Creart Designs has this nifty creation on Etsy. This is not an ad.
While countries primarily use their flags to depict parts of their history and culture from which they derive pride, making these flags aesthetically appealing is equally important. This dual mandate makes creating a flag difficult, leading to countries choosing to emphasize history over aesthetics. Australia and New Zealand, two former colonies of Great Britain, serve as examples of the problem with choosing history over aesthetics; both would be better off if they ditched the Union Jack and went with new designs based on their current color schemes. While doing a ranking of flags based on their history would require a strenuous amount of research, which my professors have ensured I do not have time for, ranking country flags based on aesthetics simply requires Google and my impeccable ability to judge. Without further ado, here are my top five country flags based only on aesthetics:
5. Panama
Photo courtesy of Worldometers.
Nobody has ever gone wrong by using simple geometry and a blue and red color scheme. The Panamanian flag is austere and formidable, with straight lines and contrasting blue and red on either side that gives a sense of comforting dualism. The use of stars on the white background gives the flag a sense of importance as if Panama acts as a proud and benevolent nation on the world stage. Panama displays the magic that can be done with a simple design.
4. Namibia
Photo courtesy of Worldometers.
Namibia gets the stripe right. Similarly to Panama, its color scheme is inviting, especially the use of green and the bright yellow sun making it resemble a landscape. The red stripe fits in the corners well and provides the flag with a level of sternness that contrasts sharply with the cool green and blue sides.
3. North Macedonia
Photo courtesy of Worldometers.
For a country whose name harkens back to the legacy of Alexander the Great, this flag is especially appropriate. I know I said I would not talk about history, but it is too easy with this one. The flag has a regal feel to it due to the symmetrical yellow stripes surrounding the central circle, with the red background only adding to this effect. North Macedonia’s flag resembles its geographic position, a beacon of light in the center of the Balkans (this is not a political statement) and puts forth aspirations for greatness.
2. Seychelles
Photo courtesy of Worldometers.
I like rainbows; do you like rainbows? You should. Seychelles uses a simple concept but takes it far with its diagonally receding lines of white and four colors. This design gives off feelings of peace and tranquility, making me feel as if I want to take a vacation to Seychelles. How could a country with this beautiful of a flag do anything wrong?
South Africa
Photo courtesy of Worldometers.
South Africa’s flag has long been a favorite of mine, especially given the substantial scale of improvement from the apartheid era flag (look it up; it is almost as terrible as apartheid). The black triangle outlined in yellow gives a sense of renewal while the large green stripe gives a sense of movement, as if South Africa is looking towards the future. The South African flag exemplifies everything you want from a nation, a pro-progress vision with an eye towards the people’s well being, which can be seen in the red and blue that appears to move along with the green stripe. It is too bad that the current state does not live up to its flag’s promises.
So here are my rankings. I encourage you to read this list and come to your own conclusions, although this is now more difficult due to the inexplicable absence of flags from Commons for about two years now.