Flages for the MEA
- Thread starter Mr Evil
- Start date
Um er, Mr Evil. I cannot speak for what you say about white meaning peace. I won't trash that as I do not know the truth (or lack thereof) to that statement. Also, I will not go into politics, as I still see that you have some comments up that are not "Evo-centric" and thus game-related. What I do know is that I've done a bit of research (a lot) that states that the color white was used by the Umayyad Dynasty of Damascus for 90 years. It was a color of mourning and was used as a reminder of the Prophet's first battle at Badr, and to distinguish themselves from the Abbasids (who used black). I do not know what has happened to my considerable effort that I offered to Mongoose, but I think it came out pretty good-looking. It came as a collaboration between some ideas that were tossed back and forth between myself and MGP staff and some art that I was able to use (crossed swords or sabres that I modified). I based it partially upon the Pan-Arab colors. While fictional, it can trace its roots to some real history. Since you are conveniently close to Mongoose Towers, go and ask Old Bear what he decided to use. As it is my effort graphically speaking, I'll be using it for my personal models and urban table, and have no problem if Mongoose either uses it officially or lets you have a look at it for your use. I would like any credit for the final form, with a note that it was in collaboration with Ian submitting a piece of art and positive critique that helped to form its final shape. I can post it for player use here, but I'll wait until I hear back what they said to you. Do me a favor and report back here, alright? 
Origin of the Pan-Arab Colours
Red :
The Khawarij were the first Islamic group to emerge after the assassination of Caliph Othman III, forming the first republican party in the early days of Islam. Their symbol was the red flag. Arab tribes who participated in the conquest of North Africa and Andalusia carried the red flag, which became the symbol of the Islamic rulers of Andalusia (756-1355).
In modern times, red symbolizes the Ashrafs [ie. Sharifians] of the Hejaz and the Hashemites, descendants of the Prophet.
Green: The Fatimid Dynasty (909-1171), North Africa
The Fatimid Dynasty was founded in Morocco by Abdullah Al-Mahdi, and went on rule all of North Africa. They took green as their colour, to symbolize their allegiance to Ali, the Prophet's cousin, who was once wrapped in a green coverlet in place of the Prophet in order to thwart an assassination attempt.
White: The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750), Damascus
The Umayyads ruled for ninety years, taking white as their symbolic colour as a reminder of the Prophet's first battle at Badr, and to distinguish themselves from the Abbasids, by using white, rather than black, as their colour of mourning. Mu'awia Ibn Abi Sufian (661-750), founder of the Umayyad state, proclaimed himself Caliph of Jerusalem.
Black: The Prophet Mohammad (570-632)
In the seventh century, with the rise of Islam and subsequent liberation of Mecca, two flags - one white, one black - were carried. On the white flag was written, "There is no god but God (Allah) and Mohammad is the Prophet of God."
In pre-Islamic times, the black flag was a sign of revenge. It was the colour of the headdress worn when leading troops into battle. Both black and white flags were placed in the mosque during Friday prayers.
The Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258), ruling from Baghdad, took black as a symbol of mourning for the assassination of relatives of the Prophet and in remembrance of the Battle of Karbala.
(Source: Evolution of the Arab Flag, by Mahdi Abdul Hadi, Amman, February 1986)
The colours of the Iranian flag are traditional, probably dating from at least the 18th century and they can be interpreted as representing the Islamic religion (green), peace (white), and courage (red). The were first designed in tricolour form in 1907. The flag's centrepiece formerly comprised a lion with a sword standing before a rising sun, with a crown above, but all traditional flags and banners were abolished after the abdication of the shah in 1979. Note that this flag is flown "right to left" ie with the flagpole on the right.
Red :
The Khawarij were the first Islamic group to emerge after the assassination of Caliph Othman III, forming the first republican party in the early days of Islam. Their symbol was the red flag. Arab tribes who participated in the conquest of North Africa and Andalusia carried the red flag, which became the symbol of the Islamic rulers of Andalusia (756-1355).
In modern times, red symbolizes the Ashrafs [ie. Sharifians] of the Hejaz and the Hashemites, descendants of the Prophet.
Green: The Fatimid Dynasty (909-1171), North Africa
The Fatimid Dynasty was founded in Morocco by Abdullah Al-Mahdi, and went on rule all of North Africa. They took green as their colour, to symbolize their allegiance to Ali, the Prophet's cousin, who was once wrapped in a green coverlet in place of the Prophet in order to thwart an assassination attempt.
White: The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750), Damascus
The Umayyads ruled for ninety years, taking white as their symbolic colour as a reminder of the Prophet's first battle at Badr, and to distinguish themselves from the Abbasids, by using white, rather than black, as their colour of mourning. Mu'awia Ibn Abi Sufian (661-750), founder of the Umayyad state, proclaimed himself Caliph of Jerusalem.
Black: The Prophet Mohammad (570-632)
In the seventh century, with the rise of Islam and subsequent liberation of Mecca, two flags - one white, one black - were carried. On the white flag was written, "There is no god but God (Allah) and Mohammad is the Prophet of God."
In pre-Islamic times, the black flag was a sign of revenge. It was the colour of the headdress worn when leading troops into battle. Both black and white flags were placed in the mosque during Friday prayers.
The Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258), ruling from Baghdad, took black as a symbol of mourning for the assassination of relatives of the Prophet and in remembrance of the Battle of Karbala.
(Source: Evolution of the Arab Flag, by Mahdi Abdul Hadi, Amman, February 1986)
The colours of the Iranian flag are traditional, probably dating from at least the 18th century and they can be interpreted as representing the Islamic religion (green), peace (white), and courage (red). The were first designed in tricolour form in 1907. The flag's centrepiece formerly comprised a lion with a sword standing before a rising sun, with a crown above, but all traditional flags and banners were abolished after the abdication of the shah in 1979. Note that this flag is flown "right to left" ie with the flagpole on the right.
Oh heck, I'll go ahead and post my flag. It's mine, after all . Although it doesn't look it, there was quite a bit of thought put into it. I used all four of the historic colors besides a modified version of the sword logo from MGP (I edited it to add the yellow highlights). This becomes a fictional flag then that doesn't relate even to a current computer game :wink: or any current Arabic or Persian flag. I kept my own personal feelings at bay while I made it, and kept my mind in the context of making a game prop (it wasn't easy!). After all, we are not at war with a third of the world's population. Hmm, maybe in the game we are? :shock: :lol: BTW, besides looking good, the star has precedence in other Arabic flags so I used it.
. Although it doesn't look it, there was quite a bit of thought put into it. I used all four of the historic colors besides a modified version of the sword logo from MGP (I edited it to add the yellow highlights). This becomes a fictional flag then that doesn't relate even to a current computer game :wink: or any current Arabic or Persian flag. I kept my own personal feelings at bay while I made it, and kept my mind in the context of making a game prop (it wasn't easy!). After all, we are not at war with a third of the world's population. Hmm, maybe in the game we are? :shock: :lol: BTW, besides looking good, the star has precedence in other Arabic flags so I used it.
emperorpenguin
Mongoose
Rob_alderman said:byram said:I FOUND IT I FOUND IT!!!!!!!
heres the MEAs flag:
Was the French flag at some point in time. :lol:
Nope this was the French flag
emperorpenguin
Mongoose
BuShips said:
Nice though I'd have used a crescent rather than a star and repositioned the black down the left side
emperorpenguin said:BuShips said:
Nice though I'd have used a crescent rather than a star and repositioned the black down the left side
Yes, but there are current Nations using a similar configuration (that's getting close to Kuwait there maybe) and I did want something unique. The MEA is supposed to be a coalition of various Islamic forces under a single flag. The five pointed star represents unity and independance and was used in past Arab Liberation flags. Interestingly, the crescent isn't actually on many of the historic flags so that does not preclude that I had to use it. Originally, I was just going to use a copy of the "Aqaba flag", or more properly called the Arab Revolt flag, but that flag was used officially by several nations in the 20th century. Like I said, it wasn't easy to come up with this design :wink:.
emperorpenguin
Mongoose
the only thing with the black at the top is the eye tends to ignore it and so all I see is the iranian flag with swords on it
Anyway just a minor niggle
Anyway just a minor niggle
