Portland Flag Association Publication 1 Portland Flag Association “Free, and Worth Every Penny!” Issue 21 April 2009 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The Sun in Flags The Sun in Flags 1 By Robert Stephens Portugal’s flag where one can see a The independence revealed in shield sitting on top of a circle. The 2 Flag Related Websites flags has a universal representa- circle behind Portugal’s coat of Remembering Doug Lynch 3 tion that shows us that a group arms is actually a shape represent- has the right of sovereignty. The ing an astronomical device called an Next Meeting Announcement 4 general symbolisms of the 192 armillary sphere. The armillary Inauguration Flags 4 flags of United Nation member states are linked through astro- April 2009 Flutterings 5 logical representation. Of the as- The Flag Quiz 7 trological symbols shown in flags there are three classifications: planets, moons and stars. The star is the most common symbol in flags, a characteristic that is con- fusing in its representation. I have Portugal classified the image of stars on sphere has the earth at its center in flags into the four categories of order to track the Sun in relation to constellations, asterisms, clusters the earth. The entire armillary and specific stars. A specific star, sphere is actually a symbol of the such as the Sun, is a mystery on Sun, a sign of wisdom and knowl- flags due to its indirect represen- edge. tation leading to a discussion of what its true meaning is. The Sun Another example of a hidden image on flags is a symbol that has dif- of the Sun would be Iran’s flag. A ferent shapes, colors and signifi- cances. The shape of the Sun can be full circles, half circles or hidden im- agery. The common representa- A patriot wraps himself tion is the circle, but this shape is around the flag to protect an illusion in itself. The Sun as a Iran 1964-1979 Variant (Continued on page 2) it; a scoundrel wraps it hidden image is exemplified in around himself to defend If you wish to compliment the editor, or to contribute in the future, contact John Hood himself. — Unknown at 503-238-7666 or [email protected]. If you wish to complain, call your mother. 2 Portland Flag Association Publication The Sun in Flags power comes from God. White is in their flags. associated with cardinal points, (Continued from page 1) especially East and West where Overall, the significance of the Sun the Sun is born and dies each day. in flags throughout history has variation of the state flag of Iran Red in the Bangladesh flag stands given a direction for people to from 1964-1979, with its coat of for the blood spilled for their in- show their right to rule though reli- arms at the center, shows the Lion dependence and the rising sun. gious notation. The form, color and and the Sun being encompassed by meaning of the Sun in flags have an olive wreath with a royal crown been quite controversial due to at its peak. The modern flag of Iran their direct relationship to God or contains the Islamic Republic coat gods in the past. The Sun is above of arms made up of four crescents you and hidden symbolically in the that are a stylization of the word flags of the world. for “Allah” and a sword in the cen- ter with a “shadda” on top, dou- Bangladesh bling the strength of the sword. The red rising sun is the rebirth of life. The blue sun in a flag repre- sents the heavens where the Sun lives; it also expresses a detach- ment from the things of this world and the flight of the liber- ated soul towards God, who lives Iran (current) in the Sun. On the flag of Ethio- pia, the central emblem is a blue While the entire symbol represents circle representing the peace of a tulip, the current and previous heaven; the star, a pentagram with Some Flag Related Websites coats of arms both contain a similar Sun’s rays, represents the House circular design representing the Sun NAVA http://www.nava.org of King Solomon to show their as a general representation of God. relationship to God. Flag Institute (United Kingdom) Pre-Islamic Arab pagans considered http://www.flaginstitute.org solar eclipses and other celestial incidences as signs indicating the Flags of the World http:// passing of an important figure or www.fotw.net other earthly events. Elmer’s Flag & Banner http:// The specific color of the Sun on www.elmersflag.com flags has a significant meaning and Ethiopia The significance of the Sun on a Darwin, Northern Territory relationship to its identity. The flag has a religious connotation (Australia) http:// most common color of the Sun on that speaks to all nationalities. www.nationalflags.com.au flags is either yellow or gold and, in Mankind has long recognized the descending order, white, red, or- Flag Society of Australia http:// Sun’s role in supporting life on ange and blue. Yellow is part of the www.flagsaustralia.com.au Earth and, as such, many societies divine essence on Earth. It became throughout history have paid Flag Research Center http:// the attributing power of princes, homage to the Sun by giving it an www.flagresearchcenter.com kings and emperors and proclaims important role in their religion that the divine source of their Southern African Vexillological and mythology, and by extension Assoc. http://www.sa-va.org.za Portland Flag Association Publication 3 Goodbye, Doug Remembering Doug ordinance to adopt his new design. After he and PFA members testi- Lynch fied before the council, the new By Ted Kaye flag became official (city code sec- I first met Doug Lynch in 1997, tion 1.06.010) and Doug again when I was signing copies of made local vexillographic history. Flags of the Native Peoples of He felt a personal connection to his the U.S. at the Oregon Historical designs. When I called to tell him Society’s annual holiday author’s how Portland’s flag rated among Douglas Lynch 1913-2009 party. He struck up a conversa- American city flags in the 2004 tion, saying that he’d studied flags NAVA survey, Doug’s immediate With the flag he designed. and had designed the flag of the question about it to me was, “How City of Portland. When I stood did I do?”—it was seventh out of Doug Lynch, the long-time dean of up, shook his hand, and ex- 150. the graphic design community in claimed “You must be Doug He often remarked that he was Portland, died April 17 at age Lynch!”, he was flabbergasted amazed to find others who shared 96. He practiced and taught art that anyone knew or remembered. from boyhood. His career evolved his interest in flag design, and he from creating store window dis- In 2002, after I got to know him, began attending PFA meetings plays for Meier & Frank, to creating I invited him to speak to the Port- regularly. Over the years, Doug murals for Timberline Lodge in land Flag Association about the frequently contributed ideas and 1937, editing the artwork in the lengthy process he’d gone concepts, often hand-rendered and Oregon Shipyards' magazine during through in 1969 to design the displayed during meetings when we the War, managing the Art Depart- flag. A fascinating case study of explored new designs—especially ment at Jantzen Woolen Mills, balancing the concerns and atti- for the State of Oregon. He had chairing the Portland Arts Commis- tudes of politicians and artists, he helpful and insightful pointers for sion, teaching generations of stu- finished it with “…if I had to do others who shared their ideas, and dents at the Museum Art School, it over, I’d take off the seal, turn discussed his own theories of de- and working as an independent the canton from blue to green, sign. I well remember he would graphic designer. Born in La widen the blue stripes, make the test how flag designs would look Grande, he moved with his family star larger, and move it closer to flying, draped, and hanging limp— to Portland, always considering the hoist…but it’s too late now.” his thinking informed mine. Six himself an artist. Among his many However, when I pointed out that months ago, when The Oregonian accomplishments, he designed the among us were the historian of launched a contest to update the flag of the City of Portland in 1969. the city’s flags, the author of a flag state’s flag, John Hood made sure -design guidebook, the manufac- that several of Doug’s designs were turer of the flag, and the original submitted. Sure enough, out of designer, he agreed that we had over 2,400 entries, one of Doug’s the requisite talent to pursue up- was selected for the final ten. dating the flag. We will all miss Doug’s twinkle, his Doug’s neighbor, Sam Adams, intense dedication to sound design, then chief of staff to Mayor Vera and his enthusiasm for vexillology, Katz (Sam is now, of course, a term he had first encountered 40 mayor himself), and I helped years ago. My Portland flag flies at Doug propose the language of an half staff this week. 4 Portland Flag Association Publication July Meeting The next meeting of the Portland decided upon? Any and all flags, If you can’t get to the meeting, Flag Association will be at 7 p.m., books or articles are welcome for perhaps you can give the editor Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Ted “show and tell.” something to share.