Do you fly your country's flag?
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
United States
June 7, 2011 4:42pm CST
Literally. Do you have a flag of your country, nation or group flying on your property? If you have more than one, what do you display more prominently?
I have failed to get a new flag after my last was damaged and I miss having it up. Soon the Stars and Stripes will fly here again, and with the kids leaning toward military service, one or more service branch flags may be joining it.
What do you have, or if you don't want to fly a flag, is there a story as to why?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
8 Jun 11
No. I do not have a flag at all. Countries are just invisible boundaries that I don't believe in. Flags, in my opinion, are just another symbol separating us. Governments telling us that we should put the invisible boundary we live in above all others. It leads to ideas of superiority and hate. Flags are flown during war, patriotism and loyalty to our countries are equated with war fanaticism. I have come to associate national flags with war and as a pacifist, I can't find any reason to fly a flag.
1 person likes this
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
8 Jun 11
I understand what you're saying. Some people will use any excuse to hate another.
For me, though, I feel I have a duty to honor those who came before me to give me the life I have. My flags represent that. Flags also represent ideals that I believe in, but if you don't believe in anything I guess you don't need a flag.
They do make a flag for pacifists, you know. The peace sign flag is a little "hippie" for my taste, but it is universally recognizable.
Raise the colors!
1 person likes this
@livecenter (1136)
• Malaysia
9 Jun 11
@_sketch_: I don't think that flying a flag means that we are worshipping it...For me, flag is a symbol that unites us - not dividing us...
Perhaps it is too much to say that "patriotism and loyalty to our countries are equated with war fanaticism"...Can you say that older generations of yours that liberated your country from Britain as war fanatics? I believe you won't say that...I would say that war fanatics use that idea of "patriotism and loyalty" to justify their war ideas...
Flags are our pride, showing who we are and we should be proud of that...
@ambivalence (10)
• Philippines
8 Jun 11
We don't have our country's flag at our house.
Here in our country, the only places where you can see the flag is at schools, offices, and parks.
We just haven't been accustomed to that.
1 person likes this
@livecenter (1136)
• Malaysia
9 Jun 11
@ambivalence: No offense, but you can make that difference! Why not starting the initiative to fly your national flag at your own house? It will simply get the wave started, believe me!
All the best!
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
9 Jun 11
I agree with livecenter, unless you live somewhere were the national flag might get you in trouble. :(
@qianlizhifeng (468)
• China
8 Jun 11
When talking about national flags,I have someting to say.In my hometown,some peasants will put national flags on the top of their houses which are being built.I don't know why until one day a peasant told me the reason.From his words,I got the reason.We are told that the national flag is red,which "comes from"the blood of fighters who have contributed their life to the liberation of our country.So the peasants think that the national flag will bring happiness,lucks and help them prevent from being hurt by some evil things.I don't think it polite to our national flag to put national flags on the top of buiding houses.But it seems to become a custom in my hometown.
1 person likes this
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
9 Jun 11
This a tradition I have not heard before but the concept is familiar. Many cultural flags have also been used to promote the future prosperity of new construction. Using a national flag may be a way to show renewed interest in the country. Is your national flag an old one, or relatively new?
@anurag3786 (6267)
• India
8 Jun 11
Yes I have my country flag and I always give it to respect. My country flag have 3 colors like first is Red and middle color is white with a chakra called Ashok Chakra and last color is green. So our country flag is called Tiranga. Yes it is our Indian flag. And all of us give respect to our country flag. I think this is a very good flag.
@livecenter (1136)
• Malaysia
9 Jun 11
@anurag3786: I believe we should be respectful to any flag, regardless of what nationality we are...It is good to see a patriotic person like you around...It simply makes me even prouder of my country!
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
9 Jun 11
For India, the flag is a grand demonstration of freedom and cultural identity. You do it honor. Thanks for responding.
@livecenter (1136)
• Malaysia
8 Jun 11
@balthasartherat: You are surely a patriotic citizen! Most people won't care about having it up at all (or will care only when National Day is around the corner), yet you miss having the flag up and flying...Keep it up, mate! You surely make you country proud!
I flown one here...
1 person likes this
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
8 Jun 11
Thank you! Keep up the good work yourself!
1 person likes this
@moirai (2853)
• Philippines
8 Jun 11
Lol! Yes we do. =P
I was going through my things some years ago and I found these small flags of my country. I can't remember where we used them, probably in school. And I thought, instead of keeping them in the cabinet, why not display them outside? So we placed it above our door and it's still there until now. =)
@livecenter (1136)
• Malaysia
9 Jun 11
@moirai: Good job mate! That's the way how a patriotic person who loves his/her country shows his/her feelings!
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
9 Jun 11
The size of the flags doesn't matter. If it means something to you it as large as any flag. Thanks for sharing.
@mindym (978)
• United States
8 Jun 11
I grew up in a house that displayed the American flag proudly all year round. Sadly, I do not have a flag hanging up because I live in an apartment building and we have guidelines to follow on what can and cannot be displayed. However, this does not make me love my country less. I am proud to be an American and I am so appreciative of the men and women who fight or have fought for the freedom that I have.
@BalthasarTheRat (656)
• United States
9 Jun 11
Thanks. I remember living places that have restrictions on exterior displays and that stinks. Keep the good thoughts in your heart!