Sami flag, tweaked to fit the overall template.


Dun Cestour Canton
Dun Cestour Canton is comprised of three parishes, one of which is named in reference to Fritz von Buchholtz, Baron of Capitol & Locust. A key figure in Talossan history, both "ancient" and more modern, von Buchholtz's arms are represented in a minimalist interpretation on the division of the field here.