Chukotka US-Russian Heritage Flag

Chukotka American-Rusian Heritage Flag

There is a supersize footnote that the Russians once colonized part of the United States.

Most know that Alaska was originally a Russian Colony and some know that California was host to the Russians near Sonoma County by San Francisco Bay.

But did you know that the United States also had colonies in Russia? Very short lived expeditions, yet longer than a year.


This is the Chukotka United States-Russian Heritage Flag. It is dedicated to America's short lived stint in Alaska's proverbial half brother - Chukotka. It follows the overall pattern of Chukotka's modern flag. However this shade of blue - navy blue - is taken after Alaska's flag with the yellow north star of Alaska. Instead of the federal colours of Russia in the yellow ring there are thirteen stripes reflective of the American flag - six red and seven white. Finally the white triangle is on the opposite side to indicate America's point of view.

Official Chukotka Flag in Russia
Chukotka is Russia's Alaska
or rather Alaska is America's Chukotka?

Perhaps the meekest of US-Russian colonies to fall into the cracks of history took place at the western end of Russia in Chukotka on Wrangel Island. Wrangel island is a small Asian Isle in the Arctic Ocean. It was long known to 'Inuit' peoples but the first written reference to this Arctic Ocean Island belongs to a Russian Cossak - Steven Andreyev in 1764.

The first US landing on the island took place on August 12, 1881 with the USRC Corwin. The USRC stands for United States Revenue Cutter Service which is the 'maiden' name of the US Coast Guard. The leader of the US expedition was Calivin L. Hooper who subsequently claimed the island for the United States and christened it - 'New Columbia.' Additionally famed first American Naturalist John Muir was a part of the expedition.

Original illustration by John Muir
with the modern 2012 Chukotka Flag added

In 1911 the Russian Government laid claim to the island, but in 1921 a joint US-Canadian team of colonists landed. By 1924 only one American and 13 Inuit were living in Chukotka and an Inuit anchor baby. But in 1924 American hopes on holding this frozen wonderland were dashed by the Soviet Union who evicted the 'American Colonist and US Wards.'

Afterwards the US Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughs made an overture for an American Reindeer CEO, Carl J. Lomen, to "go and hold it." But this American Enterprise only made as far as Herald Island, where a 48 starred US flag was raised and they later went home, gravely short of the intended target.


















Just as some lord over that Alaska was once Russian, the counter punch is that some of Russia - in this case Chukota - was in a juxtaposition semi-formally a part of the United States. Geographically speaking as Alaska is Russia's forlorn tundra of the USA, or rather parts of Chukota are America's forlorn icebox of Russia.

Washington DC-Virginia Heritage Flag

Washington DC-Virginia Heritage Flag
"The Virgilumbia Flag"

This flag represents the common heritage between Virginia and the District of Columbia. This flag is to be flown over the region of Virginia that was once a part of the 'Federal City.' For 47 years a small part of modern Virginia was Washington, DC.

The colours of this flag are based upon the colours of the clothing found on Virgina's Flag - sky blue and purple. The woman dressed in sky blue with an exposed breast. She is Virtus dressed like an Amazon and standing on a tyrant dressed in purple.

Virginia Flag

The new federal capital was selected and surveyed under the Washington administration with particular interest from the president. However in 1847 Virginia became a proverbial 'Indian Giver' and took the land back that was donated.

Columbia District Flag

The perfect diamond chosen by George Washington was shattered under political ambition for pride and profit. It would also foreshadow cultural shattering of the Union during the Civil War.

Virginia is the only state to have had two 'National Capitals' arise and disappear on its soil - the USA from 1800-1847 and CSA from 1861-1865.

12 Tribes of Israel Emblem Symmetry - Gad and Zebulun, part 3

Over the ages the Tribes of Israel became attached to certain emblems. Some have two distinct symbols while others have a few. In art and poetry these emblems are powerful icons especially when displayed on a flag. Subsequently they illustrate my fraternal flag idea. Basically flags often, if not always, exhibit a certain kind of harmony. The Twelve Tribes of Israel have taken flight on the flag pole and like the flags of the 50 US states, exhibit a certain kind of "flag symmetry."

Part III - Gad and Zebulun

Gad's icon is usually a tent or group of three tents. The number doesn't matter so much, lest you understand that the totem for Gad is a group of outlaw folk commonly called raiders, bandits, thieves, or robbers. The totem for Zebulun on the other hand is almost always represented by a single ship. The origins of these icons trace back to the account in Genesis when Jacob blesses the Twelve Tribes of Israel on his death bed.

Most of the tribes derive their icons from this account, subsequently the emblems of the Twelve Tribes of Israel have served as a source of inspiration for artists for countless generations.

But the odd common element for Simeon and Gad is, both are external to the blessing. Most of the tribal emblems arise when Jacob uses a direct metaphor or simile. For example it is written that - Judah is like a lion, Benjamin is like a wolf, Dan will be a snake, Issachar is no better than a donkey.


However the emblems for Zebulun and Gad are predictions of men in an occupation. They also apply more aptly to foreigners rather than Israelis. Zebulun is predicted to become a haven for ships? What kind of ships? Ships that bring trade and economy - which includes foreign ships. Gad's emblem refers to a troop of raiders that rob him, subsequently Gad - like Batman - must pursue them, lending us the joke of Gadman the desert avenger. But seriously folks,the raiders could be future Israelis that go bad or robbers of foreign nations.

Also, the emblems of Gad and Zebulun hint at the perpetual dichotomy between the navy and army. Just as there is a captain of the ship and officers, a desert caravan - bandit or merchant - must have a chief with lieutenants. The life of a sailor or roving band of 'land pirates' requires an organized group effort composed of roughnecks as well as a shrewd class of keenly intelligent individuals. Setting camp, maintaining order and navigating a sea or dessert are the important duties for sailors or and an army of raiders.

link to part 1 (who is man's best friend?)
link to part 4 (fruit salad anyone?)

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photo credits
Ship: User:WIBEAN (维基百科，自由的百科全书), upload in commons.wikimedia of 22-02-2006
Troops in Tent: J. David Rogers http://web.mst.edu/~rogersda/military_service/football%20at%20Masirah.jpg

Customers Bank and Bank of America

Bank of America Logo
notice US Flag Motif

Using the US flag as a commercial logo is considered by some and the US Flag Code as inappropriate. However two companies that successfully use the US flag in their logo are Bank of America and Customers Bank. Customers Bank does it in totality while Bank of America uses a stylized version of the US flag.

Bank of America and Customers Bank are two banks from different ends of the spectrum. Bank of America is a Mega-Bank with a global reach and an ocean of power, while Customers Bank is a small Micro-Bank with a small and efficient reach and full of puddle power. At the moment they illustrate the difference between a strong big vs a small quick business. No doubt if Customers Bank grows to 250-500 outlets, will it be taken over or absorbed by a Mega Bank as happened with Commerce Bank with TD Bank. When this happens the Customers Bank icon with go the way of the red, white, and blue Commerce Bank logo.

Customers Bank is headquartered in Pennsylvania and led by Jay Sidhu. The current company logo consists of the US flag on a red disc. It is coincidentally a combination of the Japanese and US national symbols. Bank of America traces its origins to the West Coast in California in 1904 of the efforts of Amadeo Giannini.

Customers Bank Logo
A mix of Japanese and US Symbols

Banks are basically legal loan sharks with open rules. Rules that operate under official law. They are supposed to help others by helping themselves. Banks are like bacteria, most are good, but a few go bad and harm the system. Bad banks only help a few, while good banks help many.

Good Bank dolphin, Bad Bank shark.

Link to Bank of America
https://www.bankofamerica.com/

Link to Customers Bank
http://customersbank.com/

Flag of Joinville Island, Antarctica

Flag of Joinville Island

This island was discovered by France in 1838 by Jules Dumont U'rville. It features the most southern constellation - Octans the 8 sided star compass. The four pointed star is the celestial south star.

Berkner Island Flag - Antarctica

Flag of Berkner Island, Antarctica

Berkner Island was one of the few places that was truly discovered in modern times, and by an American team at that.

Ice completely surrounds this island. Berkner island came to our awareness in 1957 under the leadership of Finn Ronne, who ironically was not a Finn.

However he was born in Scandinavia. Ethnically a Norwegian but yet, an all American Citizen, who made his home in Maryland. In 1957, the US Navy was his source of income.



This flag is based upon the American Flag - since America truly discovered this Hoth like world down under.

The canton actually depicts a constellation - Octans the eight pointed star compass. Octans is at the bottom of our celestial sphere. The eight pointed star refers to the 'Southern Star' - Sigma Octantis.

Also the stripes are reversed to having white as the dominant color. Instead there are seven white stripes and six red stripes.

Scotland and Greece - fraternal twins

4 Blue Triangle White Cross Flag of Scotland

The white cross flag of Greece is aligned with the flag of Scotland. Neither flag represents the nation officially at the UN, yet they are acceptable flags for each nation.

Coincidentally both Scotland and Greece have two national flags. At the moment their supreme national flags have elements of their white cross flags. The Scottish white cross-4 blue triangle flag is an essential element of the national UK Union flag parted in eight fractions, likewise the modern Greek flag uses the a white cross-4 blue square as the canton on its nine striped national flag.

4 Blue Rectangle White Cross of Greece

The design harmony of the white cross 4-blue triangle and 4-square flags unite these nations in what I call a certain kind of flag symmetry.

They are a union of extreme ends or beginnings of Europe from the South to North and East to West. Greece sits in a corner in between Africa and Asia. There is a tiny portion of Greece that is east of Asia, just as there is a tiny portion that looks north towards Africa. Scotland on the other hand is a key element of Europe, yet detached from the mainland and ever so close to America. Amazingly, parts of Scotland are closer to the North American Continent than to Athens, Greece.

The eight blue triangles of the UK National flag
originate from the Scottish flag

Geographically they are union of the Europe at a maximum of Spring and Autumn. Greece being the hallmark of Europe in Spring and Scotland the epitome of Europe in Fall. Both nations are composed of hundreds of tiny isles and a mainland. This has given the Greco-Scot peoples a keen and almost magical sense of the water and shipbuilding. Thus their livelihood has been perpetually tied to the seas.

The Canton of National Greek Flag
retains an earlier version of the national flag

Both nations have one of the deepest and strongest undertows on the makeup of American Culture. From the ancient world we have Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, Pythagoras, and Aristopanes to name a few, and from the modern world from Scotland we can thank Watt, Maxwell, Henderson, Bell, and Rutherford. From ideas of democracy to i-pods and cell phones all the glorious and enchanted tools and toys of the modern world - we all share a connection to Greece and Scotland.

Pegasus with Greek Flag

A good portion of the Western World rests on the coat tails of these luminous minds born at opposite ends of Europe.

The one ritual or tradition shared by all nations traces its roots to Greece - the Olympics, while the beloved games of the well to do in every nation can trace its roots to Scotland - golf, or for the not too well to do - mini golf. From St. Andrews to the Acropolis the Scot and Greek are the maker of games cherished by all.

Heraldic Unicorn of Scotland

Scotland and Greece are connected by the mysterious and circumstantial hand of fate in what I have termed a Fraternity of Twins for Eternity. The echo of Europe's tribalism is etched in stone in crystal clear language with Scotland and Greece. From the ancient rivalry between the city-states of Athens and Sparta, as it was with blood feuding and competitive clans of Scotland.

The elusive and powerful clubs of modern society carry an echo of these two nations. At the collegiate level the Greek Fraternity plays a dominant role at university, placement of jobs and the destiny of connected brothers and sisters. Likewise in the professional world, modern Freemasonry traces much to Scotland, and has a powerful influence in key business transactions and the placement of certain lime lights.

Scotland and Greece are like Yin and Yang whose cultural elements have been adored and ingrained in the American Spirit. They are the doorstep wingmen of Europe. Their flags are a match of the magnificent and famous winged horse, Pegasus, with the nameless and enchanted mystical Unicorn.

The bookends or book keepers of European Civilization
Scotland and Greece

Avatar Insignia, part 2 - arm patch insignia

Marine Pandora Mission Patch - right arm
Science sortie pilot Trudy Chacon

The visually stunning movie Avatar 2009 was an epic award winning science fiction film by James Cameroon. Humans have learned to travel to their closest neighboring star system - Alpha Centauri and a clash of planets occurs over precious resources.

Of vexillological interest are the military badges that humans wear on the right arm. It is a pentagonal shape. Divided in the center - the right half is red with a blue and white sphere. The left half is blue with several indiscernible markings.

Native Na'vi arm band rank - left arm

The natives of Pandora the Na'vi also employ an armband type of marking. However each person has their own design. To the right Jake Sully in this Na'vi body wears an arm band with two colourful 'feathers.'

Midway and Navassa - American Isles in the middle

Flags of Midway and Navassa

The flags of Midway and Navassa are similar in design and are fraternal flag twins. They both use similar colours of different tints - white, green and blue. Midway has a seagull on it while Navassa has light house.

Both islands are midpoints between continents. Midway is in the Pacific in between Asia and America, while Navassa is in the Atlantic midway between North and South America.


Midway was witness to the greatest aircraft carrier battle between the Empire of Japan and the United States during WWII. But Navassa, was witness to its own mini war/rebellion, but on a much smaller scale - Guano War of 1889. The Navassa Guano Rebellion of 1889 was eventually settled in the US Supreme Court in 1890.

Today Navassa and Midway are peaceful, remote and tiny isles with little to do, but allow birds to rear their young. They are American soil beyond the 50 states.

Navassa and Midway are governed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

ICV 24 - International Congress of Vexillology's Vexi-Bits

Vexi-bits are a proud tradition at every NAVA meeting, likewise the 24th International Congress of Vexillology was no exception. Vexi-bits are small presentations centered on flags, they are mostly fun fact trivia items or miscellaneous anecdotes. Vexi-bits can basically be about anything - even flag 'stealing' squirrels.

The Vexi-bits for ICV #24 took place in the open dining hall of Embassy Suites Alexandria, the forlorn Capital of the United States from 1790-1847,
The following vexi-bits are in no particular order:


Vexi-bit #1: Geoff Parsons - talked a wee bit about the UK flag, and maybe regular Brits will be able to fly the Union Flag without legal mumbo-jumbo. We learned about what they do at The Flag Institute. The UK Flag Institute does not yet have a royal charter but one may be coming soon. Nonetheless the UK Flag Institute continues to act as the leading flag recorder for the United Kingdom.



Vexi-bit #2: Marcus Schmoger spoke again about the arms and flag of San Marino. FYI, San Marino is a nation inside of Italy. Usually a nation is on the border with another or at least has a coast line. But San Marino is like Lesotho in South Africa.




Vexi-bit #3: Arthur Etchells talked about his vast collection of military flags for Czech, Austria and other Northern European countires.





Vexi-bit #4: Annie Platoff - more info on conspiracy theorists about US flag on the moon . Platoff said the flags for the Apollo missions varied. The Apollo 11 and 12 US flags were 3' x 5' and the flags for Apollo 13 thru 16 flags were 2.5' x 4' and the Apollo 17 flag was 3.5' x 6.6.'






Vexi-bit #5: Phillip Rault - spoke again about the deaths of flying the Confederate Flag at the Monaco Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia; other Confederate flags; and Irish starry plow flag. He also showed of his own flag for the of Brittany Liberation. It has a Celtic Sun with nine rays. The colours are black, orange and white in horizontal tri-bar form - black on the bottom, orange in the middle, and white up top. The middle orange bar is thinnest while the upper white bar is thickest.



Vexi-bit #6: Tony Burton - Showed us a comprehensive survey about flags of Australia. And showed us a Islamic War-Prayer Flag: white Arabic Calligraphy on black and the another that was black Arabic on a white background.






Vexi-bit #7: Chris Bedwell - Presented the city flag of Phoenix, Arizona. If is composed a North American bald eagle facing the fly with wings spread on top of a rather large yellow sun with many short red rays.





Vexi-bit #8: Peter Hans Van den Muijzenberg - Jacks and flags of Europe.







Vexi-bit #9: Bill Trinkle - gave airtime about the wonderful and virtual Bear Flag Museum. Spoke about native sons of the Golden West - who celebrated the 50 anniversary as a state in 1900. This group made extra effort to promote their flag. Showed us the California Democratic Convention flag of 1984 which fused the Dem Donkey in Cali-style. Trinkle also showed us a flag of Marin County - a horizontal tri-bar from the bottom up of blue, red, and orange. It has a double swallow tail, in the center is a white shape of the county, and by the fly are the letter M on orange, C on red, and F on blue near the fly. Ted Kaye suggested that it may not be the flag and rather represent the Marin County Fair.




Vexi-bit #10: Jim Farrigan III - Made a joke that - "sacred cows make the best hamburgers." He told the story of a printing error for the California State flag with blue bears. We were told about the origin of the California Blue Bear flags. It started out as a mistake, but were all sold as novelties. He knew the Democrats were going to loose the 1984 election because the CA democratic party wanted to rent a presidential flag instead of purchasing one.



Vexi-bit #11: Roman Klimes - spoke a wee bit about European Flags.





Vexi-bit #12: A bit about NY State flags


Vexi-bit #13: Ted Kaye - Enlightened us about the on goings of the Portland Flag Association. It has about 20-25 members with an average of 12 persons showing up for each meeting. This truly unique "Oregon-ization" has become the leading voice in Portland for effective flag design. Kaye also showed us the first semi-official vexillological 'Flag Police Padge.' In the center was a coloured version of the official state seal of Oregon.




Vexi-bit #14: Amy Langston - the youngest speaker and vexillologist at the ICV 24. She spoke about how she became interested in flags. She became aware of this congress though Wikipedia, and decided to attend. She like many vexilloligist recalled an interest in flags tracing back to the flag section in an Almanc that was foundational to her interest in flags.










Vexi-bit #15: Jelena Borošak-Marijanović - We saw a Croatian warship flag. It features the famous Croatian Checker Coat of Arms with two crossed golden anchors in the background.






Vexi-bit #16: Nick Artimovich - Exposed his methodology of getting old retired flags from the US State Department - that included old Afghanistan and old Finland flags.







Vexi-bit#17: Clyde Simpson - He added a discussion of science/chemistry with vexillology. Simpson also noted that it being his first ICV and enjoyed everyones warmth and friendliness.





Vexi-bit #18: Marlene Little - She showed us a South Korean Flag handbag that she got through her local church when visitors from South Korea came to visit. It is a combination of vexillology and fashion. The red and blue symbol is based upon the ancient Chinese philosophy of Daoism - which heeds a strong call for balance.





Vexi-bit #19: - A new UK Union flag was presented - including the Welsh Cross of St. David and Red Cross for Ulster. Virtual-Imaginary vexillology got a boost with presentation of imaginary Kingdom of Aefira. The flags of Aefira followed in format the official flag of the UK.














Vexi-bit #20: William Ang - Retro-60s/70s electronic vexi-art was shown. The US pyramid with flashing lights dazzled our eyes.





Vexi-bit #21: He told us to write on the heading any important places where you may fly a flag. We also saw a mini-model in proportion of the original Star Spangle Banner from the War of 1812.




Vexi-bit #22: Colin Simpson - He spoke about noticing flags while on a cruse in Alaska.



Vexi-bit #23: John Hartvigsen - a great talk about flag making with jokes and weird but true stories.



Vexi-bit #24: Ron Strachan from Australia spoke and showed us a colourful and design for the flag of Tiwi Island.










Vexi-bit #24: Christopher Maddish - I spoke about my flag proposals for the bodies of water on earth and flags for moons and any other heavenly body in our solar system.

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Local Galactic Group Flag

Local Galactic Group Flag

or Rather the Hubble Bubble Group

This is the flag of our Local Galactic Group, commonly called the Local Group. Our group has three major galaxies in it, Triangulum, Andromeda and us - the Milky Way.

The central galaxy on the white disc is the Milky Way. It seems that our galaxy is the biggest of the three main players. The galaxy on the orange disc represents Andromeda our fraternal twin - so to speak. The green disc's galaxy represents Triangulum. The two smaller yellow galaxies represent smaller satellite galaxies and other puffs of stars that are on their own. The crossing over of the orange and green discs with the white Milky Way disc created a red and blue shift overlap, in honor of Ed Hubble's discovery of the red-blue Doppler shift in astronomy. His magnificent recognition of a red and blue shifts, gave us a basic picture of cosmic geography in the early 20th century.

An easy way to remember the meaning of colours is that Milk is white for Milky Way, Orange and Andromeda both have the hidden 'jzz' sound, and their is a hard G in Green and Trian-G-ulum.

Edwin Hubble
with his cosmic peace pipe

There are about 30 galaxies in our Local Group, within 10 light years.

You can thank a man from Missouri for coining our local hub of galaxies as the Local Group - Edwin Hubble. Mr. Hubble is more famous for a floating telescope in orbit named in his honor- the Hubble Telescope.

Although the name Local Group makes a lot of sense, it is self centered point of view. The name does not distinguish us form the trillions and trillions of other Local Groups. Perhaps an additional second name is needed?

I propose that our Local Group have a second more distinguishable name as the - "Hubble Bubble Band" in honor of Mr. Hubble.

Our Local Group or rather Hubble Bubble Band has about 30 galaxies rocking and rolling in our galactic neighborhood. Members of the Hubble Bubble Band can easily jam with each other within a 5 light year radius.