Last modified: 2014-12-27 by pete loeser
Keywords: ufe | unidentified flags | 2013 |
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Below is a series of images of flags that have been provided to FOTW; some we have recognized, and some we have been unable to recognize. If you can help us identify any of these flags, please let us know! Contact the: UFE Editor.
Identification Key:
= Positive ID (Positive Identification)
= Tentative ID (Tentative Identification)
= Some Speculation Positive ID
These have been identified as the flags of Donetsk County and Slovyans´k city and are located in the main database.
Some Speculation
Image from Klaus-Michael Schneider, 1 May 2014,
Perhaps the Chamber of Crafts of Drivers and Vehicles(?) or Chamber of Drivers and Mechanics(?) - in Turkish: Sofõrler ve Otomobilciler Esnak Odasi - probably branch or member of Turkish Drivers and Vehicles Federation(?) (Turkish: Türkiye Soförler ve Otomobilciler Federasyonu).
The flag is white with the logo in its centre. The name of the organization is on the red bordure of the logo.
See also Türkiye Sofõrler ve Otomobilciler Federasyonu (in Turkish).
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 1 May 2014
Esna Odasi means "tradesmen". Judging by the map it also should say Izmir somewhere. Each chamber has its own flag, By the way, offering scope for flag ferreting.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 1 May 2014
This can be seen better in this photograph, where it can be seen that the lower grey bit in the emblem in Michael's image is a steering wheel symbol, and the upper bit, hidden in part by the fold, is the mention of the city. This specimen does not have the grey border around the emblem, however. on the other hand, the 1965 is clearly readable here.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 2 May 2014
Positive ID
Image from Klaus-Michael Schneider, 1 May 2014
It is a celestial blue flag with logo in its centre. The logo shows a hand or glove and an aeroplane above the hand. The whole is superimposing a blue annulet, which might bear the name of the organization. I spotted this flag on 16 April 2013 at Istanbul Airport. I believe it has something to do with airport service and maintenance.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 1 May 2014
DEVLET HAVA MEYDANLARI ISLETMESI? (I. S, I.) With separately the letters "DHMI" coming out of the hand across the bottom of the circle.(I.) In as much as the "General Directorate Of State Airports Authority" has something to do with such things.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 1 May 2014
As Peter Hans mentioned, it is the General Directorate of State Ports Authority (of Turkey).
Esteban Rivera, 2 June 2014
It´'s "Ports" in general? Not just airports? Hm, I don't think I noticed that at the time.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 2 May 2014
Some Speculation
Images from Dave Martucci, 3 June 2014
I have been asked to comment on this supposedly CSA flag, which I very much doubt. But I have never seen anything like it. The motto is either Palus Damus or Paius Damus or Palvs Damvs (next to last letter in each word is constructed as a "V" with a horizontal line over it, perhaps Palus Damus. Google translate says it is Lithuanian meaning "Ladies of Palus" but that doesn't make any sense either as there is no city of that name in Lithuania (there is a Palus in Finland, but never mind).
The owner says: "Others have looked at it that are flag experts and they all agree it is Civil War era, but one super expert/dealer who has only seen the pictures said it was a fake within minutes of my sending him the pictures. He did not send me through his procedures nor charge anything, but he did tell me that I was was stupid and shouldn't get ripped off and should stay away from auctions.
As far as other opinion's, what was most striking was Dan's (from Michigan) who I have know for quite some time now, and who has dealt strictly in flags for a few decades, said that the color and size of the guidon jumped out at him and his first response was 'Louisiana' and Civil War, but these are ducks, not pelicans. Still, this was his impression. I do not know if it is wool or cotton, it is not silk. Roger Dary said it was Civil War, and I have seen him point out details about flags that other 'Flag Experts' have missed, insane details that belie his opinion.
As to it being from Louisiana, the guidon may have been made or imported through New Orleans. I don't know, but I am researching the emblem and motto, Palus Domus (Swamp Home) in Latin, and possibly (Rally Round the Flag 'pole'") in German, but am having little luck. Though, it appears that if it is Civil War, it is Confederate, as it was pointed out to me by the State of Ohio Historic Society Museum (and Flag) curator, that most all Union flags were in the national colors. I thought it might be from the Kankakee Swamp of Great Black Swamp of northern Ind/Ohio, but found no supporting evidence other than some fiction writers who named one of the imaginary countries in their sci-fi series Domus Palus, and they were from Indianapolis, Indiana.
However, if it is Confederate, there are thousands of swamps up and down the Mississippi and into the interiors of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, not to mention Florida and the Great Dismal Swamp on the N. Carolina/Va border. A lot of ground to cover to be sure. This guidon came out of a midwest collection with a number of Civil War swords and guns."
Dave Martucci, 3 June 2014
Looks like a yacht club flag, as to time period, hard to say from the pictures. What is the evidence that its Civil War period from those who say it is and is it the American Civil War or some other?
Tom Martin, 3 June 2014
I have high doubts that it is anything Confederate at all. The ducks with the twin heads and the interesting slogan underneath suggest something European to me. There are European battle flags that have similar bird designs with the twin heads - Prussian I think - and with different types of birds?
Greg Biggs, 3 June 2014
At this point, you know almost everything I know. I don't see the evidence. I do have some closeups of the hem and header but there is nothing special there. It is all somewhat poor machine stitching and the fabrics look like late 19th-early 20th century cotton bunting to me (but it is always hard to tell from photos).
As to the CW connection, I think it is pure guesswork and, of course, it must be CSA because it obviously isn't USA. Huh?
Dave Martucci, 4 June 2014
Image from Rock Island Auction
The flag came with a sword in the Rock Island auction. Could the sword be a clue? Contrarian that I am, "Swamp Home" fits to me along with the two headed duck as something Americana. The shield and duck are on both sides apparently, this to me is interesting, almost like it designates an actual physical place, like maybe a plantation.
Al Sumrall, 3 June 2014
I was unaware of this page and the photo of the reverse. The motto on the reverse is in a slightly different style, showing as Palus Domus for sure. It is claimed to be Latin, but Latin doesn't use diacritical marks, so that seems off to me. With the correction of characters, Google Translate now says it is Latvian for "Large Thoughts" (literal: "Pile of Thought"). This seems like a motto to me.
The lady next door was born in Latvia and speaks it fluently (she was born in Riga the day the Russians entered in 1940 and her folks fled to Germany for safety!) and I will show her the flag and get her thoughts.
Dave Martucci, 4 June 2014
This just reinforces my belief that this flag has European connections and not American Civil War.
Greg Biggs, 4 June 2014
Palus is probably a pale, and the Latter Day Saints are organized in pales (here in Hamburg there is a "pale house". So it may be a Mormon flag in the end? Maybe I am completely wrong. But the duck is "really" odd.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 4 June 2014
With the Latvia motto it just might be a World War I or World War II souvenir. I can't see the burgee having a CSA relationship, unless it has a Latvian duck dynasty connection.
Tom Martin, 4 June 2014
Although "At home in the floods/swamps" ("Palus Domus") would be very nice meanings, I don't think there's a language that translates both words that way, except when ignoring the suffixes.
Writing a dash over a u, to indicate it's an actual u, is a style that in some European countries was still taught in the first half of the 20th century. I don't know how this was in the US. It would seem quite appropriate for writing Latin, and this may have been its origin; it's not, however, limited to a specific language.
I don't think I've ever seen the that specific two-pointed shield shape before. It's a bit reminiscent of the Genoese shields.
The mallard can be found on all continents (with the possible exception of Antarctica). They are not usually two-headed, however. I would say that the only birds that are frequently observed to be two-headed are the eagles of the Holy Roman Empire and its Rus, German, and other descendent traditions. This mallard would appear to be a reference to those.
The scroll is placed under the mallard, but not below the shield. It would currently be somewhat unusual, but I don't know whether it's enough to select or exclude specific heraldic styles. Ideally the motto would be a positive expression and be related to the charge. This would seem to make bad Latin about a duck in the water more likely than a Latvian translation about a duck with great thoughts.
I don't know much about it; these are just some things to ponder. As far I'm concerned it may equally well be the flag or a Venetian regiment, a World War I impromptu American mockery of the Kaiser or a Baltic American immigrant's house flag to fly Home Swamp Home on his cabin.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 4 June 2014
Ducks from some swamps, right? Haven't you heard of a Swamp Duck? 
Still would like some comment on that sword if possible.
Would an analysis of the material or ink bring anything to light?
Isn't the "O" in the DOMUS on the reverse a Greek "O" with that vertical line through it?
Maybe its in "Duck Latin"...sorry.
I agree it appears to have no American military hertitage at all with what is known unless it hung out over a restaurant or saloon.
Al Sumrall, 4 June 2014
Oh, the man from Buda. It does remind one of the pub or tavern signage used in the viking part world.
The only thing I know about swords is that the pointed end is the end you stab someone with.
Tom Martin, 4 June 2014
Image from Rock Island Auction
It's described as a "Staff and Field Officer's style sword without scabbard" on the auction house website. Unfortunately, that is a fairly generic wire-wrapped saber, common in both Europe and North America in the 1800s, so no help there.
Pete Loeser, 4 June 2014
OCD kicking in and doing a lot of useless research, but I wonder if it could have been a masonic flag from Lithuania (ok, you win about the significant probability of the flag being Lithuanian). This might suggest a reason for it's survival and it's two headed birds (no ducks yet) are apparently found a lot in Masonry and not all the flags have complex symbols although maybe the flag has hidden ones (conspiracy theory angle). Lithuanian Freemasonry was extinguished by decree in 1827 so the symbols would be very rare today and it would be a collectors item in that milieu.
The owner might want to turn to the the Lithuanian Masons of today who could delve into Lithuanian Masonic history. Maybe it's survival is incidental to a Lithuanian who migrated the United States after/during the famine. The Lithuanian famine was in the late 1860's as you all know.
Suddenly I am getting deja vu like I wrote this before, this two headed duck is apparently getting to me, so I'd better put it out of my mind. Unfortunately I have a cat that quacks (it's name is Queenie, but my son nicknamed it Quackers because it quacks when petted) so the two headed duck will probably hang around in my head for a while...until the next mystery I cannot solve.
Al Sumrall, 5 June 2014
Image from James Dignan, 8 June 2014
Amazingly, after never having seen a double-headed duck on a coat of arms, someone on the Facebook Flags of the World page has posted another one! The Indian city of Mysore also has that rather unusual emblem on its arms and flag.
James Dignan, 8 June 2014
Image by Sarvagnya, 8 June 2014
I found that the "double ducks" are actually from the "medieval" City of Karnataka. It is the Gandaberunda emblem found in the Mysore Palace and now the official emblem of the Karnataka state in India.
All this is rather "ducky", isn't it , but we still haven´t actually identified the flag in question.
Pete Loeser, 8 June 2014
Positive ID
Image from Klaus-Michael Schneider, 4 June 2014
The shot was taken in Istanbul during a Rally against PM Erdogan. The light blue flags are in PKK style but not in PKK colours (celestial blue White red instead of green yellow red).
Source: Tagesschau (German TV News) 15 May 2014.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 4 June 2014
This flag is of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (Turkish: Ezilenlerin Sosyalist Partisi, ESP, Kurdish: Partiya Sosyalîst a Bindestan, PSB). It is a Kurdish-based Marxist-Leninist political party in Turkey. It defines itself as "a militant revolutionary socialist party fighting for a workers'-labourers' federative republic in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan." The party is one of the participants in the Peoples' Democratic Congress, a political initiative instrumental in founding the Peoples' Democratic Party in 2012.
Sources: Wikipedia and
the ESP Party website (in Turkish).
Zoltan Horvath, 4 June 2014
Positive ID
Image from Esteban Rivera, 16 June 2014
In the Ministry of Defence of Iraq's official website, there's a video of reported captured terrorists who are conducting several attacks in the recent fighting in the country that led to the capture of Mosul, Tikrit and other cities by several armed movements, most notably the ISIS (or ISIL). In this video, there's supposed to be an Iraqi Army Infantry Unit flag in the background where these captured fighters are being interrogated. The flag [reverse side], seen in the background during the interrogation, follows the same pattern as a flag reported by Eugene Ipavec on December 27, 2010.
Esteban Rivera, 16 June 2014
Image from Zoltan Horvath, 25 October 2014
This is flag of Iraqi Seventh Infantry Division, the title is written above the Iraqi map on the flag. Here is another picture showing more of the flag.
Zoltan Horvath, 25 October 2014
Tentative ID
Image from Esteban Rivera, 21 June 2014
"The Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP) ( in Somali: Xisbiga Hantiwadaagga Kacaanka Soomaaliyeed - XHKS - in Arabic: Al-Hizb Al-Ishtiraki Al-Thawri Al-Sumal) was the governing political party in Somalia from 1976 to 1991. It succeded the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC), which took control of the country after a coup d'Etat from 1969."
In this SRSP poster one can see four flags on the bottom. The only identifiable flag is the third flag (from left to right), the flag of Somalia . The other three flags are unidentified.
Sources: Supreme Revolutionary Council and the Supreme Revolutionary Council.
Esteban Rivera, 21 June 2014
Seems to be the flags of a single party, the youth brabch, the women brabch and the single Trade Union flag.
Jaume Ollé, 23 June 2014
Positive ID
Image from Esteban Rivera, 21 June 2014
I've found this flag (on right), a Somali flag, most likely a Police flag. If anybody can identify it, please help.
Esteban Rivera, 21 June 2014
I have found a positive ID for UFE14-44. It is, as proposed by the submitter himself (Esteban Rivera), the flag of the Somali Police Force.
Daniel Lundberg, 4 July 2014
Tentative ID and Some Speculation
Image from Hoang Nhan Nguyen, 1 July 2014
Help me to identify two flag on the image taken from the footage of VICE News.
Hoang Nhan Nguyen, 1 July 2014
Well, they're definitely Kurdish. The one on the left is a portrait flag of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. The middle one appears to be a variant of the green flag of its affiliate the KKK, but without the yellow sun on which the red star is usually placed. The right one is a novelty, but it has the KKK sun+star in the farthest corner of its canton.
Eugene Ipavec, 1 July 2014
I have several questions regargding that image: 1. Can you provide the original link of VICE news that Mr. Nguyen Hoang Nhan mentions? 2. I see an Abdullah Öcalan flag (first flag from left to right, like the ones post here as the Öcalan flag. It is possible that the other two flags may also be of Turkish origin, rather than Syrian, but do we have the location of where this picture was taken? Perhaps if we identify the place we may have a better chance of identifying the other two flags.
Esteban Rivera, 1 July 2014
The video you mention is taken on "Syrian Kurdistan or Western Kurdistan (Kurdish: Rojavayê Kurdistan), also commonly referred to as simply Rojava meaning the West in Kurdish, is a de facto autonomous region in northern and north-eastern Syria".
Regarding the flags in this video, they are the flags of the "Democratic Union Party (Kurdish: Partiya Yekîtiya Demokrat, PYD) is a Syrian Kurdish political party established in 2003 by Kurdish activists in northern Syria. An affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and a founder member of the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change, it is described by the Carnegie Middle East Center as "one of the most important Kurdish opposition parties in Syria". It is said to control a number of towns in northern Syria." Sources: Democratic Union Party
The PYD "is basically ruling over the Northwestern part of the country. Since the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2012 the PYD has quietly constructed its own government in Syria including an army (YPG), police force (Asayis), and even conducts it's own foreign policy." Source: Rise of the PYD in Syria.
So the flags in the Youtube video that you mention from VICE news, are:
Image from Esteban Rivera, 3 July 2014
I forgot to mention one more flag featured in this video (3:26 and 4:38). It is the flag of the Kurdish Supreme Committee. They even had a poll or flag contest: "On its official Facebook page, the Kurdish Supreme Committee (KSC) posted a number of sample flags and logos as potential symbols to represent the unity of Syrian Kurds and different political factions working together under the umbrella of the committee."
Sources: Web Archive File, The Proposals, Northern Iraq Forum and this YouTube video.
It seems that this flag is actually the Asayish (Police Force) flag. So this flag remains an UFE.
Esteban Rivera, 3 July 2014
The War Dog flag has been moved to US Military Veteran Commemorative Flags.
Some Speculation
#47a
#47b
#47c
Images from Julian Boutique and Rob Raeside, 19 July 2014
I have at home a map representing a naval battle, probably from the 17th century, however, I can't identify the flags. I've got no information at all about where or when it happened, or if it indeed did happen. Here is a photo of two flags (#47a) I can find on the map. Could you tell me more about them or the battle?
Julian Boutique, 19 July 2014>
I have just uploaded two additional images (#47b and #47c) of the naval battle scene. Any suggestions? The overall battle scene has geography that might help - could that be Manhattan? Do the Palisades extend that far south (note the cliff shoreline opposite). Was there ever a barrage across the Hudson River? The flags have an obvious similarity to the English flags of the 1600s, but don't seen to match perfectly.
Rob Raeside, 19 July 2014
I don't recognize the battle, but assuming that the larger ships are Royal and that the flags are reasonably accurate, it is possible to place it in the late 16th or early 17th Centuries? I say this because we know that Red Ensigns were introduced into the "Navy Royale" from 1625 onwards, and striped ensigns completely phased out by c1630 (I'd have to look up the exact date).
It appears to be an attack by cannon mounted in the bows of longboats, and whilst I know that this was done (on at least one occasion) in the 18th Century, there is insufficient detail to be sure in this instance? An incident during the war for a free Holland in which Tudor England was involved?
Christopher Southworth, 20 July 2014
Assuming that it is not fictional, it would probably represent an event between the Spanish Armada (1588) and the English Civil War (1642). The topography does not match exactly, but it might relate to one of the expeditions to Cadiz; in either 1596 or 1625?
David Prothero, 21 July 2014
Image from Pete Loeser, 27 July 2014
I provide a drawing of the yet unidentified British naval ensign (#47a). It sure looks like another variant of a Tudor naval ensign to me.
I'm wondering if the ships shown in #47b might be trapped opponent's ships? If so, they appear to be flying a gold Saint Andrews cross outlined in blue (?) on a white sheet. Ring any bells with anybody? I know the French and Russians favored white naval flags, who else?
Pete Loeser, 27 July 2014
14-47 is the Siege of La Rochelle, I think. It's about Louis XIII breaking the edict of Nantes and then having to defeat the Huguenot uprising he caused, which he did despite some English efforts to lift the siege. The interesting bit is that I only know these as mono-colours. But if this is like the original and if Julian has the whole thing, then the identifying numbers can be looked up in the index below it, IIRC.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 12 August 2014
Julian agreed off-list that this is the "Siège de La Rochelle", and also that all other images are colourless. His has been framed without the index, and he has no way to determine whether the colour is genuine or added later. Nevertheless, he thanks us for adding that bit of information.
Next step would be to find such a colourless image that has the same print, where we can make out the numbers with certainty, and then find an index to look them up in. Anyone any ideas? But, with nothing definite on this print these colours might, of course, still be a colourer's fancy.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 23 August 2014
Positive ID
Image from Ruppert Baird, 27 July 2014
While watching a BBC World TV report on the last voyage of the Costa Concordia, there appeared in the far background during the comments of the Italian PM, a flag as attached. It was just a glimpse and I could make out little. I could not find a rendition anywhere on FOTW. Any idea?
Ruppert Baird, 27 July 2014
Image from Esteban Rivera, 3 August 2014
Regarding UFE14-48, here's the picture attached (in fact there are two flags atop the Costa Concordia) on this BBC footage at 0:57.
The Italian UFE is the Micoperi flag, a private company "which has been active in the marine sector since 1946 when the company was incorporated as a salvage company to free the shipping routes from vessels sunk during the Second World War".
(Source: Micoperi Corporation website)
The other flag seen in the video is that of Titan Salvage, which "was established in 1981 to work in the global salvage field without geographical limitation". (Source: Titan Salvage website)
Esteban Rivera, 3 August 2014
Image from Pete Loeser, 4 August 2014
A bit clearer image of the flags if enlarged [please click on it]. Definitely Micoperi and Titan Salvage.
Pete Loeser, 4 August 2014
Two flags appeared on the ship after it was put upright. Salvagers, I expect. (And scanning what has been added confirms this is so.)
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 12 August 2014
Some Speculation
Image from Leah Patton, 30 July 2014
I purchased this flag it in Galveston, Texas, in the bin at at an Army-Navy surplus store that my family has frequented for many years. They are going out of business. No one there knew anything about the flag's meanings. I know it is not a letter, number, number pennant, repeater, convoy, or other International code. I begin to suspect, after seeing some "Port of" flags printed in the back of a very old nautical manual, that it might be a "Port of ????" pennant.
I have used the keywords Chevron, inset chevron, pennant, burgee, and, of course come up with more hits for party flags that anything. I have also posted for VURD on Facebook, but no takers there either.
Leah Patton, 30 July 2014
If I knew whom to ask, I would be interested in this very old nautical manual that apparently has Port flags of some kind in it. I wonder how large this flag is. If the hoist triangle was bigger, several designs of yacht club burgees would be similar, except they all have a charge of some kind, as if they are trying to avoid looking like this one. But it too much larger it would more likely be a signal of some kind.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 12 August 2014
Some Speculation
Image from Jason Saber, 15 August 2014
The attached design was recently seen in Devon and sent on to me. No evident explanation accompanied the flag which was included amidst a range of regular designs. As no one has been able to identify the flag and because I thought it's actually a rather nice design I thought I'd send it to you.
Jason Saber, 15 August 2014
Note that if Jason doesn't recognise it, it's not a well known or official flag from the UK. It seems to be flown in a string with the Union Jack above, and a red, off-centred cross design (like Denmark) below.
Rob Raeside, 15 August 2014
The Union Jack appears upsides down. Do we at least have an idea of where in Devon and in what context? Some of the proposals for Dorset were Green, Yellow and Blue. Is there a tower of a castle in Dorset that the one on the flag could represent?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 15 August 2014
I wonder if the tower represents either St Michael’s Tower on Glastonbury Tor in the adjacent county of Somerset, or St Leonard’s Tower in Newton Abbot?
David Prothero, 16 August 2014
I have no idea what the flag is, but it seems unfortunate that the Union Flag in the photo appears to be upside down... [Peter Hans also commented on this]
Micky Sean, 18 August 2014
Positive ID
Image from Roger Sigrist, 20 August 2014, 20 August 2014
Can you help me identify this flag that was offered to me?
Roger Sigrist, 20 August 2014
This to me is probably the wheel of life flag used by Buddhist temples and homes in Thailand.
Zachary Harden, 20 August 2014
The yellow flag is Thai Buddhist flag.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 20 August 2014
The "Indian" flag is from Tahiland. It is the royal-religious flag adopted 5 December 1987.
A detail of the central emblem available on request from me (67kb).
Jaume Ollé, 20 August 2014
Positive ID
Image from Roger Sigrist, 20 August 2014, 20 August 2014
Can you help me identify this flag that was offered to me?
Roger Sigrist, 20 August 2014
Is there a way to determine which edge of flag is the top edge? It could indeed be Russian with unknown emblem, but it looks more RBW with an FA monogram to me.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 20 August 2014
No obvious way - if it's hanging from the edge of a roof. If the top as hung is the hoist (not seen, behind eavestrough), we are viewing the obverse, and it is WRB, and the stitching of the hem seems to support that we are looking at the obverse.
Rob Raeside, 20 August 2014
This flag belongs to the Broad Front (Frente Amplio, FA) party in Uruguay.
Zachary Harden, 20 August 2014
Some Speculation
Image from Bishop Lamoureux, 22 August 2014
This "Scissors" flags is from "Wonderland" near Toronto. They have these scissors flags mixed among various country flags. The closest I found was the Zulfiqar Flags, a set of former flags from Morocco.
Bishop Lamoureux, 22 August 2014
No, that's not it; if it were the three flags would have been the same. The configuration of the flags suggests they are for something right in front or behind the pole. So, what attraction was next to it?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 23 August 2014
Some Speculation
Images from Bishop Lamoureux, 22 August 2014
This flag was found it at a flea market in Pasadena. It is double-sided, and accommodates a flag pole. Anyone know what its from?
Bishop Lamoureux, 22 August 2014
Looks like an unfinished flag of Georgia.
Tomislav Todorovic, 22 August 2014
Some Speculation
Images from Bishop Lamoureux, 22 August 2014
This flag was placed on Reddit, but the Vexillologists of Reddit could not identify it. The original poster stated "I got this flag from my dad several years ago and never knew where it came from. It looks like a crest, but it's in flag form. Does anyone know where this came from? And in the same vein can anyone tell me the correct orientation?"
Here is some of the speculation made about the flag on Reddit: 1. "The black and white quartered shield is the coat-of-arms of Zollern and the original arms of the House of Hohenzollern, eventually the royal family of Prussia and later of the German Empire." 2. "The two-headed eagle is a symbol of the Byzantine, Holy Roman, and Russian empires, but based on the Zollern arms and the Latin letters (not Greek or Russian). I think it's from the Holy Roman Empire." and 3. "The flag is probably the personal flag of some relatively low ranking German noble."
Can any of you comment on or identify this flag?
Bishop Lamoureux, 22 August 2014
If he doesn't know the orientation, what makes it a flag?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 23 August 2014
Speculative image rotation by Pete Loeser, 23 August 2014
It appears to be some sort of wall hanging, podium or decorative banner to me, but we've done coats-of-arms before. I'd say the orientation of the shields and double-headed eagle on the coat-of-arms would indicate the orientation might be diamond-like, or at least provide a strong clue. A size would be helpful.
Pete Loeser, 23 August 2014
It looks like Sienna aguilla to me. [The contrade are quarters of Sienna which compete in the li palio (a semi-annual bareback horse race). During the festivals - 2 July and 16 August - they use special throwing flags. Click here to see an image of a Sienna Aguilla palio throwing flag. - Ed.]
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 23 August 2014
The crown is that of a Russian Tsar, but it might as well belong to Byzantine Empire (I don't know). And the arms above refer to St. Peter (look at the keys in base). It would be interesting to find out whether the flag is a replica or a silken original, and what the size of the flag is?
The ratio is similar to a military flag. The Zollern family gave princes to many European countries in the 19th and early 20th century, especially to Romania (but they had had a one-headed eagle), and Greece (they even now identify with the Byzantine Empire).
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 August 2014
