Let's talk about state flags, shall we? [View all]

[Tommy_Carcetti]

I just returned from a visit to Maryland, where I was born and raised, and let me tell you, there are Maryland flags everywhere. Bumper stickers (a lot of them in the form of a crab), shirts, shorts, lanyards, keychains, just about everything that you could imagine with a Maryland flag on it.

Yes, the Maryland flag is apparently a big deal now, and I can understand it. It looks like something one might find at a medieval jousting tournament (which, coincidentally, is the state sport of Maryland), and while it might be accused of being too busy, it's not hodgepodge. Fly it upside down and it's the same as right side up. (Which would be very frustrating for any Marylander in distress).

Funny thing is, all the Maryland flag love is fairly new. When I lived there barely anyone paid much attention to the Maryland flag. But these days you can't walk three feet without running into something with yellow, black, red and white plastered all over it.

It helps that it is unique. Too many state flags are just extremely boring. About half of them are just blue blackgrounds with the state logo in the middle of it.

There are a couple of exceptions.

There's New Mexico, which is heavily Native American inspired:



Arizona, with its rays of sun:



Ohio, which is like a deconstructed American flag and the only one not a rectangle:




I like palm trees, so I have to admit South Carolina's flag gives off a nice vibe:



Nice beaver, Oregon:



So any favorites for anyone else?