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STELLAR FLAGS by Scott Mainwaring Stellar Flags 1 Tion of That Word

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STELLAR FLAGS by Scott Mainwaring Stellar Flags 1 Tion of That Word Portland Flag Association Publication 1 Portland Flag Association ―Free, and Worth Every Penny!‖ Issue 11 October 2006 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: STELLAR FLAGS By Scott Mainwaring Stellar Flags 1 tion of that word. Never mind that real stars are twinkling point sources Pirate Flags 2 Flag design has long looked to the natural world and its phenomena as a of light (except for certain stars ob- Some Flag Related Websites 3 source of inspiration and symbolism. served through powerful telescopes October 2006 Flutterings 3 Much of this vocabulary is earth- which can resolve an actual disc of Next Meeting Announcement 4 bound, making use of plants, ani- light) that bear, at most, a very rough Flags in the News 4 mals, and landscape features. But resemblance to the decagonal shapes Correction 4 perhaps as much of it is celestial, one learns to draw as a child. Just The Flag Quiz 7 making use of astronomical objects say that it‘s our cultural convention to depict stars in this way, and that like the Sun, the Moon, and the stars – this last being the focus of this arti- depiction of a natural object is what cle. Let's call a flag with such a rela- indeed is going on in almost all cases. tionship a stellar flag. At first glance, This may be the case, but if so, this is ―stellar flag‖ is a huge category – a very weak sense of ―stellar.‖ It stars on flags are in no short supply. seems more apt to say that, even if As a rough (under-) estimate, originally inspired by the natural as- Wikipedia (as of 10/4/06) lists 403 tronomical object, most stars on current and historical flags with one most flags (like most stars in most or more stars. But are all these as graphic art) aren‘t depictions of any they seem? Alas, you can‘t necessar- astronomical object at all, but just Jack Rackam ily tell a stellar flag just by looking at wonderful shapes that vexillogra- one, as not all starred flags are stellar phers have fallen in love with be- flags. cause of their aesthetics (simple Consider the use of the five-pointed enough for repetition, complex star shape on flags. Do these repre- enough for visual interest), flexibility sent actual astronomical stars? The (they appear on flags in many colors, answer is seldom yes-or-no. One and have points that can multiply could argue that just by being called a and take on meanings of their own), ―star,‖ the five-pointed shape does and connotations of goodness (as in, intrinsically represent, or at least re- how many stars does that restaurant fer to, those points of light in the (Continued on page 5) “Every normal man must be tempted at times night sky that are the primary defini- to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” If you wish to compliment the editor, or to contribute in the future, contact John Hood at — H.L. Mencken 503-238-7666 or [email protected]. If you wish to complain, call your mother. 2 Portland Flag Association Publication PIRATE FLAGS dish had letters of marque and repri- by ships‘ sail makers or other crew- OR WHAT JOHNNY DEPP sal from the King. Drake‘s raid on men. They were hand-sewn and var- DIDN’T TELL YOU the Spanish New World settlements ied each time. These symbols on the and French privateers‘ successful pirate flags were chosen to reveal By Michael Hale raids of Spanish galleons ladened some special aspect and some were Pirate flags have always had an appeal for with treasure were a blow to Spain‘s ironic. Jack Rackham‘s flag, a skull us iconoclasts, but the movie “Pirates of the dominance. Seeing their success and and crossed swords, might indicate a Caribbean” has made them much more acquired wealth, some privateers bold and fierce pirate; however, popular. — The Editor crossed the line and attacked ships of when attacked by the British, he hid any nation. Some, like Henry Mor- in the hold of his ship while two fe- The sight of pirates has brought fear gan, were as interested in fame as male pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary into the hearts of ship crews through riches. When King James I withdrew Reed, fought topside without him. the ages. Pirating as we know it these letters of marque, lawlessness started as early as the 8th Century. In followed. The privateers were re- the period of the 18th and 19th Cen- placed with ―buccaneers,‖ who tury, pirates used the graphic symbol obeyed no one and practiced horrible of the flag to instill not only terror, cruelty. Buccaneers were originally but instant surrender. Using bor- French cattle and meat preparers on rowed symbols of death, taken from the Island of Hispaniola, who hated gravestones in places like 17th Cen- the Spanish taxation. In revenge, Thomas Tew tury Scotland, these flags warned the they began attacking the ships on the pirate‘s victims to give up without Spanish Main. Hiding behind small Thomas Tew chose a curved Asian resistance, or face certain death. Sto- islands and in inlets, their smaller scimitar. He was killed with just such ries of pirate battles were circulated boats appeared, gave chase, and a sword in a battle with an Indian by oral traditions, and no exaggera- overtook the heavy larger vessels. ship. Henry Avery was one of few tions were needed, so for a ship‘s who used the skull and crossbones crew to defend their ship and cargo, We tend to think that the skull and flag, now the traditional symbol. real bravery was required. Some sail- cross bones flag was the worst sym- ors, worked nearly to death, paid lit- bol. Yet the red flag was the ultimate. Other symbols included the winged tle, and separated from home for It seems that the red flag is where the hour glass of Christopher Moody. months or years at a time, were will- name ―Jolly Roger‖ likely originated. ing to join what was regarded as the It may have been named after the ―colorful‖ life of a pirate. Often the devil, ―Old Roger,‖ but I prefer to choice was to join or die. think it comes from the French term for the red flag, ―Joli Rouge.‖ While much wealth could be gained in pirate raids, political intrigue The five principles of Good Flag, played a large part. Sometimes as- Bad Flag, by Ted Kaye, are nowhere Christopher Moody sisted by opposing nations and alli- better seen at work than in pirate The wings showed how fast the sand ances, pirating often involved para- flags. They were simple, they used ran out, warning sailors that the time military battles. Attempts were made meaningful symbolism, and they to surrender was limited. A glass or to disrupt shipping lanes which sup- stuck to basic colors. Lettering was bottle meant a toast to death. Al- ported far flung outposts of national almost void, and they were both dis- though few had letters or words, settlements and expansion. Privateers tinctive and related to one another. Bartholomew Roberts (Black Bart) from England, like Francis Drake, Pirate flags were rough, often made John Hawkins, and Thomas Caven- (Continued on page 3) Portland Flag Association Publication 3 PIRATE FLAGS Howell Davis took to piracy, without October 2006 Flutterings (Continued from page 2) a pirate flag on board so they hauled You Need to Know up a ―dirty tarpaulin.‖ The makeshift had one version of his flag with the flag was recognized and their victim This month‘s meeting was rather initials ABH and AMH. They stood ship surrendered. Charles Vane flew sparsely attended, but there was for ―A Barbadian‘s Head‖ and ―A an English flag from one mast, a some interesting debate over flags Martinician‘s Head.‖ This was a vow black pirate flag from the main, a red that Doug Lynch designed ―just of revenge against the two Caribbean flag from the fore, and another Eng- practicing finger exercises.‖ We dis- islands that dared to cross Roberts. lish flag from the ensign staff. cussed their relation to “Good Flag, Bad Flag,” but since Doug wasn‘t Most pirates were masters of decep- there, no judgments were made. tion who approached galleons and Next time there will be an article larger ships flying the friendly colors dedicated to Doug‘s doodlings with of that nation. Only when they had full orchestration. We also discussed closed the gap did they hoist their the recent Flag Inform Bulletins Jolly Roger at the last minute. The from the Flag Research Center that ship‘s trunk included flags of several dealt with the prospects of a new Bartholomew Roberts (Black Bart) nations, just in case. It soon became Lesotho flag and also possible Kurdi- policy to consider any ship on the Blackbeard‘s flag included a skeleton stan flag. The Flag Research Center high seas a possible hostile enemy, with horns, again harkening to the has a new web site that I‘ve listed no matter what it flew. To this day, old devil. It also had an arrow pierc- with the others on this page. the colors of the host nation must be ing a heart oozing drops of blood. flown upon entering a bay or port. Ted told of his recent trip to St. Simple, graphic and easily identified, Failure to identify oneself and intent Louis for the finale of the Lewis and these flags had one purpose: to in- is a serious breach of maritime pro- Clark expedition.
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