Flag Up — Answers

Here are the answers to today’s questions.

The first question relates to today’s date, 14 June. The remainder follow a theme created by the first. 

---

One

On 14 June …, the Continental Congress approved the Flag Resolution, establishing the Stars and Stripes as the first official flag of the United States. In what decade did this take place?

Answer: 1770s (1777).

On 14 June 1777, the Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, declaring that the flag of the United States should have thirteen red-and-white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field representing a new constellation. The resolution did not specify how the stars should be arranged, so early versions varied. The design is often attributed to Francis Hopkinson, and 14 June is now observed as Flag Day.

---

Two

What ten-letter word describes the badge in the centre of the flag shown at the top of this post, and what self-governing British Crown Dependency does it represent?

Answer: Triskelion; Isle of Man.

The Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown Dependency, has a flag which shows a triskelion of three armoured legs on a red background. The official flag since 1932, its origins are uncertain, with possible connections to the Crovan dynasty, Sicily, or the Germanic Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. The triskelion was retained after English domination in 1346 and officially adopted between 1928 and 1932.

---

Three

What national flag depicts an assault rifle, agricultural implement and a book described by Wikipedia as ‘a bayonet-equipped AK-47 crossed by a hoe, superimposed on an open book’?

Answer: Flag of Mozambique.

The Mozambican flag, adopted in 1983, features a red triangle with a star, AK-47, hoe, and book. The design, based on FRELIMO’s flag, has faced calls for change since democratisation in 1990.

---

Four

What national flag is described by Wikipedia as follows:

The flag of … is a concave pentagonal flag of red, white, and blue colour. It is used as both the state and civil flag of …. It is the only non-rectangular national flag in the world and the only one that is taller than it is wide. The flag’s unique shape is a combination of two single pennants, and is known as a double-pennon. The red colour of the field represents bravery and …’s national flower, the rhododendron, while the blue colour of the border represents peace.

Answer: Nepal.

The flag of Nepal is a unique concave pentagonal flag of red, white, and blue, used as both the state and civil flag. It is the only non-rectangular national flag in the world and the only one taller than it is wide, known as a double-pennon, formed by combining two single pennants. Adopted in 1962 with the Nepalese constitution, the flag’s shape emerged from the flags of competing branches of the Rana dynasty. The red field symbolises bravery and Nepal’s national flower, the rhododendron, while the blue border represents peace. The upper triangle, featuring a white silhouette of the moon, symbolises the royal family and its power, and the lower triangle, with the sun symbol, stands for the Rana family and political power. Together, these symbols represent the hope for Nepalese independence to last as long as the sun and moon. The flag’s serrated shape also evokes the peaks of the Himalayas, and the red background indicates energy.

---

Five

Apart from the flag mentioned in question four above, all flags are rectangular, and that includes the two which are square. What two sovereign states have flags which are square?

Answer: Switzerland; Vatican City.

The Swiss flag, featuring a white cross on a red background, dates back to the Middle Ages, symbolising Christianity and independence. The red represents Christian martyrs’ blood, while the cross signifies Christianity. Switzerland’s political neutrality is also reflected in the flag. The Vatican flag, with dark yellow and white stripes, includes the papal mitre and keys of St. Peter, symbolising the Pope’s authority. Adopted in 1929, it represents the Roman Catholic Church’s significance.

---