Flags have been around for a long time, with flag-like symbols dating back to the 11th Century BC, and used in ancient civilizations like Egypt and Rome. Today, the flag is one of the most recognizable symbols of a country, group, or movement. They are easily recognizable, brightly colored, and usually have simple designs.
In fiction, flags help create a well-developed world, whether by incorporating design elements based on real-life flags or with entirely original symbology. Here, we’re taking a look at five of the most famous fictional flags.
House Stark Banner, A Song of Ice and Fire
In a pseudo-medieval setting, heraldry and livery play a large role in the world-building of Westeros. While each noble house has its own symbols, the most well-known is likely that of House Stark, a grey wolf on a white field.
The Latveria Flag, Fantastic Four
Victor von Doom, the nemesis of the superhero group the Fantastic Four, is the king of Latveria, a fictional country in southeast Europe. The flag is green with a horizontal black and red cross and Dr. Doom’s symbol in the intersection.
Flag of Animal Farm, Animal Farm
When Snowball designs the flag, he paints a white hoof and horn on a green tablecloth, representing the dominance of animals over humans. As an allegory of the 1917 Russian Revolution, the design mirrors that of the USSR.
Wakanda Flag, Black Panther
With two blockbuster movies, Black Panther is more popular than ever, and the hero is closely linked to the fictional African country of Wakanda, with a red and green flag with a, you guessed it, black panther motif.
The Ankh-Morpork Flag, Discworld
The fictional city-state Ankh-Morpork features prominently in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. The flag features the coat of arms; a shield quartered by the Tower of Art and the River Ankh, featuring two moneybags, a cabbage field, and a black field. The shield is supported by two hippos, and crested with a morpork holding an ankh.
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