Flag of the Kingdom of Seythennia

The flag of the Kingdom of Seythennia, often referred to as the Seythennian flag, is the national flag of Seythennia. It consists of a blue and red field with a white hoist containing the country's coat of arms. Each color of the field is one half of the flag's height, and the hoist is one third of the flag's width. Due to the flag's proportions being 2:3, each color has an equal amount of space on the flag. The white represents independence and prosperity, the red represents the blood of martyrs, and the blue represents hope; the blue stripe being above the red represents the rising of hope after the war of independence.

History

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The current design of the flag of Seythennia is only its third; the change of the flag as a part of the Seythennian Reformation was the first change to the Seythennian flag in the nation's history, and generated a large amount of backlash. The design of the original flag was first used by revolutionaries in the Seythennian War of Independence, and was created by revolution leader Nikolaus Sey and subsequently adopted by revolutionary soldiers. The first physical flag was flown over the capital after victory, and is today kept in the St. Vincent Palace; its design was laid out in the Seythennian Constitution:

"The official national flag of the Federal Republic of Seythennia shall be that used by our Revolutionaries and Soldiers in the War, so that their Deeds will never become forgotten...this Flag is three times wider than half its height, on its hoist a white field from top to bottom measuring one-third the flag's width...in the center of this field is the Emblem of Our President and Hero Nikolaus Sey...on the final two-thirds are two equal horizontal stripes...the top blue and the bottom red."

The emblem associated with Sey is an eagle with a shield emblazoned with an Iron Cross, and was the national symbol of Seythennia until it was altered in the Reformation. As in the current flag, the white represented independence and prosperity, the red represented the blood spilled in the war for independence, and the blue represented hope; the blue stripe being above the red represented the rising of hope after the end of the war.

Design changes

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With the drastic changes in government as the country moved from federal republic to monarchy, the national flag was changed for the first time in the nation's history. The design of the new flag consisted of "a white field with, in the center, the coats of arms of the Archduchy of Seythennia, the Kingdom of New Marigeda, and the Principality of Marcolen; the coat of arms of St. Vincent; a kiwi; and the national symbol of Seythennia, with a black border, surrounded by eight black ermine-spots". The flag change sparked public protests across the nation, which were cited by Grand King Castor I as a "danger to national peace and security" to justify the new government's crackdown on civil liberties. Critics of the flag point out its complexity and monarchist connotations, as opposed to the previous flag's simplicity and unifying message; the republican organization Democratic Alliance called it "disgusting", saying "it tries to come off as unifying but ends up a divisive, uninspired mess and a disappointment to Seythennians everywhere". The previous flag had remained legal to use and was still in use by many Seythennians, especially republicans. Then-Prince Johann IX of Marcolen defended the flag, saying that it "has a certain beautiful charm... I will always love the historical flag, but our new flag isn't as bad as everyone seems to think".

A new ensign was also created, as previously the national flag acted as the ensign, as it does now. The design of the ensign was of "thirteen horizontal stripes alternating black and white; in the hoist, a squared black cross with the national symbol of Seythennia and the coat of arms of St. Vincent alternating diagonally in its corners". The ensign was also criticized, but to a lesser extent, with vexillologist Robert Lloyd calling it "an eyesore, but less so", but conceded that "the symbolism behind the stripes and cross is acceptable". By law, the ensign was required to fly over all Seythennian boats in international or foreign waters.

After the forced abdication of Grand King Castor I, the flag was again changed. This new flag is the same as that of the Federal Republic, but with the symbol of Nikolaus Sey replaced with the coat of arms. As the coat of arms has a variant including the country's motto, the national flag has a corresponding variant. The national flag with the motto inscribed is rarely, if ever, used by official entities, as official government policy as per the Royal Heraldry Department is to avoid flying flags containing Latin script text whenever possible.

Flying the flag

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The national flag of Seythennia, including the flag of the Federal Republic and/or Grand Kingdom, as well as those of any administrative divisions, may be flown by any individual or organization in Seythennia year-round, provided it is in the proper orientation and made to comply with the appropriate proportion and design. Flying the flag upside-down is considered a distress signal; doing so without just cause is considered lèse majesté and those who do so risk being fined or even prohibited from flying or owning flags altogether.

When on the same flagpole, Seythennian flags must be flown in this order, from top to bottom:

• National flag

• District flags

• Municipality flags

• Government flags
  

When on different flagpoles, Seythennian flags must be flown in the same order, but from left to right such that a flag would have the national flag on its right (the viewer's left).

Flag etiquette
The Seythennian Flag Laws outline guidelines for the use and display of the national flag.

When displayed vertically, the flag should be rotated 90° clockwise so that the hoist faces upwards. When the flag is affixed to a vehicle of any kind, or any physical object that moves, it should be oriented so that the fly streams towards the rear. On military or law enforcement uniforms, flag patches are worn on both shoulders, following the vehicle convention.

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless in response to a given salute, and it should also never be allowed to touch the ground. If a flag becomes tattered through wear, the flag should be repaired or replaced; worn flags can be turned in to a local government office for replacement free of charge. The Flag Laws prohibit use of the flag for non-governmental advertisement or business purposes, and "display of the flag on any item designed to be soiled, dirtied, or discarded after temporary use, such as napkins, handkerchiefs, towels, or boxes".

Penalty for violation of any of the Flag Laws usually incorporates fines, however individuals may be prohibited from flying or owning any flags and businesses may even be barred from operating within Seythennia.

Half-mast
The national flag is flown from government buildings at half-mast from the announcement of the death of the reigning monarch or other member of the Seythennian royal family through the day of their funeral, and every year on October 7, which marks the anniversary of the death of Nikolaus Sey.

The reigning monarch may sometimes declare other days when the flag is to fly at half-mast, such as in memory of the death of a government official.

See also

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• List of Seythennian flags