August 26, 2003
one flag, in need of a nation
One day I was sitting at my desk, and I thought up a flag. Then I realised that it might make a good replacement for the current New Zealand one. So I drew it up and it looked pretty good to me.
So there it is.
Why do I think it would make a good NZ flag?
1. It has that oh-so-flag-like quality of three horizontal stripes.
2. It is pretty much comprised of a koru - one of two singularly recognisable symbols (the other being a silver fern).
3. It isn't black (which is a colour of mourning, the national anthem may be a dirge, but the flag doesn't have to echo that sentiment).
4. The three parts of the flag represent important elements about New Zealand and the New Zealand experience.
The green represents the land. The blue represents the sea, and the sky (depending on how you look at it). The white (or silver) koru represents the long white cloud, or the people of New Zealand. Yes, that does mean the people of New Zealand are white, but you could interpret it as the spirit of the people if you felt inclined to.
5. The koru represents new life unfolding (that's a gross generalisation, but I'm prepared to stand by it for now).
6. The koru (being a Maori symbol) balances the inherant westerness of the flag, and the tranditional western approach of three horizontal stripes. Taking an indigenous symbol for a western purpose recognises a fair amount of NZ history.
7. It is a visually simple image which is easily recognisable out of your average lineup of flags.
8. (continuing in the trademark NZ vein) the blue, green and white support the clean, green NZ image.
And I'm starting to repeat myself, so I'll stop.
Note: I'm sad to loose the southern cross from the flag, but it just doesn't fit into an available corner somehow.
Other note: I'm not in a hurry to replace the current flag. But when the time comes for a change, I'd rather it was something that represents some of the things I value in NZ, and is not painful on the eye.
Yet another note: I'm quite happy to keep it for my own if something else turns out to get chosen.
And yet another note: Of course a person can have a flag. My granddad sailed his ocean going yacht under his own flag during world war two (he objected to the swastika, which is what he was legally supposed to use).
Posted by carla at August 26, 2003 11:26 PM