Utah gets new flag... kind of... for now
March 25, 2023 12:55 PM Subscribe
Ah, man, they kept the beehive and made it even bigger. Yay.
Beehives are cool and all but the beehive is totally a Mormon/LDS religious history and doctrine thing and symbol and where the whole Beehive State name comes from. It's not just about the bees, obviously.
But it's enough of a religious icon that it's like having a Ichthys symbol (aka Jesus Fish) front and center on a state flag, or some other specific religious sect.
But I guess Utah is gonna Utah.
posted by loquacious at 1:16 PM on March 25, 2023 [21 favorites]
Beehives are cool and all but the beehive is totally a Mormon/LDS religious history and doctrine thing and symbol and where the whole Beehive State name comes from. It's not just about the bees, obviously.
But it's enough of a religious icon that it's like having a Ichthys symbol (aka Jesus Fish) front and center on a state flag, or some other specific religious sect.
But I guess Utah is gonna Utah.
posted by loquacious at 1:16 PM on March 25, 2023 [21 favorites]
First was a family visit to Mount Rushmore where, not realizing the flags were sorted alphabetically
This man is a state senator.
posted by box at 1:18 PM on March 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
This man is a state senator.
posted by box at 1:18 PM on March 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
NAVA’s basic principles of good flag design hold that a flag should be simple enough that a child could draw it from memory; have meaningful symbols; use two or three basic colors; have no lettering or seals; and be distinctive.Oh man, I remember how hard drawing the Oklahoma state flag was even when you could copy it off a picture or an actual flag. I mean, I guess the symbols are meaningful, but it isn't simple, has too many colors, and has lettering. And it's on a blue background, but that blue background has history.
The DC flag, on the other hand, is awesome.
posted by fedward at 1:26 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
They should have the just promoted the Provo city flag to the state level.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 1:28 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 1:28 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Oh, wait, I guess they retired the good one in 2015...
posted by paper chromatographologist at 1:29 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 1:29 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Needs more sego lilies, the red should look like mesas. But, Utah is "The Beehive State." After all, buzzy hands are happy hands.
posted by Oyéah at 1:51 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 1:51 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
and here’s why more states are mulling redesigns
Not sure about your loser State, but Colorado's flag is perfect.
posted by alex_skazat at 1:53 PM on March 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
Not sure about your loser State, but Colorado's flag is perfect.
posted by alex_skazat at 1:53 PM on March 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
That DC flag has a rennaissance feel, three stars, the three houses of government, two bars ; I'm sure there are more than that now.
posted by Oyéah at 1:56 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Oyéah at 1:56 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
Sure, last month I learned all the state flags for trivia, this month they change them.
posted by jacquilynne at 1:57 PM on March 25, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 1:57 PM on March 25, 2023 [10 favorites]
[Austin Powers Voice] Oh, beehive.
posted by aubilenon at 3:30 PM on March 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by aubilenon at 3:30 PM on March 25, 2023 [6 favorites]
Here in Seattle, we have a city flag that I think is *almost* good.
In looking it up again I see that someone's launched a redesigned version which is gaining a little traction. Personally I would have kept the waves coming in from the top corner. I like that detail and while it adds a little busyness I think that's outweighed by making the visual outline more unique. "geometric shape in the center" is common for a reason, but variety is good too.
posted by vibratory manner of working at 3:44 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
In looking it up again I see that someone's launched a redesigned version which is gaining a little traction. Personally I would have kept the waves coming in from the top corner. I like that detail and while it adds a little busyness I think that's outweighed by making the visual outline more unique. "geometric shape in the center" is common for a reason, but variety is good too.
posted by vibratory manner of working at 3:44 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
I am sympathetic to people's dislike of religious symbolism in a state flag. Interestingly, the section of the state government website devoted to the new flag refers to the beehive as a symbol of industry and Utah's history but avoids explicitly mentioning its association with Mormonism. Which is somewhat disingenuous, but at least its not Moroni blowing a trumpet.
I think it's a good design, and clearly an improvement on the old one.
I would like this trend to catch on with more states, specifically Maryland, a state with a hideous flag that is nonetheless mysteriously beloved by vexillogists
and tchotchke purveyors. At least it's not a seal on a bedsheet, I guess...
posted by the primroses were over at 3:57 PM on March 25, 2023
I think it's a good design, and clearly an improvement on the old one.
I would like this trend to catch on with more states, specifically Maryland, a state with a hideous flag that is nonetheless mysteriously beloved by vexillogists
and tchotchke purveyors. At least it's not a seal on a bedsheet, I guess...
posted by the primroses were over at 3:57 PM on March 25, 2023
Speaking of Washington State, they really have to get to work on our SOB flag (instead of whatever current NIMBY- and Bezos-fellating work the state leg currently has going on).
I’m a big fan of this one (same designer as the orca flag, which I also like); it has the local (Bellingham) connection going for it.
posted by supercres at 4:06 PM on March 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
I’m a big fan of this one (same designer as the orca flag, which I also like); it has the local (Bellingham) connection going for it.
posted by supercres at 4:06 PM on March 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Beehives are cool and all but the beehive is totally a Mormon/LDS religious history and doctrine thing and symbol and where the whole Beehive State name comes from.
Long before there was a Mormon/LDS religion, the beehive was an emblem used by Freemasons (who likely borrowed the symbolism elsewhere, although it’s use by Masons has been documented as far back as the early 18th century). Since Brigham Young, Joseph Smith and many other prominent early Mormons were New York State Freemasons, their extensive borrowing of Masonic practices and symbolism isn’t a big surprise.
posted by slkinsey at 4:11 PM on March 25, 2023 [7 favorites]
Long before there was a Mormon/LDS religion, the beehive was an emblem used by Freemasons (who likely borrowed the symbolism elsewhere, although it’s use by Masons has been documented as far back as the early 18th century). Since Brigham Young, Joseph Smith and many other prominent early Mormons were New York State Freemasons, their extensive borrowing of Masonic practices and symbolism isn’t a big surprise.
posted by slkinsey at 4:11 PM on March 25, 2023 [7 favorites]
Not sure about your loser State, but Colorado's flag is perfect.
Nah, that honor will always go to CO’s neighbor to the south, New Mexico.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:06 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
Nah, that honor will always go to CO’s neighbor to the south, New Mexico.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:06 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
Colorado's flag is perfect
Too logo-y.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:13 PM on March 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Too logo-y.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:13 PM on March 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Ha! I had never heard of Seal on a Bedsheet before, but that's a great description of our New York flag. I remember trying to draw it as a schoolkid, and Liberty and Justice ended up as (slightly) glorified stick figures,
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:22 PM on March 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:22 PM on March 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
I pity everyone who isn't living in Maryland, where our fantastically insane flag (the only heraldic state flag in the country) can double as pants for a Norwegian curling team or a tiny car full of clowns in a pinch. It's just so delightful.
posted by sonascope at 6:48 PM on March 25, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by sonascope at 6:48 PM on March 25, 2023 [11 favorites]
I would like this trend to catch on with more states, specifically Maryland, a state with a hideous flag that is nonetheless mysteriously beloved by vexillogists and tchotchke purveyors.
Our flag is unforgettable, free of fussy little scrawled-on writing or dorky symbols, and is perfectly appropriate for the state that produced John Waters, Divine, and the fertile ground where Jim Henson created the Muppets. Plus, a crazy heraldic flag (the only one) is appropriate where the state bird is a crab, the state sport is jousting, and where our bay islands hosted a population of speakers with an Elizabethan accent that's only just finally dying out.
posted by sonascope at 6:57 PM on March 25, 2023 [17 favorites]
Our flag is unforgettable, free of fussy little scrawled-on writing or dorky symbols, and is perfectly appropriate for the state that produced John Waters, Divine, and the fertile ground where Jim Henson created the Muppets. Plus, a crazy heraldic flag (the only one) is appropriate where the state bird is a crab, the state sport is jousting, and where our bay islands hosted a population of speakers with an Elizabethan accent that's only just finally dying out.
posted by sonascope at 6:57 PM on March 25, 2023 [17 favorites]
Moving from CA to WA was such a downgrade in state flags. Wow, so original, state flag of Washington, huge pic of Washington. What an embarrassment
posted by potrzebie at 7:00 PM on March 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by potrzebie at 7:00 PM on March 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
Utah local here. Don’t blame me; I voted for a blank field the color of fry sauce, with the words “Flaggy McFlagface” printed across it in a nice scrapbooker-handwriting font.
posted by armeowda at 7:01 PM on March 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by armeowda at 7:01 PM on March 25, 2023 [5 favorites]
The Minneapolis city flag looks like a detail from a Devo album cover.
posted by gimonca at 8:18 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by gimonca at 8:18 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
…the beehive is totally a Mormon/LDS religious history and doctrine thing and symbol and where the whole Beehive State name comes from. It's not just about the bees, obviously.
But it's enough of a religious icon that it's like having a Ichthys symbol (aka Jesus Fish) front and center on a state flag, or some other specific religious sect.
At least it isn’t honoring racist traitors.
posted by TedW at 8:19 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
But it's enough of a religious icon that it's like having a Ichthys symbol (aka Jesus Fish) front and center on a state flag, or some other specific religious sect.
At least it isn’t honoring racist traitors.
posted by TedW at 8:19 PM on March 25, 2023 [3 favorites]
I pity everyone who isn't living in Maryland, where our fantastically insane flag (the only heraldic state flag in the country) can double as pants for a Norwegian curling team or a tiny car full of clowns in a pinch. It's just so delightful.
I grew up near Baltimore but no longer live there, and my friends here give me crap for my affection for the wild beautiful mess that is the Maryland state flag. To be fair, "here" is Arizona, which has one of the other best state flags in the nation, so standards are high.
posted by egregious theorem at 8:28 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
I grew up near Baltimore but no longer live there, and my friends here give me crap for my affection for the wild beautiful mess that is the Maryland state flag. To be fair, "here" is Arizona, which has one of the other best state flags in the nation, so standards are high.
posted by egregious theorem at 8:28 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
Look, everyone is welcome to delight in whatever ugly flags bring them joy, but the Baltimore city flag is a better use of the Calvert coat of arms and drops the Confederate sympathizer half.
posted by the primroses were over at 8:45 PM on March 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by the primroses were over at 8:45 PM on March 25, 2023 [4 favorites]
I feel like the vexillology episode of the 99 Percent Invisible podcast is what got the internet interested in city and state flag design. And for good reason, it's a great episode.
If you haven't listened to it, it's a thing to start with and then dive into Mefi's various vexillology FPPs.
posted by AlSweigart at 10:54 PM on March 25, 2023
If you haven't listened to it, it's a thing to start with and then dive into Mefi's various vexillology FPPs.
posted by AlSweigart at 10:54 PM on March 25, 2023
It's not a beehive, it's a very cool gold hamburger menu.
Now Mississippi's almost official first attempt -- that's the kind of Only-in-America-style I expect in a flag.
posted by zaixfeep at 10:55 PM on March 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Now Mississippi's almost official first attempt -- that's the kind of Only-in-America-style I expect in a flag.
posted by zaixfeep at 10:55 PM on March 25, 2023 [2 favorites]
Can we change the Texas flag while we're at it? As much as I can tell, it just means "I can't wait to secede, but I enjoy the convenience of crossing the border into your state to vacation and also drive terribly"
posted by credulous at 11:30 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by credulous at 11:30 PM on March 25, 2023 [1 favorite]
That orca one, I’m dying!
Here are some gems from the Netherlands:
- Uithoorn (pronunced roughly like English “out horn”)
- Hensbroek (broek means pants)
- Amsterdam (not funny, just vexillologically awesome)
posted by antinomia at 1:30 AM on March 26, 2023 [3 favorites]
Here are some gems from the Netherlands:
- Uithoorn (pronunced roughly like English “out horn”)
- Hensbroek (broek means pants)
- Amsterdam (not funny, just vexillologically awesome)
posted by antinomia at 1:30 AM on March 26, 2023 [3 favorites]
I had a quick look through the state flags, and Wyoming so nearly had a great flag but they just couldn’t resist fucking it up.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 2:38 AM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 2:38 AM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
I pity everyone who isn't living in Maryland, where our fantastically insane flag (the only heraldic state flag in the country) can double as pants for a Norwegian curling team or a tiny car full of clowns in a pinch. It's just so delightful.
Maryland's flag appears to be yelling something unintelligible.
posted by clawsoon at 5:16 AM on March 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
Maryland's flag appears to be yelling something unintelligible.
posted by clawsoon at 5:16 AM on March 26, 2023 [4 favorites]
At least it isn’t honoring racist traitors.
Well, not anymore.
posted by clawsoon at 5:19 AM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Well, not anymore.
posted by clawsoon at 5:19 AM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Still sad we didn’t get a Fry Sauce logo on the flag (previously during the Potato Posts craze).
I guess the trucker protests to save the flag didn't work then.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 5:51 AM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I guess the trucker protests to save the flag didn't work then.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 5:51 AM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Long before there was a Mormon/LDS religion, the beehive was an emblem used by Freemasons (who likely borrowed the symbolism elsewhere, although it’s use by Masons has been documented as far back as the early 18th century). Since Brigham Young, Joseph Smith and many other prominent early Mormons were New York State Freemasons, their extensive borrowing of Masonic practices and symbolism isn’t a big surprise.
Oh, that is so much better! Thanks!
hamburger
posted by loquacious at 6:41 AM on March 26, 2023
Oh, that is so much better! Thanks!
hamburger
posted by loquacious at 6:41 AM on March 26, 2023
It’s a pretty artless redesign. I’m all for simplicity but that doesn’t have to mean lack of charm. It now looks like the logo for a gas station or a company whose main product is misuse of water.
posted by Conrad-Casserole at 6:58 AM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Conrad-Casserole at 6:58 AM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I get (and agree with) the disdain for “seals on a bedsheet.” That said, one of the few things I actually like about the state, is Indiana’s flag.
For a an early 20th century design (it was adopted in 1917), I think it’s surprisingly restrained and handsome, especially when compared to Indiana’s previous flag. Yikes!
It’s only (pretty minor, really) misstep is the “Indiana” near the top, which seems to be a pretty common affectation of the era. But, thankfully, it’s relatively tiny in relation to the rest of the design elements.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:51 AM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
For a an early 20th century design (it was adopted in 1917), I think it’s surprisingly restrained and handsome, especially when compared to Indiana’s previous flag. Yikes!
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It’s only (pretty minor, really) misstep is the “Indiana” near the top, which seems to be a pretty common affectation of the era. But, thankfully, it’s relatively tiny in relation to the rest of the design elements.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:51 AM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Up here in Canada... the flag of Ontario is at least not a SOB but is still pretty busy. Toronto's and obviously the Maple Leaf are pretty great. So 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
Overall the provincial and territory flags are pretty bad with a couple notable exceptions.
posted by cirhosis at 8:40 AM on March 26, 2023
Overall the provincial and territory flags are pretty bad with a couple notable exceptions.
posted by cirhosis at 8:40 AM on March 26, 2023
Quebec's a good one, but Nunavut is excellent.
A lot of flags should take Coco Chanel's advice and take one thing off.
posted by box at 9:01 AM on March 26, 2023 [5 favorites]
A lot of flags should take Coco Chanel's advice and take one thing off.
posted by box at 9:01 AM on March 26, 2023 [5 favorites]
Springfield, Mo represent!
Whoo hoo!
posted by kirkaracha at 11:00 AM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Whoo hoo!
posted by kirkaracha at 11:00 AM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
The old Utah flag was a mess, but a mess made by graphic designers who knew how to make the elements discernable. The redesign looks a little cheap and blurry.
Marylanders know they have a fine flag and so ignore ill-informed opinions. Few flags can combine our colors without inducing nausea the way ours does, and few flags are better as socks or scarves.
posted by acrasis at 11:12 AM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Marylanders know they have a fine flag and so ignore ill-informed opinions. Few flags can combine our colors without inducing nausea the way ours does, and few flags are better as socks or scarves.
posted by acrasis at 11:12 AM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Wyoming’s flag would be perfect if they got rid of the State Seal and just had the white Buffalo, the blue background and the red border.
posted by interogative mood at 11:36 AM on March 26, 2023
posted by interogative mood at 11:36 AM on March 26, 2023
Ohio's is boring, if not unique. It's the only nonrectangular flag in the US. (wikipedia)
posted by kathrynm at 11:40 AM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by kathrynm at 11:40 AM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
So states are going to throw a bunch of money at a new rag flag, because of course, they couldn't possibly spend the money to feed school kids or take care of their homeless.
Having the right color and design on piece of fabric is important? Legislators and their priorities.
posted by BlueHorse at 12:11 PM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Having the right color and design on piece of fabric is important? Legislators and their priorities.
posted by BlueHorse at 12:11 PM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
It looks more like a logo for Utah Inc., which I suppose it is.
And the original intended name for Utah was "Deseret," which is a Book of Mormon-y word that refers to honeybees.
posted by Quaversalis at 5:14 PM on March 26, 2023
And the original intended name for Utah was "Deseret," which is a Book of Mormon-y word that refers to honeybees.
posted by Quaversalis at 5:14 PM on March 26, 2023
Michigans flag has an eagle flanked by dancing elk and sasquatch with a musket in the middle.
posted by clavdivs at 5:48 PM on March 26, 2023
posted by clavdivs at 5:48 PM on March 26, 2023
The California Republic flag was drawn by Abraham Lincoln's nephew. But he was such a bad artist that a lot of people thought the grizzly bear on the flag was a pig.
They captured a poor grizzly to use as a model for the later official state flag. Sadly, there are no more grizzly bears in California.
posted by eye of newt at 10:26 PM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
They captured a poor grizzly to use as a model for the later official state flag. Sadly, there are no more grizzly bears in California.
posted by eye of newt at 10:26 PM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Why doesn't anybody ever iron their flags before they display them? The crease marks in the picture linked make me judgey.
The New Mexico flag is beautiful and is also a symbol stolen from the Zia people.
posted by xueexueg at 11:00 AM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
The New Mexico flag is beautiful and is also a symbol stolen from the Zia people.
posted by xueexueg at 11:00 AM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
Of the things that could be on that flag pooping out a star, a beehive is neither the best nor the worst.
posted by gurple at 4:30 PM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by gurple at 4:30 PM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
sasquatch with a musket in the middle
A modest proposal, should Michigan ever want to move away from using its seal: Chewbacca.
Just a big ol' rectangle depicting Chewbacca.
Think on it.
posted by evidenceofabsence at 8:39 PM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
A modest proposal, should Michigan ever want to move away from using its seal: Chewbacca.
Just a big ol' rectangle depicting Chewbacca.
Think on it.
posted by evidenceofabsence at 8:39 PM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'm so glad they put their time, effort, and money into designing a new flag instead of trying to mitigate the ecological disaster of the Great Salt Lake.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:36 AM on March 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:36 AM on March 29, 2023 [1 favorite]
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