The Most Unusual Flag, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the flag you think is the most unusual!

Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:58

In a world brimming with symbols and emblems, flags hold a unique position as representatives not just of nations, but of distinct cultures, histories, and stories. Sometimes, a flag can surprise you with its design elements that deviate from traditional norms — be they unusual color choices, unexpected symbols, or innovative patterns. Being aware of such flags not only broadens our understanding but also adds a fun, quirky twist to our appreciation of world geography and international relations. This list has been dynamically crafted through the input of users like you, who vote to determine which flags stand out as the most unusual. By participating, you contribute to a continuously updated ranking that reflects a collective curiosity about world flags. Your votes help highlight the unique and often overlooked aspects of flag design, making this an engaging and informative experience for everyone involved.

What Is the Most Unusual Flag?

1

62
votes
Nightstallion · Public domain

Flag of Mozambique

The flag features an AK-47 crossed with a hoe, symbolizing the country's transition from war to agriculture.
The flag of Mozambique features a unique design consisting of three horizontal stripes of green, black, and yellow. In the top left corner, there is a red triangle that extends diagonally across the flag, with a yellow five-pointed star inside. The design represents the ruling political party, the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO), and the country's natural resources, struggle for independence, and aspirations for a brighter future.

Colors: Green, black, yellow, red, and yellow (star)

Proportions: The flag has a ratio of 2:3

Stripes: There are three horizontal stripes: green, black, and yellow

Triangle: A red triangle extends diagonally across the flag

Star: Inside the red triangle, there is a yellow five-pointed star
2

30
votes
Pumbaa80 · Public domain

Flag of Nepal

King Prithvi Narayan Shah

The flag is the only national flag that is not rectangular in shape, instead being a combination of two triangles.
The Flag of Nepal is the national flag of Nepal and is considered one of the most unique flags in the world. It features a combination of two triangular pennants, one on top of the other, forming a double-pennon shape.

Shape: Double-pennon (two stacked triangles)

Color: Crimson red with a blue border

Top Triangle: White with a stylized moon and sun

Bottom Triangle: Crimson red with a stylized white moon

Symbolism: Represents the hope for a long life, progress, and peaceful coexistence
3

27
votes
Flag of Kiribati

The flag features a yellow frigatebird flying over the ocean, representing the country's location in the Pacific.
The flag of Kiribati consists of a horizontal bicolor of red and blue, with a gold frigatebird flying over a gold rising sun in the top left corner. The red symbolizes the Gilbert Islands, the blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the frigatebird is a symbol of the country's power, freedom, and the ability to navigate the ocean, and the rising sun signifies a new beginning.

Colors: Red, Blue, Gold

Design: Horizontal bicolor with symbols in the canton

Symbolism: Gilbert Islands, Pacific Ocean, power, freedom, navigation, new beginning

Ratio: 1:2

Width: 100 units
4

10
votes
See File history below for details. · Public domain

Flag of Bhutan

The flag features a large dragon, symbolizing the country's name, which translates to "Land of the Thunder Dragon."
The Flag of Bhutan is a unique and distinctive flag that represents the Kingdom of Bhutan, a landlocked country located in the Eastern Himalayas.

Design: The flag is rectangle-shaped with diagonally divided fields. The upper, yellow field symbolizes the secular power of the King and the laity, while the lower, orange field represents religious and spiritual traditions.

Symbols: In the center of the flag, there is a large white dragon, known as the Druk, the Thunder Dragon of Bhutanese mythology. The dragon represents the country's name, Druk Yul, which means 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'.

Colors: The flag primarily features the colors yellow, orange, and white. Yellow symbolizes civil traditions, orange represents religious practices, and white represents purity and loyalty.

Proportions: The flag has a ratio of 2:3, meaning the length is twice the width.

History: The flag was first adopted in 1947, but it underwent some modifications in 1956. The current design was officially adopted in 1969.
5

11
votes
Edited by Reisio, Alkari, e.a. · CC0

Flag of the Isle of Man

The flag features a triskelion, a symbol with three legs, which is believed to represent the sun or the island's connection to the Celts.
The Flag of the Isle of Man consists of a red field with a centered triskelion symbol. The triskelion is composed of three armoured legs conjoined at the thigh, with golden spurs, set on a circular base.

Design: Red field with triskelion symbol

Colors: Red, Gold

Symbol: Triskelion (Three armored legs conjoined at the thigh, with golden spurs, set on a circular base)

Shape: Rectangular

Proportions: 1:2
6

12
votes
Flag design by Frederick Brownell, image by Wikimedia Commons users · Public domain

Flag of South Africa

Frederick G. Brownell

The flag features six colors and combines elements of the country's past and present, including the colors of the African National Congress and the Dutch settlers.
The Flag of South Africa consists of six equally sized horizontal stripes of red, white, blue, white, green, and yellow, with a green Y-shaped band that intersects the center and extends towards the hoist side. The top left triangle is black and has a golden yellow, or 'golden' gear inside it, whilst the bottom triangle is gold and contains a triangle of green and black, whilst in the centre of the black triangle, there is a symbol '!' surrounded by a garland of flowers in different colours.

Colors: Red, white, blue, green, yellow, black, and gold

Design: Horizontal stripes with a Y-shaped band

Symbolism: Representative of the diversity and unity of South Africa

Dimensions: Proportions of 2:3

Hoist Side: Left
7

5
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC0

Flag of Vatican City

Pope Pius XII

The flag features two crossed keys, one gold and one silver, representing the keys to heaven held by Saint Peter.
The Flag of Vatican City consists of two vertical bands, one yellow on the hoist side symbolizing the spiritual power of the Pope, and one white on the fly side representing the state power of the Vatican. The coat of arms of Vatican City, which includes the Papal tiara and keys, is centered on the white band.

Proportions: 1:1.5

Flag ratio: 2:3

Colors: Yellow, White

Vertical Bands: 2

Coat of Arms: Included
8

8
votes
SKopp · Public domain

Flag of Angola

The flag features a machete and a cogwheel, representing the country's agriculture and industry.
The Flag of Angola is a horizontal tricolor flag consisting of two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black (bottom), with a yellow emblem in the center. The emblem features a gearwheel crossed by a machete and a gold star above, all encircled by a half-wreath of coffee and maize branches.

Flag Ratio: 2:3

Colors: Red, black, and yellow

Emblem: Gearwheel, machete, gold star

Emblem Colors: Yellow, gold

Symbolism: Red represents the blood shed during the country's struggle for independence, black symbolizes Africa, yellow represents the country's wealth, the gearwheel represents industrial workers, the machete represents peasantry, and the star symbolizes socialism.
9

5
votes
Vzb83 · Public domain

Flag of Cyprus

The flag features a map of the country with two olive branches, representing peace, on either side.
The Flag of Cyprus consists of a white field, with an orange silhouette of the island of Cyprus in the center. The flag is unusual in that it depicts a map of the entire nation, rather than using traditional symbols or patterns.

Flag ratio: 3:5

Colors: White and orange

Map silhouette: Orange silhouette of Cyprus

Map orientation: Eastward, with the tip of the Karpasia Peninsula pointing toward the center-right side of the flag

Map accuracy: Generally accurate shape and proportions of the island
10

4
votes
Flag of the United States

Francis Hopkinson

The flag features 50 stars, representing the 50 states, and 13 stripes, representing the original 13 colonies.
The Flag of the United States, also known as the American flag, is a national flag consisting of thirteen horizontal stripes alternating between red and white, with a blue rectangle in the canton (referred to as the union) containing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars. The 50 stars represent the 50 states of the United States, and the 13 stripes represent the original thirteen British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain.

Design: Thirteen horizontal alternating red and white stripes, a blue rectangle (union) in the canton containing fifty white, five-pointed stars.

Stars: Fifty white, five-pointed stars.

Stripes: Thirteen alternating red and white stripes.

Colors: Red, white, and blue.

Aspect Ratio: 10:19

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Ranking factors for unusual flag

Unique design elements

Flags that have distinct design elements or unusual shapes can be considered unusual.
Uncommon colors

Flags that use colors that are not commonly used in flags, such as pink or brown, can also be considered unusual.
Symbolism

Flags with unconventional or obscure symbolic meaning can be considered unusual.
Historical significance

Flags that have a unique historical significance, such as flags of former or unrecognized countries, can be considered unusual.
Usage

Flags that are used for rare or specific occasions, such as maritime flags or signal flags, can also be considered unusual.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most unusual flag. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or flag is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1509 views
173 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each flag once every 24 hours. The rank of each flag is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most unusual flag

Flags are an integral part of a country's identity, representing its history, culture, and values. While most flags have common elements such as colors, symbols, and patterns, some flags stand out due to their uniqueness and unusual features. In this article, we explore some of the most unusual flags from around the world, each with its own story and meaning. From the flag of Nepal, which is the only national flag that is not rectangular, to the flag of Mozambique, which features an AK-47 assault rifle, these flags are sure to pique your curiosity and spark your interest in the fascinating world of vexillology.