There's a variety of Earth Day Flags. I personally prefer the phonetic "URTH". It sounds urthier!? (like some ancient Sumerian wandered in today).
You go from the traditional American style Theta (Theta = Warning!) design to the "Blue Marble" concept , then transition to spacier spherical variations on the Earth,Moon & Sun...

Vexillology is the "scientific study of the history, symbolism[,] and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general" (Smith 31) The word is a synthesis of the Latin word vexillum ("flag") and the Greek suffix -logy ("study"). It is formally defined by the International Federation of Vexillological Associations (FIAV) constitution as "the creation and development of a body of knowledge about flags of all types, their forms and functions, and of scientific theories and principles based on that knowledge."

  I'm fascinated by flags, especially obscure ones. Yesterday I found these flags used regionally, in upstate New York & Vermont, during one of the last  battles of the War of 1812, another topic I've been studying again with the bicentennial being celebrated & because it happened in the Western Reserve region & the greater Trans-Appalachian /Great Lakes watershed  regions, in this case, Lake Champlain (another great French explorer's name, for a beautiful lake).

Here are 3 different interpretations of the flag. The last one can be purchased at Atlanta Cutlery. Here' their description:

This flag is also known as The Battle of Plattsburgh Flag.  The War of 1812 actually stretched out until 1814 as the newly founded United States of America frantically fought off a large scale British attack.  The battle, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain, ended the final British invasion attempt of the northern United States. 

The flag was described as having "...a black ground with 13 stars for the Union of White, wrought in silver. That in the centre of the Flag there be a Death's Head, with cross bones under, intimating what must soon, according to the course of nature, be their promiscuous fate, and the immediate one of any enemy who shall venture to contend with them. Under these an open wreath, with this motto, 'Thy will be done.´ Over the Death's Head, surmounted as a crest, a Rattle-Snake with Thirteen rattles, coiled, ready to strike, with this motto in a similar wreath inverted over it, 'Don't tread on me.' "

Back to my description...


The flag was for a militia group of former Revolutionary War(The 1st Civil War)Veterans who were like a "home guard" for the War of 1812 (the 2nd Civil War). Why the 1st civil & 2nd Civil Wars? Modern Canada  was partially defined by "United Empire Loyalists" who were originally from what became the U.S.  The War of 1812 was a continuation of that war, on both sides of  the border.

It incorporates various elements:

A silver & white(or black) canton that looks like it got it's inspiration from General Washington's  six star Personal Revolutionary  War flag.

It also incorporates the Rattlesnake, which was very popular during the Revolution, due to Benjamin Franklin.

The most interesting thing, to me, for an American flag, was the "Death's head" ,which in the Americas was usually associated with piracy but was used in Central/Eastern Europe by Hussar regiments as well as other cavalry.

Here's a detailed explanation of the flags:

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-vetx.html#des

Today I'm beginning a post on "Regional Pride".  I have traveled & been impressed with how proud people are of their unique regions, cities and cultures.

I've also been fascinated with the graphical symbols displayed to show this pride,  be it a "Coat-of-Arms" or heraldic symbol, Wampum Belt, Fla and /or, Totemic Animal & how they wound up on everything such as cars, backpacks, telephone poles, even tattoos!