Flags:

A follow-up on the observation that there are few flags with any orange and brown on them, with thanks to many readers who responded:

1. Addition: Pink and purple seem scarce, too.
2. Explanations: The chief explanations seem to be (1) medieval heraldic conventions, (2) relative visibility from a distance, and (3) the relative cost of various dyes way back when the granddaddy flags were designed. Items 2 and 3 of course may well have influenced 1.
3. Cool site: “The world’s flags given letter grades.”

Samples:



“Pakistan   A 88 / 100   Best use of the star and crescent. Unfortunately, it depicts something astronomically impossible, namely the eclipse of the moon by a star. But perhaps it’s not a star but a nuclear satellite-weapon aimed at India?”



“Guam   F 20 / 100   Name of country written on flag in ugly typeface. Notice that the M of Guam is larger than the other letters. I have given it this high a grade because it would actually make quite a nice tea towel.”

4. The Cleveland connection: See here.