Twin flags

Many flags are similar between themselves; others are almost identical. Between the national flags, it can be an issue: UN tried to convince Romania or Chad to change their almost identical flags, but both denied. But these attempts can have results: Liechtenstein added a crown to its flag to avoid the confusion with Haitian flag. Here are some unsolved examples:

Part I: Luxembourg and Netherlands

Luxembourg	Netherlands

The colors of Luxembourg flag are based on the arms of Grand-Duke of Luxembourg, the head of state. Netherlands adopted those colors during the Batavian Republic, inspired by French revolutionary colors and as rejection to orange-white-blue Prince's Flag. In this specific case, the similarity is even worse because they are very near countries, although don't sharing borders.

But this issue is very near to solution: in 2007, the Luxembourg government approved the use of the banner of arms of Grand-Duchy (also used as naval ensign) as civil flag inside Luxembourger territory along with national flag, and someday it can totally supersede Luxembourg tricolor. It's the banner of arms:

This flag is much cooler, and much more relevant to the country, the reasons it has gained popular approval last years.

Part II: Andorra, Chad, Moldova and Romania

Andorra	Chad
Moldova	Romania

Andorra and Moldova at least use to put a coat of arms on it, but it doesn't work that well. Romania used to put their coat of arms, too, but it's a little in disuse. This issue is even more dramatic because Moldova and Romania share borders, so it's harder to know where you're passing to other side of border.

Andorra colors is a French tricolor with white and red changed by Spanish yellow and red, because Andorra is between France and Spain, and the co-princes of Andorra are the president of France and the bishop of Urgell (a Spanish Catholic diocese). It's my proposal to Andorra:

The yellow and red nine stripes (the senyera) is the arms of Catalonia, the Spanish autonomous community nearest Andorra, and where the See of Urgell is located. It's present in Andorra coat of arms (more above). The blue with the two fleurs-de-lis represent French condominium over Andorra. The number of fleur-de-lis represents the curious case of Andorra and its two co-princes.

The current design of Chad flag is inspired by pan-African colors, but with blue instead of green to avoid confusion with Mali (turning it identical to Romania...). My proposal is based on its coat of arms. See:

Moldova flag origin is exactly the flag of neighbor Romania with Moldovan coat of arms. My proposal is based on its coat of arms — a similar, but more complex flag, was yet proposed. My rendition:

I think this flag is easier to be changed. A flag based on Armed Forces flag or the flag of ancient Principality of Moldova are other options, in my opinion.

To Romania, a horizontal tricolor, used before the current vertical flag, can be an option. See:

It's OK, but I can come with a design by myself:

It represents a legend that states that the tricolor is a union of blue and red from Moldavia and blue and yellow from Transylvania. However I think Romania would be last to change its flag.

Part III: Indonesia and Monaco

Indonesia	Monaco

Both countries has excellent alternatives from their pasts and presents, so I don't know why they insist to keep the issue.

For Indonesia, there's the flag of Majapahit Empire, currently used as naval ensign and naval jack, consisting of nine red and white stripes:

For Monaco, there's other very reasonable flag: the banner of arms of House of Grimaldi (Monaco royal family), used many times unofficially, specially in 17th century, but still present in rare occasions (also unofficially):

This flag is so Monegasque in origin and use that I can't see why it's not used officially.

Part IV: American seals-on-bedsheet

Many USA state flags use a seal or a coat of arms on a blue background (see), what make them almost unrecognizable in distance. You can see my proposals to USA states on my blog, and by many other authors at Vexillology Wiki. I highly recommend the visit!

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Flores Island (Indonesia)

As I announced last post, the flag I'll show today is from someplace without any coat of arms, seal or logo (I don't know any of them, at least). I'll propose a flag to Flores Island.

Flores is an island arc located in the east Indonesia, and its special charm is the fact it was colonized by Portuguese and until today keeps alive the Iberic influences. The island has no political unity, and never had a flag. But it would be useful if someday Flores join the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries) or other cultural organizations separately from Indonesia.

Flores could have a lot of symbols: the Homo floriensis, the Flores giant-rat, the Kelimutu, etc. The Flores man is a prehistoric dwarf relative of human specie. I don't know how to show in a flag why the Flores man is known as "the hobbit". About the Flores giant-rat, it would be as controversial as put a chupacabra in Puerto Rican flag! I thought about flowers (in Portuguese, "flores"), but it wouldn't be the most associable symbol. The Kelimutu is the main tourist attraction of Flores and good enough to be in a flag.

Kelimutu is a famous volcano which contains three lakes. The north lake is green, and the other two is blue and red, but sometimes they change color, and it makes Kelimutu very uncommon. My design is this:

The orange background is because it makes remember Flores is a volcanic island. The only function of the hexagons is be nestable. What I like more is that is it doesn't remind Portugal neither Indonesia. It's just a neutral flag. The white lines are here just because the rule "no colour upon colour". That's all!

Do you have any point of view about this flag or this post? You're free to comment!
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